Topic
Environment
√ NY Agencies
Office of Climate and Environmental Justice
This office is responsible for developing and implementing sustainability policies and initiatives across all areas of the city government.
Department of Environmental Protection
This department is responsible for managing the city’s water supply and wastewater treatment systems, as well as regulating air quality and noise pollution. Mayor’s Management Report
Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability
This office focuses on developing long-term plans and strategies to address environmental challenges facing the city, such as climate change and sea level rise.
Department of Parks and Recreation
This department oversees the city’s parks and green spaces, and works to promote sustainability through initiatives such as urban forestry and green infrastructure. Mayor’s Management Report.
Department of Sanitation
This department manages the city’s waste collection and recycling programs, and also works to reduce waste through education and outreach efforts. Mayor’s Management Report
√ Reports
PlaNYC
PlaNYC. With a focus on action, PlaNYC: Getting Sustainability Done builds on the prior four plans while it faces the challenges and seizes the opportunities that are specific to today. It is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of climate change impacts in the city as they are happening, as well as a more complete picture of our GHG footprint.
OneNYC
OneNYC: This report, released in 2015, updated and expanded upon the goals laid out in PlaNYC, with a focus on addressing inequality and building resilience in the face of climate change.
Climate Resiliency Design Guidelines
This report, released in 2019, provides guidance for designing buildings and infrastructure that can withstand the impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise and extreme weather events.
New York City Panel on Climate Change (NPCC)
The NPCC, a group of climate experts tasked with advising the city on climate change, has released several reports on the impacts of climate change in New York City, including sea level rise, heat waves, and extreme weather events.
NYC Environmental Justice Report
This report, released in 2017, provides a comprehensive overview of environmental justice issues in New York City, including disparities in exposure to air pollution, access to green spaces, and access to healthy food.
The Future of Trash
This report is the outcome of a detailed study of New York City’s waste
generation, collection operations, international waste containerization
practices, equipment options, and the challenges New York City would
face in containerizing its daily waste.
Orange Sky, Red Alert: A Review of Air Quality Emergencies in NYC
In this paper, the public advocate details recommendations our city should implement moving forward to avoid health impacts on our most vulnerable New Yorkers and spikes in emergency room visits.
NEW YORK CITY DRINKING WATER SUPPLY AND QUALITY REPORT
DEP Scientists performed over 376,700 analyses on 32,300 samples from the distribution system in 2022.
PlaNYC
PlaNYC. With a focus on action, PlaNYC: Getting Sustainability Done builds on the prior four plans while it faces the challenges and seizes the opportunities that are specific to today. It is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of climate change impacts in the city as they are happening, as well as a more complete picture of our GHG footprint.
OneNYC
OneNYC: This report, released in 2015, updated and expanded upon the goals laid out in PlaNYC, with a focus on addressing inequality and building resilience in the face of climate change.
Climate Resiliency Design Guidelines
This report, released in 2019, provides guidance for designing buildings and infrastructure that can withstand the impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise and extreme weather events.
New York City Panel on Climate Change (NPCC)
The NPCC, a group of climate experts tasked with advising the city on climate change, has released several reports on the impacts of climate change in New York City, including sea level rise, heat waves, and extreme weather events.
NYC Environmental Justice Report
This report, released in 2017, provides a comprehensive overview of environmental justice issues in New York City, including disparities in exposure to air pollution, access to green spaces, and access to healthy food.
The Future of Trash
This report is the outcome of a detailed study of New York City’s waste
generation, collection operations, international waste containerization
practices, equipment options, and the challenges New York City would
face in containerizing its daily waste.
Orange Sky, Red Alert: A Review of Air Quality Emergencies in NYC
In this paper, the public advocate details recommendations our city should implement moving forward to avoid health impacts on our most vulnerable New Yorkers and spikes in emergency room visits.
NEW YORK CITY DRINKING WATER SUPPLY AND QUALITY REPORT
DEP Scientists performed over 376,700 analyses on 32,300 samples from the distribution system in 2022.
√ Data sets
New York City Community Air Survey
This survey collects data on air quality in neighborhoods across the city. The data includes measurements of pollutants like nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter, as well as meteorological data and information on emission sources.
New York City Greenhouse Gas Inventory
This inventory tracks greenhouse gas emissions in the city and provides data on emissions by source, including buildings, transportation, and waste.
New York City Open Data Portal
This portal provides access to a wide range of environmental data sets, including data on air quality, water quality, waste management, and more.
New York City Tree Census Data
This data set provides information on the location, species, and condition of trees across the city, as well as other data related to the city’s urban forest.
Parks Inspection Program
The Parks Inspection Program (PIP) is a comprehensive, outcome-based performance measurement system that generates frequent, random, and detailed inspections of our parks and playgrounds.
Spatial Equity NYC
Spatial Equity NYC document inequities in the ways that public space — including streets, sidewalks, and greenspaces – is designed, distributed, and accessed.
√ Data visualizations
Air Quality Index (AQI) map
This map shows the current AQI for different areas of the city, based on real-time data from air quality monitors. The map can help residents and visitors plan outdoor activities and avoid areas with high levels of pollution.
