“As the largest consumer of energy in the U.S. economy, the federal government can and should lead by example when it comes to creating innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, conserve water, reduce waste, and use environmentally responsible products and technologies,” said President Obama. This EO is an attempt to make operational the concept of sustainability. By pushing the integration of environmental, energy, and transportation indicators, the EO combines into one strategy the core elements of sustainability.

Achieving renewable energy targets will involve increased deployment of some technologies, while phasing out others.  Amidst all of this discussion, a few words regarding another tool to reduce energy consumption and the associated pollutants while saving the energy consumer money may be spoken.  However, many may not realize this less flashy tool is available today and can result in lower emissions almost immediately.

Energy efficiency, according to the 2010 IBM Eco-Efficiency Jam, is one of the five key themes foremost in the minds of public and private enterprise leaders as they currently grapple within their movement to more eco-efficient operations. As most of you are aware, Jams provide an internet-based platform for large population of individuals to interact in real time to spur innovation and develop actionable ideas around business-critical or urgent societal issues.

The survey asked questions regarding sustainability initiatives that have been undertaken by local governments. Over 2,000 local governments responded to the survey. The survey was developed by ICMA’s Center for Sustainable Communities, the Center for Urban Innovation at Arizona State University, the Arizona State University’s Global Institute of Sustainability, and the Alliance for Innovation.