Emissions
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in NYC
NYC has set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 80% by 2050 (also known as 80×50). GHG emissions in NYC come from three main sectors: buildings, transportation, and waste. Click through to explore more detail about emissions from each sector.
Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Buildings
The vast majority of NYC’s greenhouse gas emissions come from our buildings. Many buildings rely on fossil fuels for heating, cooling, and cooking, and have energy inefficient appliances or windows that cause higher emissions. In 2019, NYC passed the Climate Mobilization Act, a landmark set of laws that limit emissions from new and existing buildings over 25,000 square feet (Local Law 97) and require solar and green roofs for new building construction (Local Laws 92 and 94). These laws will reduce emissions from the city’s largest buildings by 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. Explore the emissions profile of the NYC’s building stock and even find your building’s energy score below.
Citywide Emissions in Buildings
Change in Building Energy Use
Energy Star Score (2022): All benchmarked buildings
ENERGY STAR scores are calculated on a scale of 1-100 based on a building’s energy performance in comparison to buildings with similar physical, operational, and occupancy characteristics. A building with a score of 50 means that it performs better than 50% of its building peers. The grading system is as follows: 85-100 is an A, 70-84 is a B, 55-69 is a C, and less than 55 is a D.
Transportation
The transportation sector is the second highest source of NYC’s greenhouse gases. Most transportation emissions come from motorized passenger vehicles that require gasoline and diesel. Explore how NYC is greening the transportation network by making it easier and safer to bike, while supporting the use of electric vehicles when car trips are needed. The Department of Transportation (DOT) Green Wave bike initiative has expanded the bike lane network across the city.
DOT aims to build out a new curbside electric vehicle charging network with 1,000 chargers by 2025 and 10,000 by 2030. The State of New York has also passed a law that all vehicles sold by 2035 will be electric. While these policies are promising, we have a long way to go. Explore the data below to see how much more we need to achieve to meet our sustainable transportation goals.
Energy & Emissions: Transportation
2005 vs 2023
Energy & Emissions: Transportation
2005 vs 2023
New Bike Lanes
Bike Parking Spaces Added
Electric Vehicles
NYC Electric Fleet
Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure
Waste
The third category of greenhouse gases in NYC is waste emissions. New York City has set an ambitious goal of achieving Zero Waste by 2030 which would drastically reduce emissions and promote a more circular economy where instead of being junked items are reused, rerouted to recycling, or composted into rich soil for use across our parks, gardens, and natural areas. Food scraps alone make up one third of what New Yorkers throw away and are responsible for producing a significant source of emissions in landfills. Help reduce our waste emissions by signing up for curbside organic waste collection or dropping off your compost at a neighborhood site near you. If organics collection is not available in your neighborhood, reach out to your Councilmember to voice your support for expanding citywide composting.