The Chief Climate Officer and the Office of Climate and Environmental Justice
WHEREAS, we face an unprecedented global climate emergency; and
WHEREAS, the Sixth Assessment Report published by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change determined that changes to the climate are widespread and rapid, requiring immediate and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, climate change is already impacting New York City, and in 2021 alone the city suffered from several extreme weather events, including record rainfall from Hurricane Ida that resulted in the death of several New Yorkers, flash flooding and damage to property; and
WHEREAS, the world’s leading climate scientists, including the New York City Panel on Climate Change, predict that the impacts of climate change will worsen if action is not taken to curb emissions; and
WHEREAS, section 20 of the New York City Charter requires the mayor to establish an office of long-term planning and sustainability to, among other things, develop and coordinate the implementation of policies, programs and actions to meet the long-term needs of the city, with respect to its infrastructure, environment and overall sustainability; and
WHEREAS, this Administration is committed to positioning New York City as a worldwide leader on climate change and environmental justice; and
WHEREAS, the City seeks to consolidate leadership and offices related to climate change and environmental justice in a Chief Climate Officer and an Office of Climate and Environmental Justice; and
WHEREAS this consolidation will allow the City to take a coordinated, focused, and efficient approach to environmental sustainability, adaptation, and remediation;
NOW, THEREFORE, by the power vested in me as Mayor of the City of New York, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. The Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability shall be established within the Office of the Mayor and hereafter be designated as the Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, except in court documents, contracts and any other situation where the name “Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability” is legally required. Such office shall perform the functions delineated in section 20 of the Charter as well as those functions that have been performed by the former Office of Climate and Sustainability and the Office of Climate Resiliency.
§ 2. There shall be a Chief Climate Officer, who shall be appointed by the Mayor and who shall report to the Deputy Mayor of Operations.
§ 3. The director of the Office of Climate and Environmental Justice shall report to the Chief Climate Officer.
§ 4. The Office of Environmental Remediation established pursuant to sections 15(e) and 1404 of the Charter, and the Office of Environmental Coordination established pursuant to sections 15(b)(5) and 192 of the Charter, with the powers and duties set forth in Section 5-04 of Title 62 of the Rules of the City of New York, shall be continued. The directors of such offices shall report to the director of the Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, consistent with section 15 of the Charter. Any additional appropriate actions, including but not limited to the transfer of employees, that the Chief Climate Officer determines should be taken in furtherance of the purposes of this Section, shall be taken as soon as practicable after this Order takes effect.
§ 5. The Office of Climate and Environmental Justice shall have authority and oversight with respect to the City’s environment and overall sustainability, including climate change, environmental justice, environmental remediation, and environmental coordination, and shall exercise all the powers conferred upon the office by section 20 of Chapter 1 of the Charter and all other applicable laws. In carrying out its duties, the Office of Climate and Environmental Justice shall coordinate with the Offices of Environmental Remediation and Environmental Coordination, pursuant to Section 4 of this Order, and such offices may exercise any of the powers and duties of the Office of Climate and Environmental Justice at the direction, specific or general, of the director of such office.
§ 6. All agencies are authorized and directed to take appropriate steps, including the provision of administrative services or the sharing of resources pursuant to section 1121 of the Charter or other applicable law, to ensure implementation of this Order as soon as practicable.
§ 7. All agencies are directed to cooperate and coordinate with the Office of Climate and Environmental Justice as such office and the Chief Climate Officer promulgate rules, policies and guidance related to the environment and overall sustainability, including climate change and environmental justice matters, and as agencies promulgate and implement relevant rules, policies or guidance related to such subjects. Such cooperation shall include appropriate sharing of agency policies, protocols and other requested information in a timely manner.
§ 8. Executive Order No. 149, dated June 27, 2011, is hereby revoked.
§ 9. This Order shall take effect immediately.
Eric Adams
Mayor