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NYC's government is using less energy and emitting less, report says
By
Liam Quigley
Published Jan 5, 2026
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Jake Dobkin / Gothamist
By
Liam Quigley
Published Jan 5, 2026
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The cogs of New York City's government are using less energy to keep turning, and also emitting less, according to a report from the Department of Citywide Administrative Services.
The report found that carbon emissions from municipal government operations have dropped 31% since 2006 — their lowest levels in decades. City government also reduced energy consumption from buildings by 16% relative to average levels between 2006 and 2010, according to the report.
The reductions came after a push to retrofit old buildings with more energy efficient systems and install more solar power. The city installed 7.1 megawatts of solar across 35 sites over the past fiscal year, bringing total installed municipal solar capacity to 32.5 megawatts, the report found.
Sana Barakat, the city’s chief decarbonization officer, said the city is working to reach a mandated 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2006 levels under Local Law 97. The report comes as New York City has sought to crack down on private buildings that aren’t meeting energy efficiency standards. Buildings account for roughly 70% of citywide emissions, according to the city’s Getting 97 Done plan.
“Our work doesn’t stop here. We will keep pushing forward, finding the highest-impact opportunities, and raising the bar for what the city government can achieve,” she said.
The report said that targets can be “rebalanced” over time as agencies refine their decarbonization strategies.
Progress has been slower at larger agencies like the Department of Education, which reduced emissions by 14% since 2006. The DOE, which oversees more than 1,400 facilities across the city, was the largest emitter by far, according to the report. The second largest emitter, NYC Health and Hospitals, reduced emissions 28% during the same period. The Human Resources Administration, already one of the lowest emitters, saw the biggest drop, at 65%.
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new york city
Liam Quigley
Liam Quigley is a reporter covering parks & sanitation for Gothamist and WNYC. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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