Energy and Sustainability

Our Mission

To conserve, protect and sustain resources to provide healthy and high-performing facilities, bring real-world sustainability challenges and solutions into the classroom, and encourage community engagement to address climate change.

Our Approach

Chicago Public Schools' first climate action plan lays the foundation for how we will do our part to mitigate climate change. We seek to optimize energy savings, meet renewable goals, and reduce carbon emissions by implementing, maintaining, and expanding a variety of sustainability solutions across the district.

Climate Action Plan

The 2021-23 CPS Climate Action Plan is a milestone in supporting energy and sustainability efforts throughout the district. It highlights how we will meet the challenges of climate change and identifies how we will do our part to mitigate our impact on the planet. With this plan, we are helping our future leaders understand the importance of addressing the climate crisis, resource depletion, and other inequities in our communities.

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Energy plan

Climate Action Plan

The 2021-23 CPS Climate Action Plan is a milestone in supporting energy and sustainability efforts throughout the district. It highlights how we will meet the challenges of climate change and identifies how we will do our part to mitigate our impact on the planet. With this plan, we are helping our future leaders understand the importance of addressing the climate crisis, resource depletion, and other inequities in our communities.

View Plan (English) View Plan (Spanish)

Sustainability Programs

Learn about how we're working to reduce climate impact through our sustainability projects and strategies.

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Case Studies

Discover how energy, sustainability, and conservation efforts are making a difference for Chicago Public Schools.

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Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change

Our role in a global effort

Chicago Climate Action Plan

CPS supports the Climate Action Plan drafted by the city of Chicago, which has joined 96 cities around the world in setting ambitious goals to protect and strengthen communities, locally and globally.

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City of Chicago

Better Buildings Initiative

CPS has partnered with the Department of Energy on its Better Buildings Initiative to support energy efficiency by accelerating investment and sharing successful best practices.

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Building with trees

Building Better School Infrastructure

CPS is participating in the the Biden-⁠Harris Action Plan for Building Better School Infrastructure, a White House initiative that seeks to upgrade public schools with modern, clean, energy efficient facilities and transportation.

White House

Chicago Public Schools is actively developing a comprehensive, district-wide Sustainability Action Plan, with anticipation for its official release by the start of the 2026–2027 school year.

Contact

For more information about Energy and Sustainability at CPS, contact Energy and Sustainability Staff, at energy@cps.edu.