The city’s largest landlords might have a bit more time to decarbonize their buildings under new rules published Tuesday pertaining to the implementation of Local Law 97, although some environmental advocates are accusing the Adams Administration of “gutting” the landmark climate law.
The 2019 law requires buildings over 25,000 square feet to start meeting strict regulations on carbon emissions next year, and obligates landlords to retrofit their buildings should they fail to comply; by 2030, the city’s largest buildings must have reduced their carbon emissions by 40% compared to 2005 levels, and by 2050 emissions must be reduced by 80%. Buildings account for about 70% of the city’s carbon emissions.
