Overview
Held on April 7th and April 8th in New York City, 150+ public and private industry leaders convened for the AEG New York 25Q2 Building Decarbonization Summit. The purpose of this challenge was to: 1.) Learn key projects in motion from solution providers and owner/operators benefitting New York’s building decarbonization efforts; 2) Agree on a critical obstacle preventing achievement of New York's building decarbonization goals; 3.) Align on a 90-day sprint and 12-month objective to best address this obstacle; and 4.) Enable stakeholders to create a volunteer Task Force accountable for delivering the agreed solution.
Day 1 Summary
On Day 1, April 7th, hosted at Con Edison, Opening Remarks were provided by Shaun Hoyte, Head of Clean Energy Networks, Con Edison, Christine Osuji, Director, Environmental Justice, Con Edison, Katie Schmid, Deputy Executive Director, NYC MOCEJ, and Emily Hoffman, Director of Building Energy & Emissions Performance, NYC DOB. Shaun Hoyte (Con Edison) introduced the Clean Energy Networks model to advance decarbonization through partnerships, training, technology, and financing allies. Katie Schmid (NYC MOCEJ) highlighted New York City’s LL97 Mobilization Plan and emphasized the need for coordinated stakeholder engagement, funding access, and technical support to achieve decarbonization goals. Emily Hoffman (NYC DOB) spoke about the launch of the new LL97 reporting process and NYC DOB’ efforts to educate service providers and building owners on how to navigate the filing requirements.
Opening Remarks were followed by “Projects in Motion”, where speakers shared ongoing projects that are benefitting New York’s building decarbonization efforts. Aaron Miller (SHARC Energy) highlighted wastewater energy transfer technologies and shared successful affordable housing retrofit case studies achieving up to 93% emissions reductions in NYC. Silvia Khurrum (Con Edison) showcased Con Edison’s role in accelerating clean tech through pilot projects, innovation hubs, and partnerships with startups in energy efficiency, materials, and sustainable construction. Adam Schiabor (Urban Green Council) presented a scalable plan to electrify domestic hot water systems in small multifamily buildings using air-to-water heat pumps in disadvantaged NYC communities. Chris Herman and Josh Patton (Verdant Commercial Capital) discussed their third-party, off-bill financing program—subsidized by Con Edison—to support energy efficiency retrofits for multifamily, commercial, and industrial buildings with attractive low-interest rates.
Projects in Motion was followed by the Customer Roundtable with Q&A. Lauren Moss (Vornado), Jonathan Lemmond (JLL), Benjamin Rodney (Hines), and Aundre Oldacre (AoRa Development) shared where they are seeing traction in building decarbonization, including tenant engagement, retrofit planning, and early-stage electrification projects. They emphasized the need for clearer regulatory guidance, more accessible financing, and stronger collaboration, while raising key questions about how to better align incentives and scale impact across diverse building types in the next 12 months.
Inspired by the topics and priorities discussed during the Customer Roundtable, participants designed, presented, and selected a 12-month critical obstacle and 90-day sprint. 15 leaders came together to form a Task Force to address the below 12-month obstacle and 90-day sprint:
Task Force Volunteers (some not pictured): Sarah Mae Selnick, Source Forward (Co-lead), Linnea Paton, Con Edison,, Jacob Ochroch, Con Edison, Salvatore Prestano, CSA Group, Mark Borowski, CSA Group, Derick Kowalczyk, Willdan, Martha Sickles, Urbecon LCC, Julia Park, The Clean Fight, Savannah Wu, Reactivate, Mike Porcelli, Bronx Community College, Anya Eydman, Arya Power Solutions, Amira Rachouh, Soulful Synergy, Malo McKay, Bondi Energy, Joerg Klein, the red square HEATING, Omar Duran, LIFE3 LLC
Day 2 Summary
On Day 2, April 8th at WSP USA, Opening Remarks were provided by Gina Bocra, Vice President, Building Energy & Climate Solutions, WSP. Opening Remarks were followed by the Speaker Challenge, where each speaker provided an 8 minute and 5 slide presentation that concluded with this completed statement: "Regarding Decarbonization and Building Electrification, to achieve New York's climate, health & equity goals, a critical obstacle to collectively overcome in 12 months is _________."
Daniella Zandi (JLL) emphasized the importance of green leasing as a tool to align landlord and tenant incentives, enabling tenant-level energy reductions to meet decarbonization goals. Benoy Thanjan (Reneu Energy) advocated for streamlined solar permitting in NYC to accelerate rooftop solar adoption and ensure timely compliance with Local Law 97. Silvia Khurrum (Con Edison) emphasized the importance of energy modeling and data-driven approaches to better target decarbonization strategies and inform decision-making across building types. Steve Joern (Willdan) outlined the complex challenges of decarbonizing occupied buildings and stressed the need to simplify implementation processes in spaces that cannot accommodate disruption
Inspired by the statements provided by the above speakers, participants agreed to prioritize the following obstacle:
"Regarding Decarbonization and Building Electrification, to achieve New York's climate, health & equity goals, a critical obstacle to collectively overcome in 12 months is the lack of informed alignment to expedite needed implementation."
