CEJN Statement on Building Decarbonization Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Carlos Enriquez, CEJN, cenriquez@chicagoejn.org 815-342-5717

Courtney Hanson, PCR, courtney@pcrchi.org, 308-631-8543

Environmental Justice Groups Welcome City of Chicago Report on Building Decarbonization, Advocate for Creation of Accountability Board

CHICAGO, IL (October 13, 2022) – The City of Chicago has released a much anticipated report on Building Decarbonization. The report includes 26 policy recommendations on the reduction of fossil fuels emissions for both new and existing buildings.

This report follows the establishment of the city’s Building Decarbonization Policy Working Group established in June 2021 to recommend equitable solutions to address emissions coming from buildings in Chicago. The working group included 54 stakeholders and a project team of city staff.

According to studies, Chicago buildings produce close to 70 percent of the city’s current emissions. Studies also show that larger buildings are responsible for approximately 20 percent of these total emissions. As part of Chicago’s 2022 Climate Action Plan, the city has committed to reducing emissions 62 percent by 2040, as well as committing to a goal of powering buildings with 100 percent renewable electricity by 2035.

Earlier this year, the Lightfoot administration along with the Chicago Department of Buildings introduced a building energy code to ensure that new buildings would meet long term climate goals. Environmental Justice organizations celebrated this energy code, while also championing the fact that the city will need to prioritize retrofitting older buildings in order to guarantee that any decarbonization policy addresses the needs of working-class and lower income Black and brown communities on the South and West side of the city.

Environmental Justice advocates also argue the creation of a Community Accountability Board should be added as a recommendation in order to ensure equitable legislation. This Board would help oversee implementation of policy as well as resource allocation so that the communities most in need can access resources as well as financial assistance programs.

The following is a statement from Courtney Hanson, People For Community Recovery Deputy Director:

“Chicagoans are struggling everyday to pay high utility bills and to manage the impacts from poor indoor air quality and fossil fuel combustion. It’s crucial to prioritize the transition to cleaner and cheaper energy in the homes of the families that stand to benefit the most. This report lays a great foundation but we still have a lot of work ahead to ensure any resulting policies center equity. It’s critical to create a pathway for community experts to design and oversee how these policies get rolled out in their communities through the formation of a community accountability board. We also need to prioritize retrofits to existing buildings while also addressing new construction as most frontline communities aren’t seeing much new development ”

The following is a statement from Yessenia Balcazar, Southeast Environmental Task Force Senior Resilient Community Planning Manager:

"Disinvested communities are one of the most impacted by the effects of climate change, making it critical that they are not left out of the narrative when it comes to creating policy that works to combat it. The recommendations that are laid out here are a step in the right direction, however it is missing an important piece in the case of a Community Accountability Board, which would not only work to oversee the implementation of these policies, but would be composed of key stakeholders within these communities."

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