sumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions mandates a 30% greenhouse gas reduction for
municipal facilities and operations by 2017
from 2006 levels. Around 50% of the reductions will come from efficiencies in buildings,
32% from improved power generation and
18% from transportation. The city has allocated
$280 million for the plan, and has begun more
than 200 projects, 80 of which have been completed. A further 118 projects currently in the
pipeline will save the city an additional $29 million a year and reduce annual greenhouse gas
emissions by an estimated 117,000 megatons
of CO2 equivalent.
Energy: 22nd, 53.8 points
This is New York’s weakest category in the Index.
The city consumes 500 gigajoules of electricity
per $1 million of GDP, compared with an Index
average of 332. On a per capita basis the city
uses 65 gigajoules per person, once again more
than the overall average of 52 gigajoules. New
York’s higher than average levels of consumption
come despite high population density and an
abundance of tall buildings, which tend to be
more efficient (indeed, New York ranks seventh
in the buildings category). Nonetheless, New
York’s thriving economy requires considerable
energy, especially its vast financial services sector, which is one of the most energy intensive
service industries. And although the city plans to
offer tax incentives for solar power, and is piloting wave power and waste-to-energy projects,
large-scale green and local energy projects so far
remain limited.
New York City
US and Canada Green City Index
N
Background indicators
Total population 1)
8.4 million
Administrative area (miles2) 1)
303
GDP per person (real) (US$) 2)
56,900
Temperature (24-hour average, annual) (°F) 1)
Goods employment (%) 2)
Services employment (%) 2)
Geographical basis: 1) City, 2) MSA
88
55
9
91
ew York City is the largest city in the US, and
with 8.4 million residents in the city proper
it is by far the largest in the US and Canada
Green City Index. Indeed, with some 19 million
people in the metropolitan area, New York is one
of the most populous cities in the world,
although this analysis is largely based on city
indicators. The city is the economic powerhouse
of North America and boasts a GDP per person of
$56,900. A global financial and business capital,
New York’s economy is 91% service based. In
addition to the dominant role that finance and
insurance play in the local economy, the city
is also a major hub for media and the arts.
New York’s population and wealth make it
unique within this Index, as does its population
density – four of the city’s five boroughs are on
islands, constraining its lateral growth.
New York ranks third overall in the Index. It is the
top ranking city in land use, transport and environmental governance, and finishes third in the
CO2 and air categories. In particular, New York
has by far the highest population density and percentage of workers commuting by public transport, bicycle, or by foot, while also producing top
performances in several air and water indicators.
While the city’s high rankings stem in part from its
enormous population, which produce favorable
per capita scores, New York also fares well in
comparison to other large cities in the Index.
Measured against large cities, New York ranks
first in every category except for waste and energy. Additionally, New York has one of the highest
percentages of green space, belying its population density.
sions per capita and CO2 emissions per unit of
GDP. With emissions of 145 metric tons of CO2
per $1 million of GDP, the city has the second
lowest levels in the Index and is well below the
Index average of 296 metric tons. Likewise, New
York’s per capita emissions are 8.6 metric tons
versus the Index average of 14.5. The city’s
strong CO2 performance is a reflection of its efficient transportation network and a comparatively low use of coal in its energy mix. New
York’s CO2 score is expected to improve further
in the coming years as the city has set ambitious
targets for emissions reductions (see “green initiatives” below) and the city’s greenhouse gas
reduction plan is rated as one of the best in the
Index.
CO2: Third, 89.4 points
Green initiatives: Launched in 2007, New
York’s Long-Term Plan to Reduce Energy Con-
New York ranks well both in terms of CO2 emis-
Green initiatives: New York is conducting feasibility studies and streamlining permitting procedures for cogeneration – the use of a heat
engine or a power station to simultaneously
generate both electricity and useful heat – and
has planned a 15-megawatt cogeneration plant.
Additionally, New York is creating an online
“solar map” that will enable residents to evaluate
the potential for solar power production on the
buildings in which they live and work.
Land use: First, 93 points
Along with transport, this is New York’s
strongest category. New York is the most densely populated city in the Index, with 27,700 people per square mile, more than three times the
average of 8,100 people. Yet, despite such a
high population density, the city has also managed to maintain and develop green space –
most notably Central Park, but also several other
parks and coastlines throughout the five boroughs. With 20% of the city’s area considered
green space, New York ranks second overall,
well above the Index average of 12%. As the city
has shifted away from industrial production it
has been active in promoting brownfield development, and New York’s land use policies are
among the best in the Index.
