New York Governor Kathy Hochul has been named to the 2025 TIME100 Climate list, highlighting her as a key player among the 100 most influential global leaders in driving business climate action. Hochul expressed pride in New York's recognition, noting, "I'm proud that New York’s work to build a cleaner, more resilient future is being recognized on a global stage by such an esteemed publication as Time Magazine." She emphasized a practical partnership approach to support innovation and protect communities, all the while aiming for a sustainable and affordable future for New York, according to an announcement from the Governor's Office.
Under her leadership, New York has pursued aggressive climate strategies including the New York State Adaptation and Resilience Plan, a comprehensive effort coordinating state agencies to bolster climate readiness. This includes shoreline restoration and infrastructure upgrades to withstand flooding, supported by funding streams like the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act. While serving as the Co-Chair of the U.S. Climate Alliance, the collective efforts led to a reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 24 percent below 2005 levels. "Our approach is rooted in partnership and practicality: supporting innovation, protecting communities, and ensuring New York’s future is both sustainable and affordable," Hochul stated, as she highlighted the state's contribution to these reductions, as per the Governor's Office.
Investments in green jobs and a greener economy have been paramount under Governor Hochul's tenure. Starting the year with the launch of New York City's Congestion Pricing Program, the state has seen a decrease in traffic and improvements in air quality, while securing vital funds for public transportation infrastructure. A $1 billion Sustainable Future Program aims to hasten the transition to a clean energy economy, offering homeowners and small businesses lower energy costs and spawning thousands of clean energy jobs. The program includes funding for energy-efficient upgrades in buildings, renewable energy projects, thermal energy networks, and an expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure.
Advancing New York's mixed energy resource investment, the Governor has broken ground for the nation's first utility-scale offshore wind farm, among other large-scale renewable projects intended to power over a million homes. Moreover, through signing the RAPID Act, environmental review and permitting processes for renewable energy facilities have been streamlined, aiming to cut timelines by half. Coastal communities have been bolstered with a $300 million Resilient Economic Development Initiative, and key transmission lines across the state have been modernized, aimed at moving clean power more efficiently while saving ratepayers money. As New York pushes forward with a diverse mix of energy projects, the Governor ensured that federal headwinds or supply chain issues after COVID did not derail the state’s commitment to a cleaner future.
Ensuring the protection of natural resources and the strengthening of communities has also been central, with the state’s clean water grants surpassing $3.8 billion for FY2025, a notable figure that reflects Hochul's commitment to transforming water systems. This is against a broader backdrop of environmental initiatives and investments, including the Climate Resilient Farming and State’s Ecosystem Based Management Program helping farmers align with climate goals, reforestation efforts under the 25 Million Trees initiative, and a stipulated focus on directing resources towards disadvantaged communities to maintain equity in the climate agenda.
