Better Project and Better Practice Awards | Better Buildings Initiative

2024 Better Practice Award Winners

The Better Practice award recognizes partners for implementing and promoting practices, principles, and procedures broadly within a portfolio or series of buildings or plants. Click the names below to learn more about each award winning practice.

Better Buildings

	Marriott International Implemented Climate Action Program for net-zero emissions, targeting climate risks and sustainable growth in 8,300+ hotels		The University of Alabama at Birmingham Prevented 685+ MTCO2e through efficient freezer fleet operations and waste reduction software
	MGM Resorts International Cut Las Vegas properties’ Scope 2 emissions by 41%, with a 323,000-panel solar farm		University of Virginia Green building standards require new construction and major renovations to be 40% more efficient than similar buildings
	Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) Increased energy, water, and waste efficiency through programs that train and engage incarcerated individuals		Vornado Realty Trust Implemented organics collection in 100% of in-service office portfolio, achieving 64% diversion, preventing 1,691 tons of food waste, and avoiding 14,887 MTCO2e
	San Diego, CA Implemented zero emissions policy and electrification planning for city buildings to meet climate action targets		The Wendy’s Company Energy Challenge program quadruples franchisee participation, achieving 14% energy use reduction per square feet and enabling cost savings

Better Plants

	General Mills Reduced emissions at 12 major sites by 45,000+ MTCO2e and utility costs by $8 million with no upfront cost using an energy efficiency as a service contract		Texas Instruments, Inc. Saved $5.3 million a year, reducing emissions by 27,000 MTCO2e, by implementing an LED Roadmap
	OxyChem Teamed with Industrial Assessment Centers from local universities to perform energy audits at local elementary schools		The Chemours Company Reduced energy intensity by 3.5% after launching a company-wide energy efficiency bonus metric
	Stellantis Saved over 2.8 million kWh in two months by implementing Energy Treasure Hunt surveys more quickly and at a higher rate		Toyota Motor North America, Inc. Dealership Environmental Excellence Program resulted in savings of $40,000+ by cutting energy use by 17% and water use by 23%

2024 Better Project Award Winners

The Better Project award recognizes outstanding accomplishments at individual facilities. Click on the names below to learn more about each award winning project.

Better Buildings

	Colorado State University Halved energy use at athletic complex with new ground source heat pump for heating and cooling		Pace University Uses 60% less energy in new mixed-use hub through sustainable design with efficient HVAC, and advanced lighting
	Centersquare Optimized data center cooling system by improving airflow and water temperature, saving over $100,000 annually		River Trails School District 26 Renovated 1960s school uses up to 60% less energy than conventional buildings and meets net zero energy building requirements
	New York City Housing Authority Leveraged passive house design, solar energy, and high-efficiency appliances in new affordable housing that also provides tenant support and workforce training		RXR Realty Achieved $1 million in energy savings via audits, system mapping, and improved heating/cooling system controls

Better Plants

	3M Cut steam use by 85,000+ Mlbs and emissions by 4,000+ MTCO2e with a wireless monitoring and communication system on 1,200 traps		Intralox Reduced the amount of waste produced in a highly utilized mold by over 60%, by modifying the existing mold with new technology.
	The Chemours Company Achieved over $1 million in annual savings on waste disposal costs by employing a distillation column		Nestlé Health Science Wisconsin nutritional drink factory saved 26+ million gallons of water annually with a reverse osmosis system
	EnerSys Reduced annual energy consumption at select plants by 20% after eliminating energy-intensive lead melting process while improving worker safety		Nissan North America Reduced air compressor electricity usage by 24% with an automated control system to increase system efficiency
	PepsiCo Foods North America Reduced 420 MTCO2e a year, 8% of the plant’s annual GHG emissions, by installing air-cooled compressors and adding heat recovery systems		The Sherwin-Williams Company Completed onsite solar project with rooftop and carport arrays, reducing plant’s carbon emissions by 680 MTCO2e annually
	FMC Corporation Multi-stage cooling tower project improved energy efficiency by 75% and cut water use by 25%		Trane Technologies Reduced annual water use by 53 million gallons using thermal energy storage, heat pump technology, and more
	General Motors Eliminated steam use and reduced carbon emissions by 30% with a CHP solution		Volvo Group North America Powertrain facility cut GHG emissions by 14% using renewable diesel (HVO100) for engine testing
	HNI Corporation Reduced natural gas consumption of paint ovens by up to 30% with new air curtains designed in-house		Waupaca Foundry, Inc. Saved 1,600+ MTCO2e annually with “Smart Controls” for exhaust fans, improving workplace conditions and reducing gas usage

Climate Finance Innovator Award Winners

The Climate Finance Innovator Award recognizes Financial Allies for deploying innovative decarbonization financing solutions that go beyond current market practices. Click on the names below to learn more about each award winning project.