Green initiatives: The Million Trees Program
created in 2007 aims to plant 1 million trees by
2017. New York is currently ahead of its goal,
having planted an average of 19,000 street trees
each of the past three years and planting in total
over 430,000 trees in parks, open spaces and
private backyards. Additionally, in 2010 New
York created the Green Property Certification
Program to do for brownfields what Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) has
done for green buildings. Certification under the
program provides tangible evidence of the
brownfield clean-up and can help developers
market the environmental quality of their properties, much in the way that LEED has become a
key selling point for buildings.
Buildings: Seventh, 68.7 points
New York’s comparatively strong showing in the
buildings category is a reflection of ambitious
policies. New York, for example, is one of just
three cities in the Index that requires energy
New York City
Best
Average
CO2
100
80
Environmental
governance
Energy
60
40
20
Air
Land use
0
Transport
Buildings
Waste
Water
89
gy costs by $700 million annually by 2030.
Together these measures ensure that the city’s
energy code applies to all public and private construction projects, require annual energy efficiency benchmarking, and mandate a set of
cost-effective energy efficiency upgrades and
evaluations of the city’s largest buildings.
Green initiatives: As of 2010 the Department
of Environmental Protection, which provides
water services in New York, had installed over
278,000 automated meters and expects to
install a total of 834,000 by January 2012. As a
result of metering and water conservation promotion, New York’s water consumption rate is
now at its lowest in 50 years.
Transport: First, 76.6 points
New York’s domination of this category is a
result of the extensive subway and bus networks
that span the city’s five boroughs. The network
measures 1.8 miles per square mile of city territory, well above the Index mean of 1.1 miles.
High population density encourages walking
and biking as well. Indeed, New York ranks first
overall in the number of workers walking, biking
or taking public transport to work – 37% of New
Yorkers commute by means other than private
car, a full eight percentage points above the second highest city, Montreal, and well above the
Index average of 13%. New York also has the
highest number of “annual vehicle revenue
miles” (a measure of public transport supply),
with 68 miles per person compared with an
Index average of just 24. The city has the second
highest number of public transport vehicles per
square mile, at 45 vehicles, compared with the
Index average of nine. Furthermore, New York’s
green transit efforts include the largest hybridelectric bus fleet in the world, with 855 hybrid
buses as of 2009.
efficiency audits. It also mandates that new
buildings meet energy efficiency standards, and
offers incentives for energy efficiency retrofits,
including targeted incentives for businesses.
New York’s buildings score is weighed down,
however, by a low percentage of LEED-certified
buildings. In an instance where the city’s large
population hurts its per capita indicators, New
York has just 1.1 LEED certified buildings per
100,000 people, well below the average of 6.4.
Green initiatives: In December 2009 New
York approved the Greener, Greater Buildings
laws, the most comprehensive set of efficiency
regulations in the US, which aim to reduce ener-
90
Green initiatives: Green Light for Midtown,
a pilot project launched in May 2009 that has
now been made permanent, created expanded
pedestrian plazas in Herald Square and Times
Square. Overall, the program produced a
63% reduction in injuries to motorists, a 35% reduction in pedestrian injuries and a 7% improvement in taxi speeds. New York has also
doubled the number of bicycle lanes in the city
in the last three years and met its goal of building 200 miles of bicycle lanes ahead of schedule
in 2009. In the last year, the city has seen bicycle commuting increase 26%.
Water: Third, 88.8 points
New York’s strong placement in this category is
driven by the city’s low level of water consumption, at just 69 gallons of water per person
per day, less than half the Index average of
155 gallons. The city’s water policies have effectively curbed consumption levels, and these
include incentives for installing low-flow appliances and discount water rates for buildings that
use recycled water. New York’s water leakage
rate is 14%, just above the Index average of 13%,
mainly due to an aging network, with some
water mains more than 100 years old.
Waste: 16th, 53.1 points
This is one of New York’s weaker categories. The
city’s score is bolstered by a better than average recycling rate, at 30%, compared to the
Index average of 26%. Where the city lags, however, is in policies related to sustainable waste
management. New York relies primarily on
awareness campaigns rather than direct incentives for waste reduction.
Green initiatives: The Apartment Building
Recycling Initiative allows tenants to volunteer
to increase recycling in their building. Residents
who volunteer for the program receive a site
visit from staff who offer personalized recycling
tips, as well as free materials to encourage all
residents to recycle more.
Environmental governance:
First, 100 points
New York tops the Index in environmental
governance, along with Washington and Denver. There is strong support from the top the
mayor, Michael Bloomberg, is a driving force
behind the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group.
