From our partners: Thanks to legislation introduced by Councilmember Constantinides and backed by Speaker Johnson, New York City is on the verge of worldwide leadership in the fight against climate change.
The proposed bill is a historic first, worldwide.
If enacted, it would be the world’s first standard to slash climate pollution from the top source of climate pollution for many cities worldwide, which is energy use in buildings.
In New York City, building energy use accounts for about 70% of the city’s massive climate pollution.
The proposed legislation would require the city’s large buildings, those over 25,000 square feet, which cause HALF the pollution, to slash their climate pollution by over 40% by 2030. Pollution cuts would start in 2022 for particularly #DirtyBuildings. The bill would require large buildings to reach over 80% pollution cuts by 2050.
This bill would also create thousands of good, union jobs in renovation and construction, jobs predominantly for the communities of color that need these jobs most.
That’s the bold action that rises to the challenge of the climate crisis. It’s a #GreenNewDeal4NYC
This bill will get a formal hearing in the City Council starting at 10am on Tuesday, December 4th.
This legislation is at the scale of the climate crisis and, if passed, it can spark action by cities worldwide. Join us at 9:00am on Tuesday, December 4th on the steps of City Hall to rally for a #GreenNewDeal4NYC, and then watch the hearing on the proposed legislation to show the Council they should enact it into law!
