Mayor Walsh announces three new carbon cup participants

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced AvalonBay Communities, Sheraton Boston Hotel and Vertex Pharmaceuticals as the three newest participants in the Greenovate Boston Mayor's Carbon Cup. Their participation represents an aggressive commitment to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2020. Mayor Walsh recognized their commitments at a Green Ribbon Commission meeting this morning.

"I thank AvalonBay Communities, Sheraton Boston Hotel, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals for their partnership in helping Boston achieve our greenhouse gas reduction goals," said Mayor Walsh. "Boston is committed to being a leader in our efforts to address climate change, and those efforts would be impossible without these significant commitments from community partners."

The Mayor's Carbon Cup, launched in April 2014, recognizes the major commitments of large organizations, including hospitals, universities and commercial building portfolios. To date, there are 10 participants in the Mayor's Carbon Cup, which have collectively committed approximately 23.9 million square feet to a 35 percent greenhouse gas emission reduction.

"The GRC applauds AvalonBay Communities, Sheraton Boston Hotel and Vertex Pharmaceuticals for committing to the Mayor's Carbon Cup Challenge, which calls for reducing carbon emissions from buildings at an even faster pace than called for in the Boston Climate Action Plan," said John Cleveland, Executive Director of the GRC.

"Commercial buildings comprise over half of the city's greenhouse gas emissions. Thanks to these business leaders, and the innovative policies, programs, and community engagement around climate preparedness by the Mayor's office, Boston is a global model for building strong cross-sector partnerships aimed at slowing the causes of climate changes."

The three new participants each represent the first of their sector to enroll in the Mayor's Carbon Cup. Other Carbon Cup participants and winners are: Partners HealthCare-Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston University, Harvard University (within Boston city limits), Partners HealthCare-Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Medical Center, Boston Properties, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.  

"We're excited to have Avalon, Sheraton, and Vertex step up as climates leaders in their respective sectors," said Austin Blackmon, Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space. "We hope to see others follow their lead."

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.