During the second day of the United Nations Climate Action Summit on September 24, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams unveiled a set of ambitious green energy goals aimed at reducing New York City’s carbon footprint and accelerating its transition to renewable energy. The plan includes transitioning all city-owned buildings to 100% renewable energy by 2030 and expanding investments in solar and wind power infrastructure across the five boroughs.
“New York is setting the standard for urban sustainability,” Adams said, emphasizing the city’s commitment to leading by example in the fight against climate change. The announcement also included plans to install solar panels on over 1,000 public schools and to incentivize private building owners to adopt clean energy solutions.
Environmental groups praised the initiative, calling it a necessary step toward meeting the city’s carbon neutrality goal by 2050. “This is exactly the kind of leadership we need from major cities,” said Rachel Lin, a climate policy expert.
The announcement was a highlight of NYC’s participation in the climate summit, reinforcing the city’s position as a global leader in sustainability. Officials hope the plan will inspire other urban centers worldwide to adopt similarly bold measures to combat the climate crisis.
