The Climate Group today announce announced an unprecedented program to link major businesses with an array of non-profit organizations to launch a comprehensive "greening" initiative in the city of Chicago in collaboration with Chicago’s 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralymipc games bid.
Pat Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016, and Chris Walker, North America Director of The Climate Group today unveiled details of the joint Chicago 2016 – The Climate Group initiative at a local conference on climate change.
“The Midwest is an important region in the US for addressing climate change,” said Chris Walker, North America Director with The Climate Group. “The large populations of its major cities offer a tremendous opportunity to achieve substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Chicago is at the heart of the region, and has a proven track record for its commitment to environmental responsibility, which makes taking action here key to addressing the issue and becoming a model for the region and the rest of the country.”
"The bid puts a great emphasis on environmental protection as it is on of the three pillars of the Olympic movement. We are proud, not only of the leadership shown by Mayor Daley and the City of Chicago environmental initiatives such as: the green roofs program but also the contribution from our Chicago 2016 Environmental Advisory Committee, who developed the idea of 21st century green centers, “ said Patrick G. Ryan, Chicago 2016 Chairman and CEO. “The concept of green centers fits perfectly with our venue development plan, a plan that focuses on responsible use of our sports venue and minimal environmental impact."
Under the plan announced today, the Chicago 2016 initiative will form a coalition with established non-profit organizations which will work with the business community to identify, and then commit to creating a series of “21st Century Green Urban Centers.” The centers will be located around the city’s potential Olympic venues, creating innovative green spaces that demonstrate Chicago’s commitment to climate action. The program will seek to create a greener Chicago, with the objective of offering a more "green" Olympic bid for the city.
The initiative will invite participation of major businesses based in Chicago, as well as national companies that have a presence in the Chicago area. Partnering with well-established non-profit environmental organizations to create these plans will help to ensure the programs deliver tangible and credible results.
The non-profit organizations involved in the initiative include ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, the Environmental Law & Policy Center, the Center for Neighborhood Technology and Friends of the Chicago River.
"ICLEI is pleased to be a partner in this program and to further advance the greening of Chicago," said Amy Malick, Director of the Midwest Region for ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability. "Through our office at the Chicago Department of Environment, ICLEI continues to explore new climate protection strategies for Chicago and hundreds of other local governments in the Midwest, across the country and around the world."
“We’re excited to work with the Climate Group and Chicago 2016 to deploy environmental solutions in Chicago’s communities for the Olympics and beyond,” said Kathryn Tholin, CEO of the Center for Neighborhood Technology. “Energy efficiency, clean and renewable power, new forms of transportation, including car sharing, and expanded green infrastructure not only reduce our carbon footprint but save money for residents, businesses, and government. In partnership with the business community, we can advance these solutions to lower carbon emissions, improve the quality of life, and reduce the cost of living in Chicago.”
“Chicago is becoming a center of the emerging green economy and the nation’s greenest city," said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “We should put those principles into practice by greening the Olympics in the many ways that make good sense."
This new undertaking in Chicago is another example of how by joining together, companies, government and non-profit organizations can deliver impressive results.
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About The Climate Group
The Climate Group (www.theclimategroup.org) is an independent, nonprofit organization that works with government and business leaders to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Its coalition of proactive leaders – from government, business and NGOs – has demonstrated that the emissions reductions needed to stop climate change can be achieved while boosting profitability and competitiveness. Companies, states, regions and cities around the world are realizing there are significant economic as well as environmental advantages of taking decisive action now. The Climate Group was founded in 2004 and has offices in the UK, US, China, India and Australia.
For further information about the Climate Group, please contact:
Neal McGrath
Communications Director, North America
Tel: 1 646 233 0554
Cell: 1 609 672 1897
nmcgrath@theclimategroup.org
About Chicago 2016
Chicago 2016 is a 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is to seek the privilege of hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Chicago. The committee’s board comprises business, civic, athletic, cultural and academic leaders representing Chicago and the surrounding Midwest region. Patrick Ryan serves as chairman and CEO.
About ICLEI
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability is an international association of local governments and national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. More than 815 cities, towns, counties, and their associations worldwide comprise ICLEI's growing membership. ICLEI works with these and hundreds of other local governments through international performance-based, results-oriented campaigns and programs.
About the Environmental Law & Policy Center
The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) is the Midwest's leading public interest environmental advocacy organization working to achieve cleaner energy resources and implement sustainable energy strategies, promote innovative and efficient transportation and land use approaches that produce cleaner air and more jobs, and develop sound environmental management practices that conserve natural resources and improve the quality of life in our communities. One of ELPC’s premises is that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together. Our projects around the Midwest put that policy belief into practice.
About Friends of the Chicago River
Friends of the Chicago River is the only organization solely dedicated to the Chicago River. Since 1979, Friends has been working to improve the health of the Chicago River for the benefit of people and wildlife and by doing so, has laid the foundation for the river to be a beautiful, continuous, easily accessible corridor of open space in the Chicago region.
About Center for Neighborhood Technology
The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) is a leader in promoting urban sustainability—the more effective use of existing resources and community assets to improve the health of natural systems and the wealth of people, today and in the future. CNT is a creative think-and-do tank that combines rigorous research with effective solutions. CNT works across disciplines and issues, including transportation and community development, energy, natural resources, and climate change.