In 2008, the New York City government made leaps and bounds on the issue of sustainability. The City Council adopted a number of important bills, including legislation establishing plastic bag and electronic-waste recycling, zoning changes that will require more trees to be planted and making the Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability a permanent part of government.

NYLCVEF's 2009 New York City Policy Agenda calls for building on these recent successes while also addressing the current fiscal crisis and loss of jobs. The agenda - which will be distributed to policymakers, elected officials, agency heads and our partners in the environmental, business and labor communities - details NYLCVEF's four major policy goals.

They include green buildings - 79 percent of the city's greenhouse gas emissions come from existing buildings - transportation and parking reform, solid waste management and recycling reform and, finally, administrative reforms that improve environmental accountability.

The overarching goal of the New York City Agenda is to help reduce energy use, foster energy independence, create a sustainable solid waste management system and lay a foundation for future economic success.

-Elizabeth Mooney

Newsletter Issue

• Ecopolitics -- Spring 2009