“As I look to the future, I am impressed by the city’s ability to not only catch up with, but actually exceed, Local Law 97’s next goal of reducing carbon emissions by 50 percent by fiscal year 2030. I am confident.”
Flickr/Government Services Across New York City
Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) staff and Mayor Eric Adams announced 1,000 new electric vehicles to replace fossil fuel-powered city vehicles in January 2023.
As Earth Week celebrations begin anew, the world’s eyes once again turn to our collective progress in the fight against climate change. For me and the staff at the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), this is not only a time of great optimism, but also a time of celebration and renewed commitment to environmental stewardship.
Since joining DCAS as the City’s Chief Decarbonization Officer eight months ago, I’ve been on the verge of achieving something remarkable and it feels like I’ve come to the right moment. Despite unprecedented challenges, this team has remained steadfast in its mission to promote sustainability in New York City and combat climate change.
To address one of our most pressing concerns head-on, we are implementing Local Law 97’s first emissions goal of 40% reductions from 2006 levels by fiscal year 2027, two years behind the 2025 deadline. We plan to achieve this goal.
When LL97 was passed in 2019, setting carbon emissions reduction targets for private buildings and city halls, we knew we had little time to expand our project pipeline and lay the groundwork for change. I did. However, we could not have predicted that less than a year later a global pandemic would occur, and its effects would still be felt today.
Looking to the future, I am confident that the city has the ability to not only meet, but actually exceed, the next goal in LL97: a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by fiscal year 2030.
Part of this mission, in addition to standard renewable energy projects such as expanding electric vehicle infrastructure and installing solar panels on rooftops, which is undoubtedly important, we have literally never been more I am working on it by getting my hands dirty. Remove fossil fuel building systems and install new, high-efficiency electrical equipment throughout the city. This job is about more than just achieving goals. It’s about delivering tangible benefits to communities by creating cleaner air through the phasing out of fossil fuel infrastructure and making buildings cleaner and more comfortable for their occupants.
Looking ahead to 2030 and beyond, there are several important points to keep in mind. First, to achieve our goals at the scale we need, we must continue to invest in our green workforce, which has become a priority under the current administration. Programs such as the Agency Energy Representative (AEP) initiative, which brings in agency energy management experts to lead energy and emissions reduction efforts, and the Energy Management Institute (EMI), which trains city staff in energy management best practices. ensures best practices in energy management for the city. Energy professionals have the knowledge and skills needed to drive meaningful change.
Second, we need to pivot from business as usual and commit to phasing out fossil fuel infrastructure. Take, for example, our efforts to electrify existing schools through the Leading the Charge program. This $4 billion commitment will move away from dependence on fossil fuels and set the stage for a cleaner, more sustainable future, especially in disadvantaged communities (DACs). To date, nearly 60% of the city government’s operational emissions reductions have occurred in designated DACs.
Finally, to continue to reduce energy and emissions and ensure the longevity of energy systems, city buildings must be effectively operated and maintained. We need to continue to focus on preventive and predictive maintenance, rather than just corrective maintenance when equipment breaks down. In response to this challenge, DCAS uses advanced building control and analytics to consistently gain a clearer understanding of building equipment performance and optimize the functionality of building systems to operate as efficiently as possible. We are increasingly prioritizing implementation.
So far, these strategies have been successful, with significant results not only in reducing emissions but also in job creation and cost savings. Since 2014, our company has completed more than 5,000 energy projects and more than 14,000 energy-saving measures in more than 2,300 unique buildings. These projects are estimated to have created 5,300 jobs in the construction industry and related fields and saved New York State taxpayers more than $125 million in energy costs.
Looking to the future, our commitment to sustainability and carbon reduction remains resolute as we commit to a 50% reduction by 2030 and set a path towards our long-term goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 . These goals can only benefit further from continued support from countries around the world. It was submitted to the state to authorize the use of advanced design and construction techniques in emissions reduction projects.
The road ahead may be difficult, but with continued determination and cooperation, we will build greener, more sustainable cities for future generations. We all have an important role to play, and together we can turn challenges into opportunities and pave the way to a brighter, more sustainable future for everyone. I, too, am excited about this progress and the promise of a greener New York City for everyone.
Sana Barakat is New York City’s Chief Decarbonization Officer and Deputy Commissioner for Energy Management in the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services.
