NYC's Carbon Inventory First Step to Reducing Emissions
The Big Apple generates 1 percent of the country's greenhouse gases, according to its first-ever carbon inventory, and will aim to reduce that amount by 30 percent by 2030.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg released the first comprehensive inventory of greenhouse gas emissions in New York City's history.
The inventory will serve as the benchmark for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent between now and 2030, a target the Mayor set during a speech at the end of last year. He we announce specific plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a policy proposal later this month.
"You have to have a real baseline or we're just talking past each other as to what works and what doesn't work -- we won't ever know whether we really made a difference," Bloomberg said.
The study found that the city's 8.2 million residents -- 2.7 percent of the country's population -- contribute less than one-third of the emissions than the national average. Officials credited the number to the city's mass-transit system, which reduces the use of cars in the city.
Although the study found that emissions have been stable in recent years, due in large part to environmentally friendly initiatives launched by the city, overall emissions still increased more than 8 percent in the decade between 1995 and 2005.
and announced that New York will host mayors from large cities around the world at a C40 Large Cities Climate Summit in May. The Mayor was joined by City Council Speaker, Christine Quinn; Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding, Dan Doctoroff; New York Academy of Sciences President, Ellis Rubinstein; ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability, USA
Director Northeast Regional Capacity Center, Kim Lundgren; Partnership for New York City President, Kathryn Wylde; Chairman of the City Council's Environmental Protection Committee, James F. Gennaro, and New York City Global Partners Acting President, Marjorie Tiven, to release the report and announce the summit during a day-long meeting on "Climate Change in New York." The event was co-sponsored by the New York Academy of Sciences and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
"New York has always been a leader in forward thinking public policies, and 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. We look forward to discussing these issues with mayors from around the world here next month," said Mayor Bloomberg. "You can no longer deny the science and bury your head in the sand - 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."
"Rising greenhouse gas emissions are a global problem, but we all need to act locally to find solutions," said Speaker Quinn. "Working closely with the administration, and with the leadership of Environmental Protection Committee Chair James Genarro, the Council has taken a number of steps to reduce emissions, improve our environment, and make our city greener overall. This inventory will help us build on these efforts, and continue New York City's efforts as a leader in the fight against global warming."
The speech is expected to propose solutions to the challenges facing New York City as it grows by approximately one million residents between now and 2030. The report released today breaks down emissions into two separate inventories: those produced by New York City as a whole and those produced from City government operations.
New York's greenhouse gas emissions inventory was completed as part ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability's "Cities for Climate Protection" Campaign. New York is one of 750 cities participating internationally, including 240 U.S. cities.
At the press conference, Mayor Bloomberg also announced that New York City will host mayors and delegations from cities around the world at the C40 Large Cities Climate Summit in May. The Summit will promote the role of cities in reducing carbon emissions and reversing global climate change.
Expected to attend the Summit are 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 sponsor sessions and events during the Summit as well.
"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," said Kathryn Wylde, President and CEO of the Partnership for New York City.
The inventory will serve as the benchmark for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent between now and 2030, a target the Mayor set during a speech at the end of last year. He we announce specific plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a policy proposal later this month.
"You have to have a real baseline or we're just talking past each other as to what works and what doesn't work -- we won't ever know whether we really made a difference," Bloomberg said.
The study found that the city's 8.2 million residents -- 2.7 percent of the country's population -- contribute less than one-third of the emissions than the national average. Officials credited the number to the city's mass-transit system, which reduces the use of cars in the city.
Although the study found that emissions have been stable in recent years, due in large part to environmentally friendly initiatives launched by the city, overall emissions still increased more than 8 percent in the decade between 1995 and 2005.
and announced that New York will host mayors from large cities around the world at a C40 Large Cities Climate Summit in May. The Mayor was joined by City Council Speaker, Christine Quinn; Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding, Dan Doctoroff; New York Academy of Sciences President, Ellis Rubinstein; ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability, USA
Director Northeast Regional Capacity Center, Kim Lundgren; Partnership for New York City President, Kathryn Wylde; Chairman of the City Council's Environmental Protection Committee, James F. Gennaro, and New York City Global Partners Acting President, Marjorie Tiven, to release the report and announce the summit during a day-long meeting on "Climate Change in New York." The event was co-sponsored by the New York Academy of Sciences and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
"New York has always been a leader in forward thinking public policies, and 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. We look forward to discussing these issues with mayors from around the world here next month," said Mayor Bloomberg. "You can no longer deny the science and bury your head in the sand - 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."
"Rising greenhouse gas emissions are a global problem, but we all need to act locally to find solutions," said Speaker Quinn. "Working closely with the administration, and with the leadership of Environmental Protection Committee Chair James Genarro, the Council has taken a number of steps to reduce emissions, improve our environment, and make our city greener overall. This inventory will help us build on these efforts, and continue New York City's efforts as a leader in the fight against global warming."
The speech is expected to propose solutions to the challenges facing New York City as it grows by approximately one million residents between now and 2030. The report released today breaks down emissions into two separate inventories: those produced by New York City as a whole and those produced from City government operations.
New York's greenhouse gas emissions inventory was completed as part ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability's "Cities for Climate Protection" Campaign. New York is one of 750 cities participating internationally, including 240 U.S. cities.
At the press conference, Mayor Bloomberg also announced that New York City will host mayors and delegations from cities around the world at the C40 Large Cities Climate Summit in May. The Summit will promote the role of cities in reducing carbon emissions and reversing global climate change.
Expected to attend the Summit are 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 sponsor sessions and events during the Summit as well.
"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," said Kathryn Wylde, President and CEO of the Partnership for New York City.
