The windy city is the third biggest city in USA, only surpassed by LA and NY.
In a recent national survey Chicago crowned 13th most sustainable city in the US (of the 200 biggest US cities).
Chicago is a practitioner of leadership in sustainability.
On food and transit, Chicago is excelling. City buildings and the Chicago Transit Authority have resolved to implement 100% renewable energy within the next 20 years, based on the report, and Chicago also grows more than five million square feet of green-roof coverage.
4TH
NUMBER OF GREEN RESTAURANTS
7TH
TRANSIT SCORE
10TH
THRIFT SHOPPER FRIENDLINESS
17TH
NUMBER OF INCENTIVES & POLICIES SUPPORTING RENEWEABLES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
34TH
NUMBER OF ZERO-ENERGY BUILDINGS
But, challenges remain and are faced with great care.
The City of Chicago leads the way in innovative environmental initiatives, and sustainability is a key focus of Chicago’s policies. From the Chicago Climate Action Plan’s broad leadership to the City’s targeted energy efficiency investments, Chicago is integrating sustainability in the places residents work, live, learn, and play while preparing for a resilient future.
A warming climate has led to drastic swings in the water levels of Lake Michigan. Warmer temperatures lead to more evaporation and record-low water levels. Colder temperatures mean reduced evaporation and greater ice cover resulting in record-high water levels. In Chicago, an unstable polar vortex equates to frigid winters and rising levels in Lake Michigan.
However, implementing sustainability in your next MICE project to Chicago is easy peasy.
GREEN SEAL
A city-wide Green Hotels Initiative has encouraged hotels to become more energy-efficient and change back-room operations to minimize their impact on the environment. The nonprofit organization Green Seal has certified many local hotels for their role in minimizing waste, conserving water, and promoting energy savings; among those getting the highest marks are the Hotel Allegro, Hotel Burnham, Hotel Felix, InterContinental Chicago, Hotel Monaco, and Talbott Hotel.
GREEN CITY MARKET
A focus on locally produced, organic ingredients has become a hallmark of the city’s top chefs. Following the lead of well-known chefs such as Charlie Trotter, Bruce Sherman of North Pond, and Paul Kahan of Blackbird, more and more local restaurateurs are highlighting seasonal ingredients on their menus, and the Green City Market has become a popular shopping destination for both culinary professionals and local foodies.
CHOOSE CHICAGO
Chicago’s Sustainability Special is part of our 2023 theme around practicing leadership with regards to considering the impact of Incentive travel on local economies and communities.
Read our manifest here
Where others think vertical, we think horizontal. And vice versa. Let us surprise you with lateral thinking for you next MICE program.
ALWAYS SIDEWAYS.
So here you have it.
Design a sustainable MICE project with us.
TAKE A SIDEWAY
Fill in our webform and we’ll navigate to the most suitable road for your next sustainable group program.
Or let us take you back to our collection of more relevant developments