Green building and sustainable design has reached the ‘tipping point’ and have entered the mainstream of building and energy products and services.  More manufacturers, suppliers, architects, engineers and designers are responding to the growing demand to consider the health and well-being of consumers, the lifecycle costs of new design and the impact of rising prices of fossil fuels. 

Costs to include sustainable features in new construction are easily justified by reduced energy costs and improved worker health and productivity.  Increased reliance on renewable energy not only helps preserve the environment, but also keeps precious energy dollars working within the local economy instead of exporting them to other regions or countries.

To promote the growth of the Green Sector in New York City, NYCEDC can provide the following services specific to the sector: Showcase local green companies - including product designers, clean-tech energy companies, architectural firms, and building commissioning agents Determine if and how NYC job training, economic development and incentive programs can be used to support growth of green tech companies Facilitate interactions between green companies, both domestic and international Investigate opportunities for green tech companies in and out of NYC to provide valuable guidance Support connections between universities and green tech companies with city and state resources Connect local green companies with developers and buyers of green products and services Cultivate New York City as a leader in the industries associated with clean-tech and green building

New York City is quickly becoming the center for sustainable building and green design in the United States and a major market opportunity for suppliers around the world. 

Energy Efficient NYC
New York is already a world leader in the fight against global warming.  NYC is the most energy-efficient city in America.  Average New Yorkers consume less than half of those in San Francisco and nearly one-quarter the electricity consumed by those in Dallas.

New York City also has the most highly-used public transit system, further demonstrating that urban living is an environmentally friendly way to live.

NYC: Make It Green Fact Sheet
New York City and NYCEDC are making tremendous strides as leaders in green practices and policies.  View our NYC: Make It Green Fact Sheet to learn more about what is happening in several key areas, including:

• Green Development
• Green Policy
• Green Investment
• Recycling
• Local Parkland

The results were unveiled on December 12, 2006, when Mayor Bloomberg delivered his New York City 2030: Accepting the Challenge address.  The speech outlines sustainability challenges and goals for the City of New York through the year 2030.

The event launched an ongoing dialogue with the citizens of New York called PLANYC2030.  The initiative highlights 10 goals that will shape the course to the City's sustainable future by 2030.  Explore the CIty's plaNYC2030 website for more information.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions
In April, 2007, Mayor Bloomberg and the Office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability released the first comprehensive inventory of greenhouse gas emissions in New York City's history.  The Mayor also announced that New York will host mayors from large cities around the world at a C40 Large Cities Climate Summit in May. 

Read the Comprehensive Carbon Inventory Press Release.  You may also view the New York City Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report (PDF).

Earth Day plaNYC2030 Update 

The plan has been developed to serve as a model for all large cities in the 21st Century. The combined impact of this plan will not only ensure a higher quality of life for generations of New Yorkers to come; it will also contribute to a 30% reduction in global warming emissions over current levels.

Read the Mayor Bloomberg Delivers plaNYC Press Release and view the PlaNYC2030 Informational Site.

NYC Climate Summit
The Mayor, in conjunction with the Partnership for New York City, also announced a climate summit to be held in New York City in May 2007 with Mayors from around the world.  Leaders of municipal governments and international businesses from over thirty world cities convened in New York City for the second C40 Large Cities Climate Summit.

Cities are responsible for three-quarters of the world’s energy consumptio. As such, the world’s largest cities have a critical role to play in the reduction of carbon emissions and the reversal of dangerous climate change.  Learn more about the Large Cities Climate Summit.

New laws and progressive policy will move NYC toward a more sustainable future. This legislation will stimulate demand for green and sustainable products and services and the demand for green industry professionals:

• Green Building Legislation
• Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Laws

NYC Legislation Supports Green Buildings
In October 2005, Mayor Bloomberg signed Local Law 86 (PDF 115 KB), a green building law that effects all major city-funded capital building projects.

