Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. As of 2006, the city had an estimated population of 582,454 and an estimated metropolitan area population of approximately 3.3 million.  

The City’s Environmental Management Oversight Panel (EMOP) is made up elected city council officials, city departments’ directors, business leaders and NGO leaders. The sustainable Building policy requires all new city constructions of 5,000 square feet or more meet sustainable building standards established by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council. EMOP established a goal to reduce use of pesticides by 30%. This target has since exceeded to 50%. An inventory taken from 1990 to 2001 showed that the city reduced its production of green house gases by almost 50% and targets to reduce emissions further by 70% by 2010. The city has committed to produce clean energy for its residents by increasing investments in renewable energy.