2013-2014 Challenge Impacts

The second yearlong Challenge, then known as the Green Workplace Challenge, started on June 1, 2013. Across southwestern Pennsylvania, 51 organizations completed 1,668 sustainability actions. Winners were recognized at the competition Finale and Awards Celebration on June 25, 2014.

Participating organizations saved nearly 27 million kWh of energy. At the time of competition close (May 31, 2014), that was enough energy to power every occupied home in the Bluff, Friendship, Glen Hazel, Polish Hill and Regent Square for an entire year.

From energy savings alone, participants saved more than $2.1 million. Factoring in the estimated societal costs of climate change from energy-related carbon emissions, the savings exceeded $2.2 million. The "social cost" is a conservative estimate of the costs associated with climate change caused by one ton of carbon in a given year. Social cost can include damage from storms, increased pressure on infrastructure, reduced agricultural productivity and impacts on human health.

2013-2014 Challengers also saved over 5 million gallons of water. This amount of water would fill 8 Olympic-size swimming pools, with more water to spare.