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Opportunity
Reduce carbon footprint across the district
Foundational to our success in reducing our carbon footprint is the deployment of renewable energy resources throughout our portfolio. We envision a continued shift towards more efficient schools that approach net zero energy use. -
Goals
Transition to 100 percent renewable sources for electricity by 2025
We are assessing the potential for shifting to renewable energy by seeking power purchase agreements with renewable energy suppliers.Reduce by 45 percent by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 when compared to 2019 baseline
Emissions reductions will mostly come from the investments we are making in renewable energy and improved energy efficiency. -
Strategy
- All new construction projects will be designed and constructed to be “solar ready” as specified in the updated CPS Construction and Design Guidelines.
- Install and encourage electric vehicle charging stations at new and existing buildings.
Program Details
Renewable energy sources include sunlight, wind, hydropower, and geothermal heat. Renewable energy does not produce harmful emissions and, in the case of photovoltaics, can be readily installed on buildings.
Electrification leads to a greener future by making a larger amount of infrastructure available to be powered by renewable energy. In the long term, we envision a continued shift towards more efficient schools that approach net zero energy use. Net Zero Schools are low energy buildings coupled with renewable energy.
We also recognize the importance of electrification, particularly when advocating for renewable energy. At CPS, and across Chicago, natural gas powers cooking and heating appliances. Natural gas is not a renewable resource and CPS annually generates the CO2 equivalent of nearly 900 railcars worth of coal from using natural gas.
Energy and Sustainability Programs
View more sustainability programs that are helping to reduce consumption of energy and increase the renewable resources used throughout the district.