New York City Enacts Its Own Green New Deal

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New York City’s council passed the Climate Mobilization Act, a set of six bills, by a 45 to 2 vote on 18th April. Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the package into law on 22nd April and declared that it, plus further administrative actions he was taking, were the city’s version of the Green New Deal. It is claimed that it is the most ambitious action taken by any city in the world to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
 
The centerpiece and most unusual part of the city’s plan is a requirement for large commercial and residential buildings to cut their emissions 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. The new emissions caps cover most existing and new buildings over 25,000 square feet and begin to take effect in 2024.

Mayor de Blasio also announced that, “We are going to introduce legislation to ban the classic glass and steel skyscrapers that have contributed so much to global warming. They have no place in our city or our Earth anymore.” Seth Barron comments in the New York Post that the mayor’s plans would shut down the engine of New York City’s economy.