Reducing economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions is a central focus of New York’s Climate Act. The State established 2030 and 2050 reductions targets with respect to the historical benchmark year 1990, and monitors progress with respect to 2005 emissions, recognized as the peak year of emissions for the State and the baseline year of the international Paris Agreement. The visuals below are derived from the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Annual Statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report (opens in new window). Interested stakeholders can also explore the companion Open NY (opens in new window) dataset and additional energy emissions study content (opens in new window) published by NYSERDA. As this visual below depicts, the State has achieved a 10% reduction in emissions when compared to 1990 levels which equates to 26% of its 2030 goal.

The Climate Act mandates that New York deliver 70% of its electric grid generation from renewable energy sources by 2030, with a longer-term goal to reach zero-emissions electricity by 2040. The Clean Energy Standard (CES) portfolio exists for this purpose, fighting climate change, reducing harmful air pollution, and ensuring a diverse and reliable low carbon energy supply. The visual below shows New York’s operating renewables (left) alongside projections (right) for installed renewable generation that include operating plus pipeline projects, both contracted and under development. Data to report progress here is assembled from multiple sources and a data source summary can be downloaded for reference. Though there are some exceptions, operating renewables generally reflect the latest NYGATS compliance year while pipeline values generally reflect NYSERDA contracts as published in the Large-scale Renewable Projects Open NY dataset (opens in new window). The State’s current operating and pipeline renewables meet 53% of the projected 2030 statewide load which equates to 76% of the 2030 goal. Although New York State has made significant strides in our work to achieve the Climate Act goals, recent analysis through our Biennial Report indicates that a delay in achieving the Climate Act's 70 x 30 goal may be unavoidable due to global economic issues, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical developments that have impacted the energy industry worldwide, including New York.

New York has a long history of supporting the development and deployment of solar energy, anchored by the NY-Sun program, a dynamic public-private partnership sustaining solar industry growth and making solar technology more affordable for all New Yorkers. New York currently ranks first in the nation for community solar projects which serve as a critical component of the State’s renewable energy generation goals. In April 2022, the Public Service Commission expanded the Climate Act goal of 6,000 MW by 2025 to 10,000 MW by 2030. Progress reported here is a collection of data from the Department of Public Service's Standard Interconnection Inventory, the New York State Independent System Operator's Gold Book, and quarterly NY-Sun reporting. Interested stakeholders can learn more at NYSERDA’s NY-Sun website.​

New York State is working to advance the responsible and cost-effective development of at least 9,000 MW of offshore wind energy by 2035, a key part of the State’s ambitious clean energy transition. New York is quickly emerging as the hub for the United States’ growing offshore wind energy industry, and the work underway here encompasses every phase of development, from workforce training, manufacturing and port infrastructure, to project procurement, construction, and commissioning. Progress toward this Climate Act goal reflects operating (installed) projects and those contracted and in development (pipeline). Interested stakeholders can learn more about this growing industry and project awards on NYSERDA’s Offshore Wind projects website (opens in new window). Data for reporting offshore wind progress is identical to the sources used for Renewable Generation (70% by 2030) above.​ ​

Energy storage plays a crucial role in meeting our State’s ambitious Climate Act goals by enabling the State to better use existing resources more efficiently and with fewer emissions. As renewable power sources like wind and solar provide a larger portion of New York’s electricity, storage will allow clean energy to be available when and where it is most needed. In June of 2024, the Public Service Commission increased the Climate Act goal of 3,000 MW by 2030 to 6,000 MW in that same timeframe and established an interim goal of 1,500 MW by 2025. Installed progress reported here is a collection of data from the Department of Public Service's Standard Interconnection Inventory and the New York State Independent System Operator's Gold Book. Pipeline progress is aggregated by NYSERDA’s Energy Storage team and reflects various Utility and NYSERDA projects awarded or contracted. Interested stakeholders can learn more about the variety of ways the State is advancing the energy storage industry at NYSERDA’s Energy Storage website (opens in new window).​