Greenhouse gas emissions chart
This chart shows the trend in greenhouse gas emissions in New York City over time, broken down by source (e.g. buildings, transportation, waste). The chart can help policymakers and residents understand the biggest sources of emissions and track progress towards the city’s emission reduction goals.
New York City's Trees and How We Care For Them
NYC Parks’ role in caring for the urban forest. This site has data and visualizations about the urban forest.
New York City Energy and Water Performance Map
This interactive map allows users to explore energy and water usage data for individual buildings across the city. The data includes information on energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and water usage.
NYC Climate Dashboard
The NYC Climate Dashboard tracks our city’s progress in meeting our climate goals by assessing how effectively the city is reducing our carbon emissions and how prepared our neighborhoods are for the impacts of climate change.
Environment and Health Data Portal
Understand how environments shape health in New York City. Contains a wide range of data and tools like the heat vulnerability index.
NYC FloodNet
In addition to the sensor network, FloodNet also provides a free, mobile-friendly web dashboard that allows New York City residents and other stakeholders to monitor and react to flood threats in real time.
NYCEM Hazard History & Consquences
Developed by NYC Emergency Management as an enhancement of the 2019 Hazard Mitigation Plan, this tool provides a user-friendly, accessible, and comprehensive look at NYC’s hazards and their consequences.
√ STATISTICS
Air Quality Complaints
2022, DEP
Trees Planted in NYC
FY 2022, DPR
Daily Waste Collection in NYC
million pounds, DSNY
air complaints received
In its annual Mayor’s Management report, the DEP reported receiving 12,326 air complaints. Source: Department of Environmental Protection – MMR
Sewer backup
During the first four months of fiscal 2022, the city saw two major storms, Hurricanes Henri and Ida, that resulted in a record-breaking 29 inches of rain and led to a 113 percent increase in sewer backup complaints. Source: Department of Environmental Protection – MMR
Trees Planted
The Department of Parks and Recreation planted 32468 trees, a 47 percent increase over FY 2021. The agency’s Capital Tree Planting Program planted its most street trees since Fiscal 2016 as contracts suspended due to COVID-19 resumed and newly implemented MWBE small purchase contracts attracted more bidders and competition to the program. Source: Department of Parks and Recreation – MMR
Waste collection
Recycling Summons
The Department of Sanitation issues summons for failing to follow recycling regulations. Source: Department of Sanitation – MMR
Air Quality Complaints
2022, DEP
Trees Planted in NYC
FY 2022, DPR
Daily Waste Collection in NYC
million pounds, DSNY
air complaints received
Sewer backup
Trees Planted
The Department of Parks and Recreation planted 32468 trees, a 47 percent increase over FY 2021. The agency’s Capital Tree Planting Program planted its most street trees since Fiscal 2016 as contracts suspended due to COVID-19 resumed and newly implemented MWBE small purchase contracts attracted more bidders and competition to the program. Source: Department of Parks and Recreation – MMR
Waste collection
Recycling Summons
√ Census & American Community Survey
Housing and transportation costs
The ACS provides data on the percentage of households in New York City that spend more than 30% of their income on housing and transportation costs. High housing and transportation costs can make it difficult for people to live in walkable neighborhoods and access public transportation, which can impact the environment.
Commuting patterns
The ACS provides data on the commuting patterns of New York City residents, including the percentage of people who commute by car, public transportation, biking, or walking. This data can help policymakers understand the transportation needs of different neighborhoods and prioritize investments in sustainable transportation infrastructure.
Housing age and type
The Census provides data on the age and type of housing units in New York City, including the percentage of units that are single-family homes, apartments, or other types of housing. This data can help policymakers understand the housing needs of different neighborhoods and prioritize investments in energy-efficient and sustainable housing.
Demographic characteristics
The Census and ACS provide data on the demographic characteristics of New York City residents, including race, ethnicity, income, and education level. This data can help policymakers understand how environmental issues intersect with social and economic inequality and identify opportunities to promote environmental justice.
Housing and transportation costs
Commuting patterns
Housing age and type
Housing age and type
Demographic characteristics
√ Non-Profits
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
New York City Environmental Justice Alliance (NYC-EJA)
Riverkeeper
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
Greenpeace USA
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is a national environmental organization that works to protect the environment through advocacy, research, and litigation. EDF has an office in New York City that focuses on issues such as climate change, air pollution, and water quality.
√ Experts
Cynthia Rosenzweig - NASA
William Solecki - CUNY
Elizabeth Yeampierre - UPROSE
Klaus Jacob - Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Peggy Shepard - WE ACT
√ Journal Articles
"Fixing NYC Parks Capital Construction Process to Revitalize Aging Parks"
"Are green cities healthy and equitable?"
Unpacking the relationship between health, green space and gentrification. Helen V S Cole, et al. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 2017.
"Approaching a zero-waste strategy by reuse in New York City: Challenges and potential"
2020. Waste Manag Res. In New York City (NYC), the aspiring target of zero waste to landfills is robustly engaging the often poorly understood solid waste management technique of reuse.