Mayor Walsh announces newest participants in Mayor's Carbon Cup

BOSTON - Monday, June 15, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today recognized Boston Properties and Boston Medical Center as the two newest participants in the Greenovate Boston Mayor’s Carbon Cup. The recognition took place at the Green Ribbon Commission meeting, held this morning. The Mayor’s Carbon Cup recognizes the commitments of large organizations--hospitals, universities and commercial building portfolios--to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 35 percent by 2020.

“I thank Boston Properties and Boston Medical Center for joining the variety of organizations helping our City reach its climate goals,” said Mayor Walsh. “Carbon Cup participants and winners are setting exemplary efforts to demonstrate that achieving a vibrant and sustainable Boston is attainable.”

The Mayor’s Carbon Cup, launched in April 2014, has a total of six participants to date, which have collectively committed approximately 19.2 million square feet to a 35 percent greenhouse gas emission reduction.

The new participants, Boston Properties and Boston Medical Center, have both committed to a 35 percent reduction in GHG emissions per square foot across 1.5 million square feet and 2.8 million square feet by 2020 respectively. Other Carbon Cup participants and winners are: Partners HealthCare-Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston University, Harvard University (within Boston city limits) and Partners HealthCare-Massachusetts General Hospital.

“Boston is home to thousands of large buildings and institutions, and they present a great opportunity for a significant emissions reduction,” said Austin Blackmon, Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space.“The Carbon Cup program strengthens the idea that, collectively, we can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and achieve our targets.”

In order for the City of Boston to reach its citywide goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by 25 percent by 2020, large building portfolios will need to lead by aiming for a higher GHG reduction target. Those pledging to the Carbon Cup commitment must enroll at least 1 million square feet and commit to a 35 percent reduction in GHG intensity. Pledges may choose 2005, or the next earliest available year with energy data, as a baseline. The Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) establishes the reporting framework for easy participation in the Mayor’s Carbon Cup. Through BERDO, the City will track year-over-year progress towards each portfolio’s goal.

The City of Boston welcomes new participants in the Cup. For more information, visit http://www.greenovateboston.org/carbon_cup.

About The Green Ribbon Commission

The Boston Green Ribbon Commission, formed in 2011 and now co-chaired by Mayor Walsh, is a group of business, institutional and civic leaders in Boston working to develop shared strategies for fighting climate change in coordination with the City’s Climate Action Plan. Visit http://www.greenribboncommission.org for details.

About Greenovate Boston

Greenovate Boston is a community-driven movement to get all Bostonians involved in reducing the city's greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050, as outlined in the City's Climate Action Plan. By laying out the necessary steps to reduce the causes of and to prepare for climate change, the Climate Action Plan gives Greenovate Boston a Framework for building a greener, healthier and more prosperous city. Visit http://greenovateboston.org for details.