Cook County Meets First Greenhouse Gas Emissions Goal 7 Years Ahead of Schedule

County Publishes 2024 Energy and Water Benchmarking Report Highlighting Major Sustainability Milestones in Energy and Water Conservation

(Cook County, IL) - The Cook County Bureau of Asset Management (BAM) announced today significant advancements in sustainability and resource efficiency, as highlighted in the 2024 Energy and Water Benchmarking Report. Based on 2023 data, the report highlights Cook County's leadership in energy efficiency, water conservation and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction.

Among the highlights in the report, Cook County achieved a key Clean Energy Plan goal seven years ahead of schedule. The original goal was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in County-owned buildings by 45% in 2030 (from a 2010 baseline). As of 2023, Cook County far exceeded this target, achieving a 49% reduction in GHG emissions.

“I’m extremely proud of the hard work of my staff to set forth ambitious goals and exceed them. I believe that the only way we can tackle the risks of climate change is through immediate and aggressive action at every level possible.” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. “Reducing greenhouse gas emissions at our facilities through energy reductions and mechanical upgrades ensures a cleaner energy future for our communities.”

Additional key achievements include:

• 86% of benchmarked properties reported reduced energy consumption.
• An energy project at the Cook County Building is estimated to save over 1.4 million kilowatt-hours.
• LED upgrades at the Department of Corrections are projected to save nearly 800,000 kilowatt-hours.
• 47% of County properties decreased water usage, contributing to an overall 19% reduction in total water consumption compared to 2022.

The County continues to drive progress through initiatives like the Green Buildings Program and the Clean Energy Plan, which serve as frameworks for achieving measurable sustainability goals. Recently, Cook County also exceeded its 2025 energy reduction target, achieving a 25% reduction in energy use intensity from a 2013 baseline. This accomplishment earned recognition at the 2023 Better Buildings Summit.

Looking ahead, Cook County remains focused on electrification, renewable energy adoption and infrastructure upgrades. Future plans include implementing findings from decarbonization studies, expanding smart water meter technology and advancing the Better Climate Challenge goal of a 50% GHG emissions reduction by 2034 (from a 2018 baseline).

Cook County was one of the first counties in the nation to require benchmarking of County-owned facilities to track energy and water usage. These efforts support the ambitious goals outlined by President Toni Preckwinkle of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and transitioning to 100% renewable electricity by 2030.

For more information and the full report, visit www.cookcountyil.gov/benchmarking.