Over the next ten years, $12 billion in construction will be required to meet the green building standards of the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

NYC Developers and Builders Have Adopted Green Practices
There are over over 80 LEED green building projects planned in New York City. It is estimated that over $4 billion will be spent on green construction by 2008.* With well over 20 million square feet of commercial office space in the construction pipeline, New York City is poised to have more green designed space than any other city in the country.   See our map showing the sites of many of the LEED registered projects in NY.

Following are examples of just a few of the companies that help assure New York City is green and is a global center for finding products and services to support sustainable goals:

Bettencourt Green Building Supply
Cook + Fox Architects
Croxton Collaborative Architects
The Durst Organization
F X Fowle Architects
Gaia Power Technologies
Globus Cork
GreenOrder
IceStone
Turner Green Buildings
Vivavi

More Green Companies
o2NYC is the New York City chapter of the o2 Global Net, an international design association.  The group maintains a very comprehensive list of NYC-based companies that consider themselves to be part of the rapidly growing sustainable products and services sector. 

In July 2003, Mayor Bloomberg directed NYCEDC to organize and lead a public-private Energy Policy Task Force, which would comprehensively assess the City’s energy needs over the next five years and recommend specific policies and programs to meet those needs.  In January 2004, the Task Force released its findings in a report entitled New York City Energy Policy: An Electricity Roadmap (PDF 1 MB).

Following are links to some of the many government agencies, not-for-profit and special interest groups in New York working to make the City greener and helping to promote sustainable buisness here. 

New York City Office of Environmental Coordination (OEC)
Assists City agencies in carrying out their environmental review responsibilities and is the repository for all City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) documents.

New York City Department of Buildings: Model Code Program.
In a major mayoral initiative to modify the International Building Code and its family of codes (IBC) for use in New York City, the Department of Buildings has established an across-the-board Advisory Committee on Sustainability.

New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC): Office of Sustainable Design
Identifies and implements cost-effective ways to promote greater environmental responsibility in building design in New York City.

New York Industrial Retention Network (NYIRN)
A NYC not-for-profit organization that seeks to promote a diverse economy that provides economic opportunities for all New Yorkers by strengthening New York City's manufacturing sector, based on principles of economic and environmental justice and sustainability.  Made In NYC is an initiative of NYIRN, the Manufacturers Association of New York City (MANYC) and the Industrial & Technology Assistance Corporation (ITAC) that has issued a Manufacturing Green report describing the green building business opportunities for New York City manufacturers.

Design Trust for Public Space
Dedicated to improving the design, utility, and understanding of New York City's parks, plazas, streets, and public buildings, the Design Trust published Sustainable New York City, making the case for environmental sustainability in everyday municipal operations.

New York Software Industry Alliance
NYSIA is the leading trade association for software, information technology, and Web development companies in the New York City area. They have posted an excellent resource page from their June 2007 monthly meeting.

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
The nation’s foremost coalition of leaders from across the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work.

Earth Institute at Columbia University
Brings together talent from throughout Columbia University to address issues facing the planet and its inhabitants, with particular focus on sustainable development and the needs of the world's poor.

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
NRDC's Green Cities resource guide shows, with offices in New York, that even the largest urban areas can be managed better and greener.

Solar One
The City's first solar-powered Green Energy, Arts, and Education Center - inspiring New Yorkers to become more environmentally responsible city dwellers.

Sustainable South Bronx
This organization addresses land-use, energy, transportation, water and waste policy, and education in order to advance the environmental and economic rebirth of the South Bronx.

Recycle-a-Bicycle
An innovative youth training and environmental education initiative in New York City public schools.

If you would like to have your organization included here, please tell us about your activities using the Contact Information shown below.

New York State has some of the most generous and comprehensive incentives for promoting adoption of sustainable and green building design. The Green Building Tax Credit Program provides a total of $25 million in credits with the aggregate amount of credit components permitted for each building being $2 million. 

There are many consumer-directed incentives offered, as well.  Visit the NYSERDA website for more information.

NYCEDC also offers information about a variety of New York City business incentives designed to help businesses thrive. Visit our Financing & Incentives section.