New York’s environmental strategy, international commitments and customized environmental
awareness campaigns are all considered among
the best in the Index. Furthermore, the city has
four separate environmental departments that
are responsible for driving policy on a vast range
of environmental issues.
Green initiatives: In addition to generally
strong environmental oversight at city level, New
York is developing customized environmental
awareness campaigns tailored to specific sectors
of the public, including the press, schoolchildren
and those in the building trades. The city is also
focusing on schools. New York established its first
“green” public school in 2008 and has plans to
build more. The school is equipped with a computerized heating and cooling system, and natural lighting, to conserve electricity. Meanwhile,
students are educated on the merits of conserving energy and participate in conservation projects. Finally, the New York state Green Schools
Challenge provides extra funding to schools,
including those in New York City, that are developing programs to improve waste reduction,
reuse, recycling and composting.
Air: Third, 89.2 points
New York’s placement in the air category is a
reflection of low per capita emissions in all pollutants measured in the Index. New York emits
29 lb of nitrogen oxides per person each year,
considerably less than the average of 66 lb, placing it at the top of the Index. Likewise, New York
ranks first, along with Vancouver, with particulate matter emissions of 6 lb per person, well
below the Index average of 25 lb. Sulfur dioxide
emissions of 10 lb per person each year also
come in below the 22 lb Index mean. While the
city’s service-based economy and low automobile usage are major contributors to the comparatively low levels of air pollution, policy efforts
have also contributed to improved air quality.
Indeed, New York aims to have the best air quality of any big city in the US.
Green initiatives: New York has sought to
mandate the use of cleaner taxis and offer
tax breaks to fuel-efficient taxis. While courts
have blocked the city from introducing these
measures thus far, in anticipation of future
requirements almost 25% of the city’s
13,200 yellow cabs have converted to hybrid or
clean diesel vehicles, giving New York the
largest fleet of clean vehicle taxis in the country. Additionally, in 2010 New York unveiled a
comprehensive agreement that will cut harmful
pollution from the Port of New York and New
Jersey by launching a $28 million truck replacement program.
Quantitative indicators
Category
Indicator
CO2
CO2 emissions per unit of GDP (metric tons/US$m)
Energy
Land use
Average
New York
Year
Basis
Source
Comments
296.4
145.0
2002
MSA
Purdue University – The Vulcan Project;
US Bureau of Economic Analysis
Using MSA GDP
CO2 emissions per person (metric tons)
14.5
8.6
2002
MSA
Purdue University – The Vulcan Project;
US Census Bureau
Using MSA population
Electricity consumption per unit of US$ GDP (TJ/US$m)
0.33
0.50
2009
City
City of New York; US Bureau of Economic Using MSA GDP
Analysis
Electricity consumption per person (GJ)
52.2
64.7
2009
City
City of New York;
US Census Bureau
Using city population
Using area of city in 2000
Green spaces as % of total area (%)
11.9
19.7
2008
City
Trust for Public Land; US Census Bureau
Population density (persons/miles2)
8,106.8
27,666.8
2009
City
US Census Bureau
6.4
1.1
2010
City
US Green Building Council;
US Census Bureau
13.0
37.2
2009
MSA
Buildings
Number of LEED certified buildings (silver, gold or platinum)
(buildings/100,000 persons)
Transport
Share of workers traveling by public transport, bicycle, or foot (%)
Length of public transport (miles/miles2)
US Census Bureau American Community
Survey
1.1
1.8
2009 Metro-area
National Transit Database
Using service area square miles
Annual vehicle revenue miles (miles/person)
24.4
68.5
2009 Metro-area
National Transit Database
Using service area population
Maximum public transport vehicles available
per square mile (vehicles/miles2)
9.0
44.9
2009 Metro-area
National Transit Database
Using service area square miles
28.9
34.6
2009
US Census Bureau American Community
Survey
Average commute time from residence to work (minutes)
Waste
Recycled municipal waste (%)
Water
Total water consumption per person per day (gallons)
Water leakages in water distribution system (%)
Air
Using city population
MSA
25.8
30.4
2006
City
155.1
69.3
2005
MSA
City of New York
USGS
Using USGS publicly supplied
population
12.8
14.2
2009
City
Nitrogen oxides emissions per annum (pounds/person)
66
29
2005
County
City of New York
EPA; US Census Bureau
Using county population
Particulate matter (PM10) emissions per annum (pounds/person)
25
6
2005
County
EPA; US Census Bureau
Using county population
Sulfur dioxide emissions per annum (pounds/person)
22
10
2005
County
EPA; US Census Bureau
Using county population
91