	BlocPower Financed over $850,000 for upgrades saving 400,000+ kBtu/year in a historic building housing LMI tenants		RENEW Energy Partners Braided finance and incentives to enable a microchip manufacturer to install a Trigeneration system, reducing carbon emissions by 1,800 MT annually
	Ecosave, Inc. Financed over $6 million of building improvements at three senior living facilities, reducing energy costs by 30%+ over 15 years		Skyven Technologies Provided $9 million of braided private-public financing for upgrades at food processing sites saving 7,000 MTCO2e annually
	New York City Energy Efficiency Corporation (NYCEEC) Provided a $90,000 predevelopment loan to rehabilitate three residential buildings, estimated to save 3,900,000+ kBtu/year		Triple Bottom Line Foundation (TBL Fund) Financed over $1.5 million of building improvements at three HUD sites saving 1.4 Mlbs of carbon emissions annually
	PACE Equity Provided $11 million of C-PACE financing to redevelop a property with a projected 20,000 MT lifetime carbon emissions reduction

Past Award Winners

See last years Better Practice, Better Project Award Winners by clicking MORE.

2023
Better Buildings: Better Project			Better Plants: Better Project
Columbia Association Conversion to dual fuel heat pumps reduces natural gas consumption by about 70%			ABB A full capture system for sulfur hexafluoride emissions lowers ABB’s carbon footprint by 16%
Credit Human New 12-story headquarters building is nearly 65% more efficient than comparable buildings			Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems Wastewater recovery system for washing operations achieves Zero Discharge status
Empire State Realty Trust A long-term plan for carbon and energy reduction at the Empire State Building			The Chemours Company Boiler optimization reduces emissions by more than 1,200 MTCO2e per year
Foundation Communities Low-Income studio homes with a 180kW solar array and various efficiency measures			Cummins A 3.62 MW solar farm at the Rocky Mount Engine Plant reduces site electricity consumption by 6%
Mercy Housing A replicable case study for detecting water leaks through sensors and real-time monitoring			Hewlett Packard Enterprise CHP power plant reduces annual energy costs by over $2 million and improves resiliency
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Three-year facility project to cut emissions while reducing waste and energy and water use			Ingersoll Rand Die casting water reduction project reduces absolute water consumption by more than 23%
RiseBoro Community Partnership Affordable senior housing facility designed to the Passive House Standard			KYB Americas Corporation A new centralized chilled water system reduces annual energy use by 2.1 million kWh
Town of Southampton, NY Town Hall sustainability improvements reduce emissions by more than 210 MTCO2e per year			Nestlé USA Electrochemical water treatment technology saves energy and water, and reduces use of chemicals
			Saint-Gobain A customized smart EMS contextualizes energy used per product SKU number

Better Buildings: Better Practice			Better Plants: Better Practice
Allina Health Asset exchange platform reduces waste going to the landfill or incinerator			3M Converting to lithium-ion powered industrial vehicles to realize energy and emissions reductions
Atlanta Housing Authority A rent boost for landlords addresses the split incentive problem in low-income housing			AT&T Energy and building management solution manages over 240 million data points each day
Empire State Realty Trust Decarbonization plan that addresses water and waste reduction while prioritizing occupant health			The Chemours Company A roadmap to reduce fluorinated organic compound process emissions by 99% by 2030
Lendlease Energy solutions reduce average gross annual utility costs by nearly $20 million in two Hawaii communities spanning 10,000+ military homes			Eastman Chemical Company An organizational structure integrates the energy management and sustainability teams
Los Angeles Unified School District A pathway for achieving 100% clean renewable energy in all energy sectors by 2040			EnerSys A program to facilitate organizational change by fostering employee-driven opportunities
Louisville, KY Energy management program has saved more than $1.5 million since 2019			General Motors A self-paced Energy Treasure Map supplier program to achieve energy and water reduction
Maine Department of Corrections Portfolio-wide carbon reduction initiative includes pursuing 50001 Ready recognition at all facilities			The Sherwin-Williams Company Sustainability challenge engages early talent to drive energy and waste reduction
Pace University Coordinated energy management strategy reduced annual energy usage by nearly 20%			Steelcase, Inc. Step-by-step guidance to reduce manufacturing scrap waste and increase efficiency
University of Virginia Sustainable Labs Program decreases CO2e by more than 20% in energy-intensive lab buildings			Stryker An Energy Playbook to drive a pipeline of future energy and emissions-reduction projects
Village of Montour Falls, NY Solid waste reduction and diversion strategies prevent waste and sludge from entering landfills

See Better Project and Better Practice Award winners prior to 2023 here.