New York City Tallies Greenhouse Gas Emissions

New York City Tallies Greenhouse Gas Emissions



   
April 2007 -   New York Mayor 
Michael Bloomberg Tuesday released the first comprehensive 
inventory of greenhouse gas emissions in New York City's 
history and announced that New York will host mayors from 
large cities around the world at a C40 Large Cities Climate 
Summit in May. 
"You can no longer deny the science and bury your head in the 
sand," said the mayor. "Climate change is real, and by looking 
at where and how we are contributing to that problem, we can 
identify how to reduce our emissions and create a better 
future for our children and grandchildren." 
The inventory will serve as the benchmark for reducing 
greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent between now and 2030, a 
target Mayor Bloomberg set during a speech last December. 
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg introduces the city's 
greenhouse gas emissions inventory at the New York Academy of 
Sciences. 
"By undertaking the most comprehensive, detailed inventory of 
greenhouse gas emissions in US history, and establishing a 
very clear target for reductions, we will lead by example in 
fighting global warming," the mayor said. 
Specific plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to targeted 
levels will be detailed in a policy speech scheduled for later 
this month that is expected to address New York City's 
expanding population. With a current population of 8.2 million 
people, New York is estimated to grow by one million residents 
between now and 2030. 
New York's greenhouse gas emissions inventory was completed as 
part of the Cities for Climate Protection campaign undertaken 
by ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability. Based in 
Toronto, Canada the organization was founded in 1990 as the 
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, 
ICLEI. 
New York is one of 750 cities participating internationally in 
the Cities for Climate Protection campaign, including 240 U.S. 
cities. 
The report on New York's greenhouse gas emissions breaks down 
emissions into two separate inventories - those produced by 
New York City as a whole and those produced from city 
government operations. 
The analysis shows that citywide carbon dioxide equivalent, 
CO2e, emissions were approximately 58 million metric tons in 
2005, with 79 percent coming from buildings. 
New York's carbon emissions were approximately one percent of 
2005 U.S. totals, and less than a third of the average U.S. 
per capita level. 
Citywide emissions have increased by about eight percent in 
the last 10 years, and are on trend to increase 25 percent 
above 2005 levels by 2030. 
A ship enters New York Harbor, contributing to the emission of 
greenhouse gases. 
City government CO2e emissions were 3.8 million metric tons in 
2006, with 64 percent coming from buildings owned by the city.
 City government emissions increased by 15 percent from 1995 to 
2001. Still, government emissions have remained stable over 
the last five years, and are on trend to remain so through 
2017, despite background growth in electricity use. 
"We applaud New York City for the completion of their 
greenhouse gas inventory, the most comprehensive ever 
completed by a U.S. city, which builds on the tremendous 
progress the city has already made towards climate 
protection," said Michelle Wyman, executive cirector of 
ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability. 
"The biggest city in the U.S. is also one of the leaders in 
local climate action, earning the nickname the Big Green 
Apple," joked Wyman. "New York City has demonstrated that we 
can turn the problem of global warming into profitable 
solutions that also make our communities cleaner, better 
places to live." 
The inventory found that actions taken by the city from 1995 
to 2006 resulted in the avoided emission of 446,000 metric 
tons of CO2e per year. 
The past actions include an agreement between the city and the 
New York Power Authority that provides financing for energy 
efficiency projects in city buildings, the use of alternative 
fuel vehicles in the city's fleet, landfill methane recovery, 
and the conversion of traffic signals to LEDs. 
Each of the thousands of vehicles on New York City streets 
adds its emissions to the atmosphere. 
Additional actions taken between 2006 and 2017 are projected 
to result in annual avoided emissions of 404,000 metric tons 
by 2017. 
Future plans to further reduce CO2e emissions include the 
switch from truck to barge and rail for the hauling of solid 
waste out of the city as part of the Solid Waste Management 
Program enacted in 2005; the city's green buildings law also 
passed in 2005; the energy efficient products procurement law, 
and increased street tree planting citywide. 
"Global warming is, without a doubt, the most pressing 
environmental issue of our time and it is clear that urgent 
action by all levels of government is necessary to avert its 
catastrophic consequences," said Councilman James Gennaro. 
Mayors and delegations from cities around the world will 
gather in New York May 14 to 17 for the C40 Large Cities 
Climate Summit, convened to promote the role of cities in 
reducing carbon emissions and reversing global climate change.
 The Clinton Climate Initiative, the Partnership for New York 
City and NYC Global Partners, Inc. are organizing the event on 
behalf of the Bloomberg administration and the Large Cities 
Climate Leadership Group. Former President Bill Clinton will 
be a keynote speaker at the Summit. 
"Global climate change threats are real, and these impacts are 
being keenly felt in cities," said Lady Mayor Barbel Dieckmann 
of Bonn, Germany, who chairs the World Mayors Council on 
Climate Change. 
Lady Mayor Barbel Dieckmann of Bonn, Germany 
"Cities are already experiencing flooding, water shortages, 
heat waves, coastal erosion, ozone-related deaths, and more 
extreme weather events like hurricanes and wildfires, and 
these events will become even more frequent and severe," she 
warned. 
Mayor Bloomberg will welcome mayors from more than 30 of the 
world's largest cities, including London, Paris, Tokyo, Mexico 
City, Sao Paulo, Moscow and Istanbul. 
Private sector companies will also be represented through 
sponsorship of sessions and events, and the attendance of 
their CEOs. These companies include: JP Morgan Chase & Co., 
Alcoa, Deutsche Bank, the Hearst Corporation, the Shell Oil 
Company, Siemenvironment news, Time Warner, BSKYB, Citigroup, Con Edison, 
Federated Department Stores, General Electric, Keyspan, KPMG 
LLP, Swiss Re, and Tishman Speyer. 
Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO of the Partnership for New 
York City, said, "The Climate Summit will showcase the 
important role that New York City's international business 
community is playing around the world to help cities make the 
most of the economic development opportunities associated with 
cleaner and greener business practices." 

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