New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A08456

Introduced
5/16/25  

Caption

Relates to reducing the embodied carbon emissions of buildings and building materials; provides that construction permitted under the state building code shall achieve a 15 percent reduction in embodied carbon emissions by 2030; provides three options for compliance.

Impact

The enactment of A08456 will directly impact state building regulations by integrating specific carbon emission reduction goals into the statutory framework. This will likely require state agencies and construction professionals to adopt new practices and methodologies in assessing and mitigating carbon emissions from their projects. The bill applies to any new constructions, major renovations, and additions larger than 25,000 square feet, thus emphasizing the need for early compliance and adaptation within the building industry. Over time, it aims to inform and shape state-wide construction standards towards more environmentally responsible practices, influencing a broader transformation in how resources are utilized in building projects.

Summary

A08456 addresses the urgent necessity of reducing the embodied carbon emissions associated with building construction and the materials used within. The bill stipulates that all constructions permitted under the state building code must achieve a significant reduction – specifically, a 15% decrease in embodied carbon emissions by the year 2030. To facilitate this, the bill introduces alternative compliance methods which include maintaining a portion of an existing structure, demonstrating reductions in life-cycle emissions of products, or utilizing a thorough whole-building life-cycle assessment approach. This structured compliance aims to foster sustainability in construction practices across the state.

Contention

While the bill has been praised for its commitment to environmental sustainability, critics have raised concerns regarding the feasibility and potential impact on construction costs and timelines. Detractors argue that the initial investments needed to meet these new requirements could burden developers and lead to increased housing costs, particularly in an already challenging market. Furthermore, there are discussions around how stringent compliance measures may affect smaller developers without the same resources as larger entities, potentially leading to disparities in who can afford to adhere to these new regulations.

Companion Bills

NY S07998

Same As Relates to reducing the embodied carbon emissions of buildings and building materials; provides that construction permitted under the state building code shall achieve a 15 percent reduction in embodied carbon emissions by 2030; provides three options for compliance.

Previously Filed As

NY A04336

Provides that residential buildings shall be deemed eligible buildings for the green building tax credit.

NY S06853

Provides that residential buildings shall be deemed eligible buildings for the green building tax credit.

NY A07145

Relates to the applicability of local building codes to state and state agency owned buildings; requires full compliance upon alteration or if such building ceases to be owned by the state.

NY S02069

Requires state office buildings to be in compliance with the greenhouse gas emissions limits established by the New York state climate leadership and community protection act three years before such limits apply statewide.

NY S00562

Enacts the "all-electric building act"; provides that the state energy conservation construction code shall prohibit infrastructure, building systems, or equipment used for the combustion of fossil fuels in new construction statewide no later than December 31, 2023 if the building is less than seven stories and July 1, 2027 if the building is seven stories or more.

NY A00920

Enacts the "all-electric building act"; provides that the state energy conservation construction code shall prohibit infrastructure, building systems, or equipment used for the combustion of fossil fuels in new construction statewide no later than December 31, 2023 if the building is less than seven stories and July 1, 2027 if the building is seven stories or more.

NY A03223

Enacts the "power plant zero carbon emissions act of 2023"; requires that existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating facilities must demonstrate that they will achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

NY S00732

Establishes a carbon dioxide emissions price for electric generation from carbon-based fuel; creates a carbon dioxide emissions fund.

NY A04306

Establishes a carbon dioxide emissions price for electric generation from carbon-based fuel; creates a carbon dioxide emissions fund.

NY S06573

Requires the state fire prevention and building code council to study and adopt uniform fire prevention and building code standards to promote fire safety and accessibility in single-exit, single stairway multi-unit residential buildings above 3 stories and up to at least 6 stories, based on a study of building codes existing in the city of New York and in other cities and jurisdictions that have adopted such buildings into their building codes.

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