KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Today, the Kansas City Chiefs announced GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium received Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) v4.1 Gold certification for existing buildings from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), further cementing the Chiefs commitment to sustainability.
The LEED v4.1 for existing buildings tracks data over a 12-month period, measuring metrics related to energy, water, waste, staff transit, and indoor air quality, providing an outline for venue owners and operators to remain environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently. LEED buildings save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions, and create healthier working conditions.
"GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium is thrilled to be awarded LEED certification and I am proud of the work by our staff who remain committed to our sustainability and efficiency efforts," Chiefs Vice President of Stadium Operations and Facilities Brandon Hamilton said. "It is an incredible achievement to transform a venue of this age, style, and complexity and have it remain energy efficient and environmentally friendly for fans who attend any of our events."
During the review period, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium is estimated to have reduced energy operational costs by 10 percent, water usage by 14 percent, and more than quadrupled its diversion through implementation of onsite composting and onsite sorting of recyclables. Additionally, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium relied on sustainable practices in staff commuting through a combination of carpooling, low-emission and electric vehicles, buses, and other carbon-friendly solutions, resulting in transit reduction.
The driving force behind GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium's LEED Gold certification is the Chiefs Extra Yard for the Environment platform. The program exists to inspire and educate fans on sustainable practices both at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium and at home. Since its inception 15 years ago, Chiefs Extra Yard for the Environment initiative has worked to increase recycling and composting efforts, nearing 90 percent waste diversion. Since 2011, the Chiefs have diverted more than 1,100 tons of trash from landfills, leading the Kansas City region by example and using sports as a catalyst for community-wide environmental action.
"LEED is a globally recognized symbol of excellence in green buildings," USGBC Managing Director of U.S. Market Transformation and Development Rhiannon Jacobsen said. "LEED certification ensures electricity cost savings, lower carbon emissions, and healthier environments where people live, work, learn, play, and worship. In the United States alone, buildings account for almost 40 percent of national CO2 emissions, but LEED-certified buildings have 34 percent lower CO2 emissions, consume 25 percent less energy and 11 percent less water, and have diverted more than 80 million tons of waste from landfills."
LEED is a globally recognized symbol of excellence in green buildings. LEED certification ensures energy cost savings, lower carbon emissions, and healthier environments where people live, work, learn, play, and worship. In the United States alone, buildings account for almost 40 percent of national CO2 emissions, but LEED-certified buildings have 34 percent lower CO2 emissions, consume 25 percent less energy and 11 percent less water, and have diverted more than 80 million tons of waste from landfills.
