New York City isn’t just dreaming about a greener future — it’s building one.

This Earth Day, we celebrate the real progress happening right here in the five boroughs. From ambitious laws to grassroots movements, NYC has spent the last year — and the past decade — proving that bold environmental change is possible, even in one of the world’s busiest cities.

New York City has emerged as a leader in sustainability over the years with the wide range of implemented policies. These policies aim to reduce emissions, preserve natural resources, and create a healthier urban environment for all of its inhabitants. This Earth Day, we take a closer look at how far the city has come, and where it’s heading next.

NYC’s Environmental Progress in 2024–2025

Over the past year, New York City has taken remarkable strides in advancing sustainability and protecting the environment. Among the major initiatives:

• Local Law 97 Implementation: In 2024, NYC began enforcing Local Law 97, requiring large buildings to drastically cut their carbon emissions. With penalties for noncompliance, the city saw a sharp uptick in retrofits, green building designs, and clean energy adoption.
• Curbside Composting Expansion: The city’s Department of Sanitation successfully rolled out universal curbside composting to all five boroughs, making organic waste recycling easier than ever. Early results show a significant decrease in landfill contributions. In fact, this law has been so successful that they had to open a new composting site.
• Electrifying the Fleet: New York City committed to converting its entire municipal fleet to electric vehicles (EVs) by 2035. In 2024 alone, over 1,000 new EVs hit the streets, including sanitation trucks and school buses.
• Green Streetscapes and Public Spaces: NYC Parks planted thousands of new trees, expanded green roofs, and launched new urban gardens from vacant lots, creating healthier and more resilient neighborhoods. This act also aims to protect green spaces amid controversies like the proposed casino project in Queens.
• Congestion Pricing: After much debate, this act was launched in 2025, designed to reduce traffic in lower Manhattan while generating funds for public transportation.
• Youth Climate Corps Launch: A city-sponsored Climate Corps for young adults began its inaugural year, offering green job training and community engagement projects, fostering the next generation of environmental leader. Although the bill is still finding it’s way though the Senate

A Decade of NYC’s Climate Action (2015–2025)

Looking back over the past ten years, New York City’s commitment to climate action has been nothing short of transformative. Some major milestones include:

• Climate Mobilization Act (2019): Often called NYC’s “Green New Deal,” this set of laws targeted emissions from buildings, the city’s largest source of carbon pollution.
• Ban on Styrofoam (2020): After years of advocacy, NYC implemented a ban on single-use foam products, reducing waste and protecting waterways.
• Resiliency Projects Post-Hurricane Sandy: Billions were invested in coastal defenses, elevated parks, and resilient infrastructure to safeguard against future storms.
• OneNYC 2050 Plan: A sweeping vision launched in 2019 to make NYC the most resilient, equitable, and sustainable city in the world by 2050.
• Transportation Initiatives: There have been a multitude of greener transportation beside EVs. With expanded bike lines, “Open street” programs, and making streets more pedestrian friendly.

Over the past decade, these efforts have shown that strong policies, community action, and innovation make a difference. They can change the trajectory of urban environmental health.

Why It Matters – and What’s Next

The tangible benefits of New York’s environmental policies are already beginning to emerge. Air quality has improved. Landfill contributions are decreasing. Urban spaces are becoming more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Perhaps most importantly, if sustainability can thrive here, it can thrive anywhere.

These laws and initiatives show that even amidst challenges, a collective commitment to greener practices creates tangible results. Cleaner air, healthier communities, green jobs, and a more resilient city — all are within reach when we work together. however, know that the work is far from over. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and the need for environmental justice in underserved communities present ongoing challenges. Climate resilience must remain a central priority, particularly for vulnerable neighborhoods disproportionately affected by environmental degradation.

Looking ahead, New York City is preparing to expand green infrastructure projects, such as rain gardens and green roofs, to better manage stormwater and combat urban heat islands. Investments in offshore wind energy and battery storage are poised to revolutionize the city’s energy grid. As well as other acts and bills that are making their way through the NY senate.

Every New Yorker has a role to play — from choosing reusable bags to supporting local environmental initiatives.

As we celebrate Earth Day 2025, let’s honor how far we’ve come and look forward to the greener, stronger, and more sustainable New York City we’re building together.

Happy Earth Day! 🌍