Climate Justice
Plans to address climate change, reduce emissions, and create green jobs.
About this Issue
Learn more about this important topic.
Plans to address climate change, reduce emissions, and create green jobs.
Climate change poses an existential threat to New York City, with rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and air pollution disproportionately affecting low-income communities and communities of color.
Key climate justice issues include:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to renewable energy
- Protecting vulnerable communities from climate impacts
- Creating green jobs and ensuring a just transition for workers
- Improving public transportation and reducing car dependency
- Addressing environmental racism and ensuring equitable access to green spaces
The next mayor must prioritize climate action while ensuring that environmental benefits and burdens are distributed equitably.
Candidate Positions
Ordered from most-likely to least-likely to fight for the working class on this issue
Zohran Mamdani
Mamdani supports a Green New Deal for New York with investments in renewable energy, green infrastructure, and public transportation. He advocates for divesting public pension funds from fossil fuels and holding corporate polluters accountable.
Brad Lander
Lander has been a leader on climate issues, supporting the city's Green New Deal, divesting pension funds from fossil fuels, and implementing green infrastructure. He advocates for environmental justice and a just transition to renewable energy.
Scott Stringer
Stringer has advocated for divesting city pension funds from fossil fuels and investing in renewable energy. He supports green infrastructure, building retrofits, and climate resilience projects.
Zellnor Myrie
Myrie supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and advocates for environmental justice in communities of color. He has pushed for investments in renewable energy and green infrastructure.
Adrienne Adams
Adams supports the city's climate goals and has backed legislation to reduce carbon emissions from buildings. She advocates for green infrastructure and climate resilience projects, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Andrew Cuomo
Cuomo has supported some climate initiatives, including offshore wind development and the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. However, critics argue, as governor, his administration did not move quickly enough to transition away from fossil fuels and did not prioritize environmental justice. He has not shared how his approach would be different if elected mayor.
Why This Issue Matters
Climate Justice
Climate change poses an existential threat to New York City, with rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and air pollution disproportionately affecting low-income communities and communities of color.
The next mayor must prioritize reducing emissions, investing in renewable energy, creating green jobs, and ensuring that environmental benefits and burdens are distributed equitably.