Op-Ed: The Real Estate Industry Is Actually Fighting Emissions

Efstathios Valiotis of Alma Realty argues that the New York real estate industry has made strides to curb emissions and been a leader in fighting climate change in the city.

1 minute read

April 27, 2018, 11:00 AM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


New York

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While the MTA continues to face severe issues and New York's mayor rejects calls for congestion pricing, Efstathios Valiotis of Alma Realty argues that real estate provides a bright spot in the city's fight with climate change. "Builders of skyscrapers and developers who preserve and modernize existing buildings to meet the city's vast housing needs make decisions that collectively have an enormous impact," Valiotis writes.

Mayor Bill de Blasio highlighted curbing emissions from buildings in his long-term sustainability plan, recently releasing a controversial video touting his building efficiency regulations. 

Valiotis points out that the real estate community is already making strides to curb its emissions. More efficient HVAC systems, better insulation, LED lighting, and other updates have shrunk the climate footprint of buildings in New York. "Emissions from buildings citywide in 2015 were 18% lower than in 2005, an unmistakable sign that conservancy and efficiency measures are working," Valiotis writes.

Tuesday, April 17, 2018 in Crain's New York Business

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