Adapting to climate change in New York City and regulatory background Cover Image

Adapting to climate change in New York City and regulatory background
Adapting to climate change in New York City and regulatory background

Author(s): Elif Çolakoğlu
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Governance, Environmental and Energy policy
Published by: Rasim Özgür DÖNMEZ
Keywords: Climate Change; New York City; PlaNYC; Regulatory Background

Summary/Abstract: The catastrophic effects of climate change can be seen in New York City (“NYC”) today. As of now, the NYC as a coastal city has faced different climate risks such as heat waves and storm surges, which affect everyday life citywide, and, if current trends continue, they will become more frequent and severe. Hurricane Sandy which has devastated the East Coast is just the latest example. To strengthen its resilience, the NYC Administration comes forward particularly in this regard to commissioning expert scientific advice, formulating policy goals, setting standards and developing new institutions for environmental governance and sustainability. Locally, through PlaNYC, the City’s sustainability plan, the NYC Administration has pursued several initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with mostly 30 percent below current levels by 2030. Since 2002, the Administration stands out challenging climate change and its initiatives which are the examples of best practices at the municipal level. In this framework, this study describes the comprehensive effort to reduce GHG emissions, as well as provides NYC’s climate change projections and some of the potential risks to the NYC’s critical infrastructure posed by climate change. Also local legal documents determining the City’s climate policy and offering significant opportunities for implementation is examined.

  • Issue Year: 8/2016
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 160-181
  • Page Count: 22
  • Language: English