Downtown D.C.’s built environment and infrastructure are the backbone of its competitiveness as a sustainable place to invest, work, live and visit. Its transportation infrastructure provides unparalleled access from all parts of the D.C. region. This access is a key competitive advantage in attracting workers, visitors and residents. Its commercial buildings lead the nation in energy efficiency and green roof performance. By reducing energy, water and infrastructure costs through better building and infrastructure performance, financial savings are realized through lower operating costs. This leads to improved affordability for residents and businesses alike, critical objectives for a sustainable city.
The District’s Sustainable DC Plan outlined building and infrastructure performance goals for Downtown using 2012 as the baseline year. By 2032, Sustainable DC aims for (1) city energy consumption to be reduced by 50 percent and (2) 75 percent of all commutes to be made by walking, biking or public transit. Continued private sector investments in smarter buildings, incentives for tenants to more efficiently operate their spaces and increases in public transit investments will be required to reach these goals by 2032.