As we approach the end of 2023, cities worldwide are gearing up for the inaugural compliance period in their commitment to address climate change in alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The urgency of the climate crisis, underscored by increasingly erratic weather patterns and visible environmental degradation, has prompted the development of regulations to curb the primary drivers of climate destruction.
New York City stands prominently among the vanguard cities leading the charge in climate action. The city is poised to step into its first compliance period, as mandated by Local Law 97 or LL 97. This landmark legislation signifies New York City's unwavering dedication to realizing concrete climate mitigation measures. It sets a clear path for the city to reduce carbon emissions and achieve a more sustainable future.
As part of the Climate Mobilisation Act, passed in April 2019, the LL97, or Local Law 97, also referred to as "Intro 1253," was enacted to reduce the emissions produced by buildings inside the city limits. According to LL97, buildings greater than 25,000 square feet are expected to steadily meet the carbon emission reduction targets until 2050, when they are expected to reach the net-zero level.
LL97 IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
Source: urbangreencouncil.org
The obligatory set percentages are 40 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050. Nevertheless, the target margin regarding buildings that own the city is more stringent. The emission reduction goals for city-controlled buildings are 40 percent by 2025 and 50 percent by 2030.
The inventory of New York City's greenhouse gas emissions in 2013 reported that buildings account for about 70 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to using natural gas, electricity, steam, and heating fuel. The city has been working tirelessly towards its sustainable goals using PlaNYC, its local mandate established in 2007.
2005 TO 2012 CITYWIDE ANNUAL GHG EMISSIONS BY SECTOR AND SOURCE
Source: plaNYC, Inventory of New York City Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2013
According to the 2016 York City Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, building energy consumption significantly generated 34.4 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e). Unquestionably, this sector emerged as the city's primary source of emissions.
Further inspection of this data reveals that residential structures in New York City account for a considerable part of building-related emissions, contributing to 48% of total emissions. The city's commercial businesses account for 39% of this emissions category. Natural gas combustion is the largest source of these carbon emissions within buildings, accounting for 47% of total emissions. Electricity use accounts for 37% of building-related emissions, making it the second-largest source.
Source: New York City Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, Inventory of New York City Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2016
This evaluation underscores the essential need for focused efforts to address emissions from energy use in buildings, particularly in the residential and commercial sectors, with a strong emphasis on lowering reliance on natural gas and transitioning to cleaner energy sources. The LL 97 compliance addresses energy use emissions in residential and commercial buildings in New York City.
A comprehensive SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) assessment of LL97 can provide insight into its efficacy and prospective reform areas in addressing climate change in New York City.
SWOT ANALYSIS FOR LL 97:
STRENGTHS:
One of the benefits of having rigorous standards in place is that they ensure a favorable decrease in emissions while simultaneously establishing a framework that is strategic and readily accessible to monitoring for achieving compliance objectives. The city's overall efforts and commitment to the mitigation initiatives, which align with its broader climate goals, give outcomes that bolster minimizing the city's carbon footprint. In addition, the administration is mindful that the building owners are provided with adequate financial autonomy through "goodwill efforts" to meet their needs.
WEAKNESS:
In the event of buildings that require retrofitting and revamping, there is a risk that the property's owners will experience difficulty meeting the initial compliance requirements. In addition, the process involved in implementing the transition to clean energy sources can be both time-consuming and challenging. Because of the murky distinction that separates the responsibilities of the owner and those of the tenant, there is a potential for financial inequality to arise. Also, monitoring and reporting processes can pose a challenge without an extensive administrative infrastructure to support them.
OPPORTUNITIES:
The transition towards using renewable energy, sustainable research, and retrofitting brings up chances for possible employment in the construction industry and the renewable energy sector. In addition, it sets the way for implementing technologies and practices that may expand the scope of the regional economy for sustainability. Individuals are prompted to become more aware of the situation and better prepared to deal with it when public participation and engagement emphasize the collaborative efforts to achieve the climate goals.
THREAT:
Unstable economic policies lead to resistance in the legal and social spheres, which can slow down the process or even stop it altogether. In addition, effective compliance with the law is required for the legislation to achieve its intended purpose. Its efficacy can be jeopardized if there are not enough resources for law enforcement or if there is not a uniform approach to enforcing the law.
In conclusion, compliance with Local Law 97 reduces the greenhouse gas emissions of New York City buildings significantly. To ensure its success, it will be necessary to confront and overcome obstacles, ensure equitable implementation, and seize opportunities for innovation and community participation. The public and the administrative body must continuously evaluate and adapt to attain long-term emission reduction objectives.
Building owners should collaborate with experts and consultants skilled in energy modeling and LL97 compliance to improve energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions. Since building owners must submit annual energy consumption reports to the city, these reports frequently utilize data from energy modeling to demonstrate compliance with LL 97. Energy modeling aids building owners in strategizing for sustained emission reductions over time, going beyond routine compliance. By continuously monitoring and modeling energy consumption, the owners can make informed decisions regarding future investments in energy-efficient technologies.
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