New York City is known for its iconic skyline – skyscrapers and big buildings dominate. But these buildings are the same ones that are responsible for almost 70% of the city’s climate pollution.
Now, a new proposal has been introduced in city council that proposes to cut building emissions by decreasing energy use by 20% between 2020 and 2030. This type of legislation is unprecedented in that stringent energy retrofits for existing buildings would be mandated. Beyond 2030, a report prepared by the Urban Green Council, which instigated this proposed policy, sets out a framework to cut energy use by 60% by 2050.
“We have a unique chance to address this problem once and for all,” said Mark Chambers, director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability. “But we have to get it right, and we have to be bold right now.”
This development is not only significant for New York City but sends a signal to major cities across the globe, offering a model to other municipal governments. In the EU, for example, buildings are responsible for 35% of all greenhouse gas emissions and 40% of energy consumption. Worldwide, laws to improve building efficiency standards are lacking, especially for existing buildings.
Although New York City has proposed similar legislation in the past, this development differs in that wide stakeholder consultation was taken and already received strong support. In developing their report, the Urban Green Council sought input from the American Institute of Architects New York division, Environmental Defense Fund, New York Communities for Change, the Real Estate Board of New York, and the Rent Stabilization Association. “We brought the most important building and energy stakeholders together around a framework to substantially reduce building energy use in New York City,” said Russell Unger, the Urban Green Council’s executive director.
As cities and local policies are largely leading the way towards a more sustainable energy future, a step from NYC to tackle energy consumption in big buildings could pave the way for others.
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