NYC building owners cooperate on emissions caps, but challenges will mount

By Mona Zhang | 10/15/2025 06:17 AM EDT

The city is relaxing its deadlines for its ambitious law to cap building emissions

The lower Manhattan skyline is seen from across the Hudson River.

Buildings make up over two-thirds of the city's greenhouse gas emissions. Local Law 97 aims to get to net-zero emissions by 2050. Juan Mabromata/AFP via Getty Images

NEW YORK — The vast majority of New York City building owners are taking steps to comply with a controversial law to slash emissions from large buildings.

About 94 percent of properties have filed required reports, requested an extension from the city or are working with Department of Buildings to figure out their next steps, according to data provided to POLITICO.

Even buildings owned by the Trump Organization are compliant with the law’s initial requirements — despite the president being notoriously hostile toward efforts to address climate change.

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Local Law 97, enacted in 2019, caps greenhouse gas emissions for buildings over 25,000 square feet, which make up about 60 percent of buildings in the city. There are roughly 23,000 buildings covered by the law. Over two-thirds of New York City’s greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings, according to the city.

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