We would like to thank all that joined us at the intersection where the Economy and the Environment meet, and…
| Wednesday, June 17, 2009 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Mark your calendars! Add to Outlook or iCal Post Event Cocktails at 8:30 Cityscape Bar, 15th floor |
Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza Sauganash Grand Ballroom 350 West Mart Center Drive Chicago, Illinois 60654 map |
CELEBRATE
Eleven years of helping make the Great Lakes Region a Center of the Green Economy
The Delta Institute may have been in business for more than a decade, but its focus is entirely on the future.
In fact, Delta has some aggressive plans for the year 2020.
In the next decade, Delta’s work will reduce carbon emissions by 12 million tons, achieve green ratings for 100 buildings and generate a quarter billion dollars in investments for pollution prevention, remediation and reuse.
If that seems like a lot of numbers, what it really means is jobs. Creating jobs that will improve environmental quality and decrease greenhouse gases. Jobs that transform polluted urban wastelands into vibrant, profitable marketplaces.
That’s not wishful thinking.
Delta brings together business, industry, government and some of the nation’s clearest thinkers to solve complex problems. That’s why the State of Illinois asked Delta to create a carbon aggregation and trading program that allows conservation-minded farmers to sell their carbon emission reductions as offset credits and make money from the sale.
It’s why the owners of the world’s largest commercial property asked Delta for help when they decided to make the Merchandise Mart so green it went on to achieve LEED Silver.
Delta’s track record is remarkable because it understands that building better economies and reforming our relationship with the environment are one and the same.
You’re invited to help celebrate more than a decade of solid accomplishment and cheer Delta on as it embarks on its most ambitious agenda to date.
Please join us for the 2009 Partners in Change celebration.
Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, June 17th, 5-8 PM
LISTEN
Governor Pat Quinn will give opening remarks at the Partners in Change 2009 event.
Governor Quinn has a long-standing record on supporting the environment
and developing sustainable programs. Governor Quinn has worked on a
multitude of green initiatives, including Sustainable Universities,
2009 Sustainable Schools Symposium and the Illinois River Coordinating Council.
The Delta Institute is honored to host the Governor at our annual event.
Joel Makower is a familiar name to anyone concerned about having both a healthy environment and a healthy economy. For more than 20 years, Makower has been writing
on environment and business. He’s also been instrumental in helping companies achieve business success while being environmentally responsible.
We’ve asked Joel to speak at this year’s Partners in Change event because we think his perspective is so critical right now. In particular, Joel will be addressing the issue of the emerging green economy in the Great Lakes region.
In his most recent book, Strategies for the Green Economy, Makower explores the successes, failures, trends, and occasional absurdities of companies trying to prosper in the green economy. His stories take readers inside some of the best-known companies and brands, including Clorox, Coca Cola, General Motors, Patagonia, Starbucks, Stonyfield Farm, and Wal-Mart.
“We’ve got about 5,000 days to figure it out”, Makower says. That’s just over 13 years before the planet’s environment is damaged beyond repair. “Where’s the urgency”, he asks. “Where’s the audaciously big thinking?”
PROFIT
Getting right with the environment doesn’t mean giving up some of your company’s treasury. In fact, here at Delta we believe that adopting solid environmental practice is an excellent way to maximize profits and develop new business contacts.
That’s why we’re introducing the Green Business Development Center – the first of its kind in the country.
If you’re a businessperson, you already know that your customers are demanding an increasing level of environmental responsibility and sustainability in your products. You want less pollution generated in manufacturing, a product that uses less energy during its lifetime, and a high level of recyclability at the end of the product’s life.
And if you’re in the business of providing a service, your customers want sustainable products and practices used throughout your operation.
At the Green Business Development Center you’ll get help sorting through the many green choices to find the answers you need. With eleven years of deep experience under our belts, the Delta Institute staff is uniquely qualified to provide technical assistance specifically geared to your company, and to connect you with suppliers, incentives, mentors, and, yes, even financing.
The Center is opening soon at the heralded Green Exchange, a LEED-certified space for the region’s green businesses and organizations. Until then, the Center will be housed at Delta’s Chicago office.
The Green Business Development Center. Helping move the green marketplace from niche to mainstream.
LEARN
How did the world’s largest commercial building bring its ninety-year-old operation into LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) Silver compliance?
It took time, patience, determination and some talented partners.
Key among those partners was the Delta Institute, which signed on with the Merchandise Mart in 2005. The first step was an exhaustive study of the building’s operations and maintenance practices. The team evaluated building systems and equipment, energy and water usage, construction practices, waste management procedures, indoor air quality and opportunities for engaging building tenants. From there, Delta worked with the Mart’s staff on a work plan to update systems, policies and procedures to ensure LEED compliance. To prepare for the rigorous certification process, Delta was instrumental in securing a $75,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
After several busy months of data collection, calculations, coordination, and communication, the Mart achieved LEED-EB certification at the Silver level in the fall of 2007. At 4.2 million square feet, it is the largest and arguably the most multifaceted LEED-EB certified building in the world. It required an unprecedented level of cooperation between the property owners, all levels of building management and staff, many of its 561 tenants, and partners like the Delta Institute.
Delta helped improve recycling programs and develop green purchasing and cleaning policies. It helped bring about a green site maintenance plan, an indoor air quality management plan, and an updated construction standards manual. Delta helped forge comprehensive energy and water management plans, and, in close collaboration with the Mart’s tenants, adopted green events guidelines for tradeshows to reduce waste and educate visitors about green practices. For good measure, Delta also brought an I-GO hybrid car-sharing program to the building and developed content for “The Green Spot,” a permanent exhibit showcasing green products offered by the Mart’s tenants. The results have been impressive: the building enjoyed a 10% energy reduction in 2007 with continuous improvement post-certification; the occupant recycling rate is 63% and growing; staff are regularly trained on a Green Operations Guide; tours and presentations are in high demand from public and trade organizations; and the Mart has truly stepped into a leadership role as a green existing building.
And the partnership continues. Today, the collaboration has expanded to include 350 West Mart Center, the site of this year’s Partners in Change celebration. Constructed in the 1970’s and containing diverse commercial office tenants, the Chicago Apparel Center, and a Holiday Inn, the building presents a number of unique green operations and maintenance challenges. But the owners and management are committed to achieving LEED certification, and developing a sustainability plan for the entire Mart Center campus. And Delta is there helping make this ongoing green leadership a reality.
Read a recent article in Buildings Magazine about the Merchandise Mart
CONGRATULATE
This year’s Partners in Change award recipient, Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP
The Delta Institute builds - and thrives on – partnerships. Partners are working with us every day as we strive to make the Great Lakes region a center of the green economy.
From the beginning, no partner has been more valuable than Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP. They’ve provided free legal expertise in a wide range of disciplines, especially brownfield redevelopment, real estate transactions and contract execution.
Their invaluable help has guided us through the creation of our carbon trading program, and they continue to offer critical expertise as carbon offsets navigate the legislative process in Washington.
As Delta has moved forward creating new affiliates such as the Rebuilding Exchange and the P2E2 Center, Sonnenschein has been by our side, offering legal advice and legislative expertise.
We’re very proud of our association with Sonnenschein, with their 800 lawyers in 14 offices in the U.S. and Europe.
Sonnenschein’s motto is “Partnering for Progress”, and our long, constructive relationship with them is one of our proudest partnerships.
THANK
The Delta Institute would like to recognize our many sponsors and partners who help us accomplish our good work. We have updated our Partner list to reflect all of our new partners, please see them here:
NETWORK
