New York City Sets Ambitious Climate Rules for Its Biggest Emitters: Buildings

New York City’s plan for slashing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings offers some flexibility and a template other cities can follow. Drew Angerer/Getty Images New York City set an ambitious new standard for combating greenhouse gas emissions on Thursday, approving a package of climate policies designed to slash energy use in big buildings—the top polluters in the nation’s biggest city. Supporters say the bills represent the largest emissions cuts adopted by any city worldwide and offer a template others can follow. The plans approved by the City Council are expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions from large buildings by 40 percent compared to 2005 levels by 2030—about 26 percent below current levels. Buildings account for two-thirds of the city’s emissions, so slashing their energy use is critical to meeting New York’s larger climate goals. Our stories. Your inbox. Every weekend. "As far as I know, this is the largest carbon reduction initiative for buildings anywhere in the world," said John Mandyck, chief executive of the Urban Green Council, a New York-based nonprofit that helped shape the legislation. He said that beyond the direct impact of the cuts in New York, the bill could help other cities design similar initiatives […]

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