New York City’s Local Law 97 (LL97) is a groundbreaking regulation aimed at reducing carbon emissions from buildings larger than 25,000 square feet, which are responsible for about 70% of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions. The law sets progressively stricter emission caps starting in 2024, with significant penalties for non-compliance. Among the many strategies for achieving compliance, living walls can serve as an innovative and effective solution by improving energy efficiency and reducing reliance on carbon-intensive systems. Let’s explore how!
What is NYC’s Local Law 97?
Local Law 97 (LL97), part of New York City’s Climate Mobilization Act, was enacted in 2019 to combat greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings. It targets buildings larger than 25,000 square feet, which account for approximately 70% of the city’s GHG emissions. LL97 imposes emissions caps that grow stricter in phases, with compliance periods spanning 2024–2029, 2030–2034, and 2035 onward. By 2050, buildings must achieve an 80% reduction in emissions from 2005 levels.
Building owners must measure and report annual emissions, including on-site fossil fuel use and electricity consumption. Penalties for non-compliance start at $268 per ton of CO2 exceeding the limits.
This legislation promotes energy-efficient retrofits, renewable energy integration, and green building practices to achieve its ambitious climate goals.
How Living Walls Contribute to LL97 Compliance
- Energy Efficiency Improvements
- Natural Insulation: Living walls reduce heating and cooling needs, helping buildings lower their emissions while staying within LL97 limits.
- Cooling Urban Environments: By combating the urban heat island effect, living walls lessen demand on air conditioning systems, indirectly reducing associated emissions.
- Emission Offsets and Carbon Reduction
- Carbon Sequestration: Plants in living walls absorb CO2, directly reducing a building’s carbon footprint.
- LEED Credits: Living walls support LEED certification, which aligns with LL97’s sustainability objectives and can aid compliance.
- Retrofitting Opportunities
- Adding green walls can be part of a building’s Prescriptive Energy Conservation Measures, a strategy LL97 allows for achieving compliance during early phases.
Practical Steps to Incorporate Living Walls
- Work with Experts: Partner with experienced living wall providers like Eco Brooklyn for custom designs that maximize energy efficiency.
- Leverage Incentives: Utilize programs like NYC’s Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing to fund green wall projects.
- Document Benefits: Use tools like the Energy Star Portfolio Manager to track energy savings and reduced emissions achieved through living walls.
Living walls not only support LL97 compliance but also enhance the building’s ambiance and resident experience. For tailored solutions and professional guidance, contact Eco Brooklyn to leverage our expertise in sustainable building systems.
References
[1] Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP: Local Law 97: What NYC Building Owners Need to Know – Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP
[2] NYC Accelerator: Official Resources for Sustainable Building Upgrades – NYC Accelerator
[3] The Architect’s Newspaper: Living Walls as Tools for Urban Sustainability – Insights
[4] US Green Building Council: Information on LEED Certification and Living Walls – Details here