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Indianapolis sustainability director describes 'Thriving Buildings' benchmarking ordinance and lessons for Carmel
Summary
Mo McReynolds, interim director of the Office of Sustainability for the City of Indianapolis, outlined Indianapolis’ Thriving Buildings benchmarking ordinance and related programs to the Carmel Climate Action Advisory Committee on Feb. 25, describing phased reporting for buildings over 50,000 square feet, data-jam technical assistance, and a financing approach using a green bank and a proposed revolving fund.
Mo McReynolds, interim director of the Office of Sustainability for the City of Indianapolis, outlined Indianapolis’ Thriving Buildings program and benchmarking ordinance to the Carmel Climate Action Advisory Committee on Feb. 25. McReynolds said the city requires buildings over 50,000 square feet to benchmark energy and water use, report in phases over five years, and expects broader public transparency and limited fines once implementation advances.
The presentation matters because McReynolds said buildings account for about two-thirds of Indianapolis’ greenhouse gas emissions — “about 65%” — making building energy use a top target for local decarbonization. She said benchmarking helps owners identify cost-saving upgrades and spurs market-driven improvements.
McReynolds said Indianapolis developed the ordinance after participating in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ American Cities Climate Challenge and working with stakeholders across 2020–2021. “We are on our way to decarbonizing our buildings, but there’s still quite a lot to do,” McReynolds…
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