Cook County exceeding emissions reduction goals

Cook County is exceeding its target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its buildings, the county's 2015 Sustainability Report shows.

The county's emissions have dropped 11 percent since they were measured in 2010, which surpasses its target of an 8 percent reduction from 2010 through 2014, according to the county.

The county has increased energy efficiency by updating building control systems and investing in renewable energy technologies. The county's reduction in emissions is equivalent to keeping 20,400 passenger vehicles off the road for a year, according to a news release.

"I am proud that through the efforts of my Green Leadership Team we have harnessed departments and offices from across County government to work together and creatively reduce our energy, water and fuel use as well as reduce our waste," Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said in a news release.

The report also states that more the 500,000 tons of building materials have been diverted from landfills thanks to a 2012 county ordinance and about 43 percent of the county's total waste was diverted from landfills. The county's goal is to divert 50 percent of waste from landfills by 2025.