A Blueprint for Greening New York City’s Buildings

Buildings in the United States consume more energy than any other sector of the economy, including transportation or industry.

On average across the country, buildings consume 40 percent of energy and are responsible for 39 percent of CO2 emissions, according to the U.S. Green Building Council.

New York City’s buildings, however, are responsible for 66 percent of energy use and 77 percent of the metropolis’ greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Thomas Shortman Fund’s “Blueprint for the Greening of NYC’s Buildings.” 

This report, prepared by the fund and the Urban Green Council — the U.S. Green Building Council New York — looks at the challenges posed by green buildings and strategies to address it. 

The key is training the people who are the keepers of the keys and oversee daily operations of the city’s buildings: the building supers.