Buildings account for almost one-half of the world's material and energy consumption, one-sixth of freshwater use, and a quarter of all wood harvested.

In June 2019, New York State adopted the country’s most ambitious climate targets with the passage of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. New measures are putting the state on a path to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2050 and net zero emissions in all sectors of the economy, including 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2040.