In terms of the challenge, building energy consumption accounts for well over half (63%) of the metro region’s greenhouse gas emissions and imposes comparatively high costs on energy consumers (CNT, 2009b). Buildings in the Chicago Tri-State metro-region tend to use far more energy than even comparable buildings in the Midwest, in part due to their age and lack of insulation. While energy efficiency is unlikely to contribute much to emissions reduction if it is not accompanied by a high carbon price, it is still a necessary element of any policy to address climate change (OECD, 2013).20 In terms of the opportunity, retrofitting of existing buildings to increase their energy-efficiency involves a relatively high demand for low and semi-skilled labour and strengthens the local cluster in professional energy services.