Climate Change and Resiliency
As the New York region and our nation respond to the climate crisis and an increasingly complex array of climate-related laws, SPR is uniquely positioned to help building owners, managers and tenants, as well as other real estate stakeholders, understand and succeed in this new and changing regulatory landscape. We regularly work with technical, financial and political consultants to provide tailored strategic advice on carbon emissions reductions, energy efficiency, and waterfront and resiliency planning. In addition, SPR is advising governmental agencies as to the environmental impact review and permitting of several large-scale resiliency projects throughout Lower Manhattan.
Our attorneys are thought leaders in this space, and our expertise is frequently sought for panels, publications and industry and government working groups about the development and implementation of new climate laws and resiliency measures, including the NYC Climate Mobilization Act of 2019, the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), and evolving best practices related to climate change risk assessment and waterfront development.
SPR’s services include:
- Strategizing and integrating building energy efficiency and emissions reduction measures, including compliance with NYC’s Climate Mobilization Act
- Creating and executing climate change due diligence measures for corporate and real estate transactions
- Developing and implementing corporate sustainability goals
- Understanding and participating in emissions trading schemes
- Drafting and negotiating green leases
- Advising on environmental impact review, waterfront permitting and planning for flood zones and sea level rise, including appropriate categorization under the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps and compliance with New York City Building Code Appendix G (Flood Resilient Construction)
Local Law 154 Pulls the Plug on Fossil Fuels in New Buildings: Is New York City Ready for Its All-Electric Future?
For: 33 Environmental Law in New York 169
Climate Mobilization Act Series: The IRA Meets New York
For: Building Energy Exchange (panelist)
“NYC’s Climate Mobilization Act – Practical Implications and Updates Nearly One Month Away From The First Deadline”
For: St. John’s University School of Law (panelist)
“Applying for LL97 Adjustments”
For: Building Energy Exchange (panelist)
“Preparing for Carbon Emission Limits under NYC Local Law 97”
For: HalfMoon Education, Inc. (panelist)
“Maximizing Property Values Through Onsite Solar”
For: Fall 2020 Webinar Series with SPR and Crauderueff Solar (panelist)
“Landlord & Tenant Cooperation for Energy Efficiency”
For: IFMA NYC and CoreNet Global NYC, panelist on Local Law 97
“Optimizing Your New Roof’s Value: Local Law 92/94 Opportunities”
For: Webinar Hosted by SPR and Crauderueff Solar (panelist)
“Local Law 97 – Legal, Technical and Financial Risks Uncovered”
For: Seminar Hosted by SPR and RENEW Energy Partners (panelist)
“Climate Change Legislation, Environmental Law 2020”
For: American Law Institute
“Local Law and Decarbonization, Conference on Climate Disruption and Decarbonization”
For: American Bar Association
“Navigating Urban Waterway Development”
For: Center for Creative Land Recycling
“WISE Tackles the Climate Mobilization Act”
For: Building Energy Exchange panel (panelist)
“Landlord-Tenant Collaboration: Key Strategies for Whole Building Energy and Emissions Performance”
For: Climate Week NYC (with the Institute for Market Transformation and the Building Energy Exchange)
“SPR Attorneys Explain the NYC Buildings Emissions Law”
For: SPR Webinar (with Jeff Gracer)
“Highlights of NYC’s Building Emissions Law”
For: Environmental Law Network webinar
“The Climate Mobilization Act – How It Affects You (And How PACE Can Help)”
For: Duval & Stachenfeld LLP panel (panelist)
“How NYC Building Owners Will Cash In on the New Environmental Standards”
For: Queens Chamber of Commerce panelist on NYC Local Law 97
“Looking Forward and Looking Back: The Path to Deep Emissions Reductions in New York City’s Buildings”
For: New York City Bar Association panel (moderator)
“Waterfront Redevelopment and Resilience: Natural Resources, Regulatory Changes, and Future Physical Climate Risks” “
For: New York State Bar Association Environment and Energy Law Section
“Combined Heat and Power’s Potential to Meet New York City’s Sustainability Goals,” Bianca Howard & Alexis Saba et al.,
For: Energy Policy, vol. 65(C), 444–454
“Flood Zones: Where Does Your Property Stand in Our Post-Sandy State?”
For: Real Estate Board of New York’s (REBNY), Panelist
“Recovery and Rebuilding After Superstorm Sandy: Legal Perspectives in What We Know and Where We Go”
For: Panelist and Co-planning Chair, NY/NJ Bar Association
