Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance

1. GHG emissions reduction goal

30% decrease by 2024

50% decrease by 2034

80% decrease by 2050

2. Det buildings are 35% of GHG emitters

3. Benchmarking is the most data-driven method of identifying and tracking energy reduction. 

In November of 2023, City Council unanimously passed the Benchmarking Ordinance, requiring buildings with over 25,000 square feet of space to annually report their energy and water usage to the City.

Benchmarking buildings is a critical step in sustainability, as residential and commercial buildings. According to the 2023 Detroit Climate Strategy, they account for more than 35% of Greenhouse Gas emissions in the city of Detroit. That’s over 1/3 of emissions!

This ordinance aligns with the 2019 Detroit Sustainability Action Agenda, the 2023 Detroit Climate Strategy, the 2022 MI Healthy Climate Plan, and the 2016 UN Paris Agreement. 

The first step to reducing energy and water waste, and green house gas emissions is benchmarking energy and water usage.

Benchmarking and energy use tracking alone is a proven way to save energy! According to the American Cities Climate Challenge, buildings that benchmark their energy reduce their energy use by 7%.

Compliance Information​

When our buildings are energy efficient, owners and tenants will save money, businesses  will reduce operating costs, and  greenhouse gas emissions that threaten our air and climate will be reduced.​

​​

In order to gain these benefits across Detroit, we need to know how energy efficient buildings are performing and share that information with the community. This is why establishing an effective program to increase energy efficiency improvements in Detroit’s commercial and multifamily buildings is a priority. ​