City Council Speaker Christine QuinnAccording to the Environmental News Service, the New York City Council on Wednesday passed the New York City Climate Protection Act. The bill codifies the greenhouse-gas reductions sought by Mayor Michael Bloomberg's PlaNYC and ensures that future leaders will be bound by its targets.

The legislation (Intro 20-A) requires the city to meet two climate reduction goals: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from city operations by at least 30 percent by the year 2017, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions citywide (including from homes and businesses) by at least 30 percent by the year 2030. Bloomberg supports and is expected to approve the bill.

“If we don’t make difficult decisions now, we’re going to face even tougher choices down the road,” said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. “The Climate Protection Act is a clear, forward-thinking plan for reducing New York City’s greenhouse gas emissions, helping to make sure our city stays on the right track toward responsible and sustainable environmental policy.”

The Climate Protection Act will achieve greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide) reductions through a blend of mandatory, market-based and voluntary approaches. The city is already implementing some measures, including the planting of carbon dioxide-absorbing trees and new building codes that will create more energy-efficient buildings.

Future steps include creating a market for renewable energies through guaranteed purchasing contracts, creating a New York City Energy Planning Board, encouraging transit-oriented development and championing a congestion pricing plan to reduce dependence on fossil-fuel burning vehicles. In addition, the City Council is currently examining legislation to increase the use of biofuels as a heating source.