The Future City is Sustainable: How Environmental Stewardship Will Lead the Way

By Lisa Brown, National Senior Director, Strategy, Local Government & Municipal Infrastructure, Johnson Controls, Building Solutions North America

Everyone wants to create a city or community that leads the way in innovation and future-ready implementations. But what leaders often don’t realize is that in the age of virtual connection, they’re competing on a global stage. In order to effectively compete, they need to embrace sustainability.

Sustainable cities and communities are ultimately going to draw in citizens and visitors who are actively seeking out green communities. Leaders that understand this are building microgrids, implementing water conservation measures like meters and treatment plants and are embracing renewable energy technology. They’re leading the way and creating spaces that are on the cutting edge.

Unfortunately, there’s often a lag between government and cities wanting to extend their stewardship and actually embracing the municipal updates that can make it happen. Not enough leaders are making the updates needed to create sustainable, future-ready communities.

At the Deloitte Renewable Energy Conference, we discussed how leaders who are ready to make investments in these upgrades are often at a loss for where to start. What will have the most impact, and set their community up for a sustainable future?

For these leaders, the best place to start is smart, connected buildings. Implementing intelligent, connected technologies – from LED lighting to building automation systems (BAS) – in municipal buildings ensures they are operating at peak performance for less energy input. 30 percent of an entity’s carbon footprint is improved by making building upgrades – imagine the impact of an entire city taking this statistic to heart?

The cities and municipalities that pave the way on a global stage will absolutely be the ones that embrace sustainability and make environmental stewardship a core value. Whether they’re building microgrids or taking it one smart building at a time, cities can’t afford not to make sustainability a priority.

To learn more about how city leaders can lead the way in sustainability, listen to the full panel discussion, exclusively on The Solar Maverick with Benoy Thanjan podcast