Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena: Ticket to a Greener Future

Top leaders reviewed the process by which the newly formed Oak View Group had managed a major rebuild of a landmark arena in Seattle into a major green showcase which attracted professional sports -- a National Hockey League franchise, a WNBA (women’s professional basketball) team -- and major entertainers concerned about sustainability. Challenges included politics around the bidding process, the need for construction innovations, and rising standards to make the Climate Pledge Arena among the world’s greenest. Amazon bought the naming rights through its Climate Pledge Alliance, with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos insisting on a carbon zero plan, which added electricity uncertainties and further cost escalations. Then-CEO Tim Leiweke had to manage his investors and find the resources and innovations to complete the project without public funding and deal with further challenges of operating at carbon zero, including waste management, food, cooking, packaging, and community benefits such as free public transportation included with a ticket. Was the venture successful, and from whose perspective? Leaders wanted to inspire many similar projects. What kind of leadership and partnerships are required for a project with significant positive climate impact?