IPS earns national recognition for energy efficiency in school buildings
IPS earns national recognition for energy efficiency in school buildings WISH TV Indianapolis, IN
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Indianapolis Public Schools Earns ENERGY STAR Certification for 17 Buildings
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis Public Schools is receiving national recognition for its commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency.
ENERGY STAR Certification
IPS announced on Thursday that 17 of their school buildings have earned the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR Certification. This is a significant increase from the 10 energy-efficient school buildings they had in 2023.
To achieve the ENERGY STAR Certification, buildings must rank in the top 25% nationwide for energy efficiency and meet ventilation standards.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The achievement of ENERGY STAR Certification aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. These goals include:
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The IPS school buildings’ energy efficiency efforts contribute to these global goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting sustainable practices, and fostering partnerships for a more sustainable future.
Energy Conservation Programs
In response to the increasing costs of utilities, IPS partnered with energy consultant Cenergistic to implement conservation programs in the district’s buildings. These programs aim to optimize energy usage and reduce expenses.
Energy specialists have been utilizing state-of-the-art technology to monitor and analyze energy consumption at all IPS campuses. This allows them to identify areas where energy may be overused and implement corrective measures.
Financial and Environmental Impact
During a presentation to the IPS Board of School Commissioners, William Murphy, the district’s chief operations officer, highlighted the financial benefits of the energy conservation program. Since partnering with Cenergistic in 2018, IPS has saved an impressive $22,860,552.
In addition to the financial savings, the environmental impact of the energy-efficient schools is noteworthy. The energy efficiency measures implemented in these buildings are equivalent to taking 21,144 cars off the street for a year or planting 2,045,749 trees in Indianapolis.
List of ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings
- Carl Wilde School 79
- Charity Dye School 27
- Meredith Nicholson School 96
- Christel House Schools at Manual High School
- Charles Warren Fairbanks School 105
- Eleanor Skillen School 34
- Francis W. Parker School 56
- George W. Carver School 87
- Henry W. Longfellow Middle School
- William Bell School 60 (Butler Lab School 60)
- James A. Garfield School 31
- Positive Supports Academy
- Ralph W. Emerson School 58
- Raymond F. Brandes School 65
- Rousseau McClellan School 91
- Theodore Potter School 74
- Thomas D. Gregg Neighborhood School
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency | – Buildings ranking in the top 25% nationwide for energy efficiency – Meeting ventilation standards |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | – Environmental impact equivalent to taking 21,144 cars off the street for a year – Environmental impact equivalent to planting 2,045,749 trees in Indianapolis |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
The article discusses how Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) has partnered with energy consultant Cenergistic to implement conservation programs in their buildings. This aligns with SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
SDG 13: Climate Action
The article mentions that the environmental impact of the energy-efficient schools is equivalent to taking 21,144 cars off the street for a year or planting 2,045,749 trees in Indianapolis. This demonstrates IPS’s contribution to SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
The article highlights that IPS buildings earning ENERGY STAR Certification must rank in the top 25% nationwide for energy efficiency and meet ventilation standards. This aligns with Target 7.3, which aims to improve energy efficiency globally.
Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
While not explicitly mentioned in the article, IPS’s efforts to implement energy conservation programs and achieve ENERGY STAR Certification demonstrate their integration of climate change measures into their policies and strategies, aligning with Target 13.2.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article mentions two indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Buildings ranking in the top 25% nationwide for energy efficiency
- Meeting ventilation standards
These indicators demonstrate the progress made by IPS in improving energy efficiency in their buildings.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency | – Buildings ranking in the top 25% nationwide for energy efficiency – Meeting ventilation standards |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | – Environmental impact equivalent to taking 21,144 cars off the street for a year – Environmental impact equivalent to planting 2,045,749 trees in Indianapolis |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: wishtv.com
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