Performance Targets

Updated April 2021

The mission of DC Green Bank is to provide access to capital, growing the clean economy to develop a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable DC. We know that we cannot achieve what we cannot measure, and so we have developed and adopted Performance Targets that track our progress and measure our impact.

DC Green Bank (DCGB) envisions a thriving clean economy that contributes to economic growth and prosperity for all DC. DC Green Bank also aligns its investment strategy with DC’s climate plans, including the Sustainable DC 2.0 Plan and the goal to be carbon-free by 2050. In order to track our impact, each December DC Green Bank will publish its annual progress on the Performance Targets as adopted by the Board of Directors. The Performance Targets are organized around DC Green Bank’s core values of Clean Economy, Sustainability, and Inclusive Prosperity, as well as around financial stewardship and progress, including its contribution to DC’s market acceleration for clean energy and sustainability.

In March 2021, after a robust public comment process, the DC Green Bank Board of Directors adopted DCGB’s Performance Targets. Click below to view a PDF of our Performance Targets, to view the feedback received during the open public comment period as well as our responses, or scroll down this page to view the Performance Targets in a drop-down format.

Download Final 2021 Performance Targets
DCGB Responses to Public Comments Received on Performance Targets

It is mission critical for DC Green Bank both to establish its baseline in order to evaluate and share its year-over-year progress and overall impact. To ensure transparency and accountability in its work to accelerate the just transition to a clean economy, DC Green Bank Performance Targets will use a phased approach to operationalize and implement its Performance Targets. In Phase 1, DC Green Bank has identified priority metrics for which it will develop baseline measurements, relevant benchmarks and annual goals during its initial reporting and accountability cycle. In performing its phasing analysis, the DC Green Bank team considered existing resource capacity for data collection and analysis, interdependency (on related activities as well as third parties), activity and planning timeframes, current actionability, measurable outcomes and viable alternatives. Currently, DC Green Bank anticipates prioritizing the Performance Targets noted in the drop-down menu below in BLUE for Phase 1 implementation.

 

Clean Economy

CE-1 Fund projects to expand green job opportunities that increase employability and earning potential for District residents.

.01 Measure permanent, contingent and contract green jobs across all skill levels created by DCGB investments. (Phase 1)



.02 Measure new green job/business entrants as well as green job/business expansions and transitions in connection with DCGB investments. (Phase 1)



.03 Measure median and average pay rates associated with DCGB investments.

CE-2 Build capacity among stakeholders to participate in the green finance market.

.01 Assess capacity needs of stakeholders associated with potential investments and facilitate their readiness for private capital. [See also IP‐2.02]

.02 Identify green finance gaps and develop strategies that expand access to for private capital. [See also IP‐2.03] (Phase 1)

CE-3 Expand access of District residents to the clean economy.

.01 Support workforce development programs in the District to train residents to be successful in green jobs.

.02 Increase knowledge of District youth and young adults about clean energy, sustainability, and the clean economy. [See also IP‐2.04]

.03 Ensure green job growth opportunities along all categories of businesses and professions and promote equal access through pipeline programs. [See also IP‐ 2.05]

.04 Maximize access of District residents to electrification and affordable energy. [See also SU‐2.03, IP‐1.03] (Phase 1)

Sustainability

SU-1 Fund sustainable projects and programs that support decarbonization in the District, improve public health, and conserve natural resources.

.01 Measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction and climate impact through estimated carbon equivalents of annual and cumulative emissions avoided through 2032. [See also SU-2.01] (Phase 1)



.02 Measure quantifiable changes in air, water, and other pollution (e.g., air quality, stormwater retention) in connection with DCGB investments. (Phase 1)

SU-2 Accelerate the growth of the clean economy and electrification in the District.

.01 Measure clean energy produced and avoided energy use. (Phase 1)


.02 Measure the deployment and growth of clean energy and sustainability technologies. (Phase 1)


.03 Maximize access of District residents to electrification and affordable energy. [See also CE‐3.04, IP‐1.03] (Phase 1)

SU-3 Strengthen the climate resiliency of District residents and businesses.

.01 Make critical infrastructure investments that support climate resiliency and adaptation. (Phase 1)


.02 Identify sound and proven strategies to maximize climate resiliency, climate adaptation, and disaster risk reduction.

Inclusive Prosperity

IP-1 Prioritize inclusive prosperity in DC Green Bank investments.

.01 Allocate an equitable distribution of investment resources, including support for equal access in business development, application processing, loan processing and asset management. (Phase 1)


.02 Identify equity and access gaps for the clean economy by District Ward, Advisory Neighborhood Commission, Business Improvement District, and Census Tract and expand access to green finance where gaps exist. (Phase 1)


.03 Maximize access of District residents to electrification and affordable energy. [See also CE‐3.04, SU‐2.03] (Phase 1)

IP-2 Empower stakeholders to promote wellness, prosperity, and equal access to sustainable investment and remove barriers to inclusive prosperity.

.01 Work with community leaders and stakeholders to share sustainability and clean economy knowledge, practices and resources with District residents that promote green lifestyle choices and energy savings. (Phase 1)



.02 Assess capacity needs of stakeholders associated with potential investments and facilitate their readiness for private capital. [See also CE‐2.01]

.03 Identify green finance gaps and develop strategies that expand access to for private capital. [See also CE‐ 2.02] (Phase 1)



.04 Increase knowledge of District youth and young adults about clean energy, sustainability, and the clean economy. [See also CE‐3.02]

IP-3 Prioritize a just transition to the clean economy in the supply chain.

.01 Include requirements for mission alignment with DCGB core values (Clean Economy, Inclusive Prosperity, and Sustainability) in the supply chain in connection with DCGB’s programmatic investment and use of its operational funds. (Phase 1)


.02 Ensure external stakeholders set and measure goals aligned with DCGB core values and report to DCGB on progress towards same.

.03 Develop strategic partnerships to promote inclusive prosperity priorities in green banking. (Phase 1)

Financial Stewardship

FI-1 Ensure the long‐term financial stability and viability of DC Green Bank.

.01 Design, evaluate, and continually improve cash management strategy and capital strategy to advance financial self‐sufficiency and resilient operations. (Phase 1)


.02 Measure operating margin (revenues less expenses as a function of revenues). (Phase 1)


.03 Measure revenue growth. (Phase 1)

FI-2 Optimize social impact and efficiency of investments.

.01 Measure return on investment with respect to mission, profitability, and overall market acceleration. (Phase 1)

FI-3 Commercialize green finance investment.

.01 Pilot and model bankable investment strategies. (Phase 1)


.02 Accelerate DCGB pilot‐to‐product conversion, lender adoption of commercial finance products using DCGB funds or credit enhancement, and broader market adoption without DCGB participation. (Phase 1)