Dirty Buildings Campaign

​

​After years of organizing, the Climate Works for All coalition achieved a historic climate victory with the passage of the Dirty Buildings legislation in April 2019. This bill, now Local Law 97 (LL97), requires large buildings over 25,000 square feet to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. 

 

With buildings responsible for 70% of citywide emissions, this world-first legislation will have the single most significant impact on reductions to the city’s greenhouse gas emissions to date, and provides a critical path to mitigate the threat of climate change in the most vulnerable communities. 

 

As we enter into the first compliance period (2024 - 2029) mandated under LL97, there is more work to be done. Our coalition is fighting to ensure the effective implementation of the law to create a healthier environment for all New Yorkers.

 

Past research has shown that the full implementation of Local Law 97 could lead to the creation of 141,000 direct jobs in the NYC metro area to implement building energy efficiency upgrades and improvements. In partnership with our labor partners, we want to ensure that these jobs are accessible to low-income workers of color and women through targeted recruitment, training, and hiring.

 

Climate Works for All is working to ensure the complete and equitable implementation of Local Law 97, which would:

• Significantly reduce citywide greenhouse gas emissions

• Lead to immediate public health benefits 

• Generate tens of thousands of good green jobs and support businesses

• Create training and workforce development opportunities and programs for high-quality, career-track employment, prioritizing communities who have historically suffered from air pollution.

Read more about the coalition’s positions on Local Law 97 here.