A recent report released by the City of Seattle’s Office of Sustainability and Environment reveals that Seattle’s benchmarked buildings are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saving money, and improving performance. Highlights of the report include a reduction in energy use by 3.7% and decreased total carbon emissions by nearly 5% in buildings that benchmark.

Seattle’s Energy Benchmarking ordinance requires owners of commercial and multifamily buildings 20,000 sq. ft. and larger to track their energy performance and report it annually to the City of Seattle. While benchmarked buildings have reduced emissions and saved energy, the City’s building boom means more savings are needed to meet the City’s ambitious climate goals.