Participants designed, presented, and selected a 90-day sprint and 12-month objective to overcome the above critical obstacle. 15 leaders came together to form a Task Force to complete the above 90-day sprint and 12-month objective.
Task Force Volunteers (some not pictured): Mark Borowski, CSA Group - Co-Lead, Rebecca Biros, Daikin - Co-Lead, Silvia Khurrum, Con Edison, Cody Glavey-Weiss, NYSERDA, John Joshi, NYSERDA, Chris De Weaver, ELM, D. Evan van Hook, Viridi, Harleen Srivastava, Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice, Victoria Kocian, NYU Langone Health, Brian Nieves, NORESCO, Jaime Pereira, Ecosystem Energy Services, Joerg Klein, the red square HEATING, Josh Patton, Verdant Commercial Capital, Michael Walfish, Building Efficiency Services, Todd Bard, EvanLEE Organics
5 Key Themes
1. Streamline Implementation in Occupied Buildings
Upgrading systems in occupied buildings remains a significant technical and logistical challenge. Complexities include installation disruptions, health concerns, insurance needs, and limited off-hour access in multi-use spaces such as hospitals, schools, and public housing. Solutions require coordinated planning and flexibility in design and construction methods.
"Working in occupied buildings introduces challenges that are far more complex—we need to streamline decarbonization requirements in spaces that operate 24/7 without compromising tenant health or service continuity." - Steve Joern (Willdan)
2. Expand Access to Financing and Incentives
Uncertain markets, capital constraints, and split incentives—particularly between landlords and tenants—limit adoption. There’s a growing need for creative financing models, such as green leases, energy-as-a-service, and public-private capital collaboration, especially to support low- and moderate-income buildings.
"A critical obstacle we must overcome is funding and financing resources in a very uncertain and difficult market—especially to support a just transition and housing affordability." - Katie Schmid, NYC MOCEJ:
3. Clarify and Simplify Compliance Processes
Confusion around LL97 rules, reporting requirements, and inconsistent permitting standards is slowing down decarbonization. Enhancing agency coordination, standardizing reporting, and developing user-friendly digital tools and permitting express lanes (especially for rooftop solar) can improve clarity and speed.
"Expediting solar permitting through clearer code interpretation and interagency collaboration is essential to move renewable energy projects forward and meet LL97 targets." - Benoy Thanjan, Reneu Energy
4. Foster Stakeholder Collaboration and Engagement
Equitable decarbonization depends on sustained engagement with tenants, landlords, developers, engineers, and regulators. Programs like the NYC Accelerator and Clean Energy Networks are laying the groundwork, but continued cross-sector coordination and task force activation is critical to scaling impact.
"We’re building a Clean Energy Network that connects stakeholders across industries—technical experts, trade allies, and financial partners—to transform ideas into impact through collaboration and decisive action." - Shaun Hoyte, Con Edison
5. Incentivize Tenant-Level Energy Reductions
Leased properties present split responsibilities and weak incentives for decarbonization. Green leasing strategies and shared-value contracts are key to aligning goals between landlords and occupiers and encouraging reductions in operational carbon emissions.
"To truly decarbonize leased properties, we need to incentivize tenant-level energy reduction through green leasing—aligning landlord and tenant interests to achieve shared climate goals." - Daniella Zandi, JLL
Conclusion
The AEG New York 25Q2 Stakeholder Challenge on Equitable Building Decarbonization convened public and private sector leaders to address critical barriers to achieving New York City’s climate, health, and equity goals. The challenge focused on accelerating implementation in occupied buildings, improving access to financing and incentives, and clarifying regulatory and compliance pathways such as LL97 reporting and solar permitting. Key themes included fostering cross-sector collaboration, incentivizing tenant-level energy reductions through green leasing, and scaling innovative technologies like wastewater energy recovery and electrified hot water systems in disadvantaged communities. As volunteer leaders embark on a 90-day sprint and pursue a shared 12-month objective, their continued coordination and problem-solving will be vital in driving inclusive, scalable decarbonization across New York’s diverse building stock.
For the list of participating stakeholders who aligned on this critical obstacle and developed this 12 month goal and 90 day sprint, please visit here.
Other proposed 90-Day Sprints and 12-Month Obstacles and Objectives included:
