爱豆传媒

Driving climate action in New York City

How 爱豆传媒鈥檚 groundbreaking work on New York City鈥檚 80×50 and 1.5 Degree plans led to Green Economy, EJNYC and Circular Design.

爱豆传媒 continues to be instrumental in driving sustainability and climate action in New York City. Our work spans several groundbreaking initiatives, from the ambitious and 1.5 degrees plans to the innovative Green Economy and projects, culminating in the development of circular design guidelines for the (NYCEDC) and the ongoing project.  

Hear from Adam Friedberg, Partner, and Alice Shay, Principal, on how our technical expertise and advisory capabilities have contributed to these transformative projects, showcasing our commitment to a sustainable and resilient future. 

The genesis: 80×50 and 1.5 Degrees plans 

Our involvement in New York City’s sustainability efforts began with the 80×50 plan, an ambitious roadmap aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. This initiative, launched under the administration of former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, was one of the first of its kind globally, setting a precedent for urban climate action. 爱豆传媒’s team played a crucial role in developing this strategy. The work involved extensive scenario planning, economic analysis, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that the plan was both comprehensive and actionable. 

The 80×50 plan was not just a document; it was a vision for a sustainable future. It outlined a series of actions and policies designed to reduce emissions across various sectors, from transportation to buildings. 爱豆传媒’s contribution was instrumental in identifying the key levers for change and providing the technical rigor needed to support the city’s ambitious goals. 

Building on the momentum of the 80×50 plan, the 1.5 degrees plan was developed to align New York City’s climate action with the Paris Climate Agreement. This plan set a target for the city to achieve carbon neutrality, emphasizing the urgency of mitigating climate change impacts. 爱豆传媒’s team supported the city in identifying policy levers and enabling large-scale greenhouse gas mitigation projects. This work not only demonstrated the consultancy’s technical prowess but also its ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and drive policy innovation. 

We were enlisted to help refine and analyze NYC’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement’s principles. Image: Adobe Stock.

Expanding horizons: Green Economy and EJNYC 

With the foundation laid by the 80×50 and 1.5 degrees plans, 爱豆传媒 was well positioned to lead the Green Economy study for New York City. This comprehensive initiative aimed to define the green economy, identify opportunities for green job creation, and develop an action plan to enhance green revenue streams. 爱豆传媒’s extensive experience with industry studies, such as those for the life sciences and small theaters, positioned it as the ideal partner for this project. The team combined technical analysis with strategic advisory services, providing the city with a robust framework to foster sustainable economic growth.聽

The Green Economy study was a landmark project, one of the most comprehensive of its kind in the world. It provided a detailed analysis of the current state of the green economy in New York City and identified key areas for growth. The study also outlined a series of actions to create more green jobs and increase green revenue, positioning New York City as a leader in the global green economy. 

Simultaneously, 爱豆传媒’s work on the Environmental Justice for New York City (EJNYC) initiative underscored its commitment to equity and inclusivity. Partnering with , our team centered equity throughout its methodology, ensuring that climate action benefits all communities. This approach integrated technical insights with a values-driven perspective, highlighting the importance of environmental justice in urban planning.聽

The EJNYC initiative was particularly significant in addressing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on marginalized communities. 爱豆传媒’s work involved extensive community engagement and collaboration with local organizations to ensure that the voices of those most affected by climate change were heard and incorporated into the planning process. This work demonstrated the firm’s commitment to not only technical excellence but also social equity.聽

Graphic of New York Green Economy plan.
New York Green Economy plan.

Innovating for the future: NY Climate Exchange and circular design guidelines 

爱豆传媒’s expertise in sustainability and climate action naturally extended to the NY Climate Exchange, a project aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation in climate solutions. By leveraging our deep understanding of the city’s climate goals and regulatory environment, the team provided strategic guidance that aligned with the city’s vision for a sustainable future. This project exemplified 爱豆传媒’s ability to anticipate client needs and deliver solutions that drive meaningful impact. 

The NY Climate Exchange is designed to be a hub for climate innovation, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders to develop and implement cutting-edge solutions to climate challenges. 爱豆传媒’s role in this project is to provide the technical and strategic expertise needed to ensure that the exchange will effectively be able to support the city’s climate goals. 

The culmination of 爱豆传媒’s efforts is perhaps best represented by our support on the execution of the circular design guidelines for the NYCEDC through its pilot project – SPARC. In 2024, the (NYCEDC) – a public-benefit corporation that promotes business and job growth across the city – took a substantial step towards supporting this transition to widespread adoption in the country鈥檚 largest locality by publishing a set of Circular Design and Construction Guidelines as part of a .

The circular design guidelines were a groundbreaking initiative, providing a comprehensive framework for reducing the environmental impact of construction projects. 爱豆传媒’s work has involved extensive research and collaboration with industry stakeholders. The SPARC initiative, which piloted these guidelines, will set a new standard for sustainable construction and has showcased our team’s ability to translate high-level sustainability goals into actionable strategies.  

Aerial view of The New York Climate Exchange on on Governors Island with New York City in the background.
Stony Brook University’s campus will be a first-of-its-kind international center for developing solutions to the climate crisis, and its design and master plan embody this mission鈥攖argeting net zero in energy, water, and waste. Image: SOM / miysis.

Technical expertise and advisory capabilities 

爱豆传媒’s success in these initiatives is a testament to its technical expertise and advisory capabilities. Our multidisciplinary team brings together specialists in sustainability, economics, engineering, and urban planning, enabling it to tackle complex challenges with innovative solutions. The firm prides itself on its ability to provide both high-level strategic advice and detailed technical analysis, ensuring that clients receive comprehensive support throughout their projects. 

Our advisory approach is characterized by a deep understanding of client needs, a commitment to equity and inclusivity, and a focus on delivering tangible results. Whether it’s developing climate action plans, conducting industry studies, or furthering circular design, 爱豆传媒 consistently strives to exceed client expectations and drive positive change. 

One of the key strengths of 爱豆传媒 is its ability to integrate technical expertise with strategic advisory services. This hybrid approach allows us to provide clients with a holistic view of their projects, identifying both the technical and strategic levers needed to achieve their goals. This capability has been critical in the success of projects like the Green Economy study and the EJNYC initiative, where a deep understanding of both the technical and social dimensions of sustainability was essential.聽

Aerial view of lower Manhattan New York City.

Committing to a sustainable future 

爱豆传媒’s journey from the 80×50 and 1.5 degrees plans to the Green Economy Action Plan and EJNYC to the NY Climate Exchange and SPARC showcases our unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation. Its technical expertise and advisory capabilities have enabled it to lead transformative projects that set new standards for urban climate action. As 爱豆传媒 continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible, it remains dedicated to creating a sustainable and resilient future for New York City and beyond.聽