Energy and Environment The Model of Sustainable Sports Arenas

Business Roundtable is celebrating Earth Week by highlighting examples of our member companies’ sustainability efforts in action. These stories, which reflect a diverse cross-section of economic sectors, are part of our 10th annual sustainability report, Create, Grow, Sustain: Delivering Shared Success.

AECOM, recently recognized by Fortune as a World’s Most Admired Company for the third straight year, is empowering communities to design for the future through innovative city planning, clean water and energy solutions. Under the leadership of Michael S. Burke, chairman and chief executive officer, the fully integrated global infrastructure firm is delivering transformative solutions that will leave a lasting impact on the planet and future generations.

In a remarkable feat of modern engineering, the AECOM team set a new benchmark for sustainable sports arenas — Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. The world’s first LEED Platinum arena, Golden 1 Center is 100 percent solar-powered, made of 36 percent recycled materials, and employs a unique displacement ventilation system that distributes conditioned air under the seat. The facility, which opened its doors in the fall of 2016, is primed to host more than 200 events a year, cutting the carbon footprint of a standard sports arena by 2,000 tons annually.

The project reflects AECOM’s commitment to realizing a more sustainable planet through innovative technology and design solutions.

“We leverage our unparalleled global expertise across services, markets and geographies to deliver transformative solutions,” Burke said. “We design, build, finance and operate critical infrastructure assets and programs that unlock opportunities, protect our environment and improve people’s lives in more than 150 countries.”

The revolutionary design of Golden 1 Center is just one example of AECOM efforts to tackle some of the most vexing challenges facing our planet in communities around the world. In delivering for its clients, AECOM also exemplifies Business Roundtable members’ commitment to delivering shared success that sustains for generations to come.