New York City’s climate progress has hit a wall

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on HEATMAP or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: New York City’s climate transition is facing major challenges after a July heat wave exposed continued dependence on fossil fuel power plants to meet electricity demand
• During the extreme temperatures, the city relied heavily on gas and oil-fired “peaker” plants as electricity consumption surged

🔭 The context: New York has committed to cutting emissions 80% from 2005 levels by 2050, supported by projects including clean power imports, offshore wind, solar and energy storage
• However, delays in transmission projects, offshore wind development and battery deployment have slowed progress, with fossil fuels still providing the majority of the city’s electricity

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The episode highlights the challenge of decarbonising dense urban areas while maintaining grid reliability during climate-driven extreme weather
• Without faster deployment of renewable energy, storage and transmission infrastructure, cities may remain dependent on fossil fuel backup systems as heat waves become more frequent and intense.

⏭️ What’s next: New York is expected to focus on expanding energy efficiency, behind-the-meter solar, battery storage and grid upgrades
• Policymakers are also debating reforms to accelerate clean energy projects while ensuring reliability during periods of peak demand

💬 One quote: “Batteries are a great way to connect the climate agenda and the affordability agenda.” – Daniel Zarelli, former New York City Chief Climate Policy Advisor

📈 One stat: Around 90% of New York City’s electricity came from fossil fuels in 2025, according to the city’s comptroller

Track the real-world impact behind the sustainability headlines. Illuminem’s Data Hub™ offers transparent performance data and climate targets of companies driving the transition.

Click for more news covering the latest on clean energy and public governance and subscribe to our newsletter for the stories shaping the future of sustainability.