Published on July 15, 2026
To close out our 2026 conference, we held a fireside chat with NYC Department of Buildings’ Laura Popa and Urban Green CEO Chris Halfnight. Tune in to hear them review the city’s progress on Local Law 97, the latest building data and pathways to achieving the law’s 2030 goals. You can also watch this discussion on YouTube and our website.
Thank you to our lead sponsor, Carrier!
Speakers
Chris Halfnight
Chief Executive Officer
Chris is the CEO of Urban Green Council, where he leads the organization’s work to advance energy efficiency and building decarbonization in New York City, New York State and beyond. Before becoming CEO, he spent a decade at Urban Green, most recently as Senior Director of Research and Policy, directing data analysis, clean tech research, policy development, and advocacy at the city and state levels. Chris has served on many advisory bodies, including as a mayoral appointee to NYC’s 26-member Sustainability Advisory Board and Mayor Mamdani’s transition committee on climate. Earlier in his career, he practiced law at Shearman & Sterling LLP and worked on clean energy policy at the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. He holds a B.A. and J.D. from McGill University and a Master of Environmental Management, with a specialization in energy systems, from the Yale School of the Environment.
Laura Popa
Deputy Commissioner for Sustainability, NYC Department of Buildings
As the Deputy Commissioner for Sustainability at NYC DOB, Laura leads the Bureau of Sustainability’s efforts to help New York City achieve emissions reductions, energy efficiency, and the just transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy systems. Laura works to implement sustainability laws, including Local Law 97. Prior, Laura oversaw policy development at the New York City Council, where she directed the Council’s efforts to enact legislation for citywide emissions limits, the institutionalization of long-term sustainability and resiliency planning, and environmental justice.
Key takeaways
- NYC has achieved a 96-97% compliance rate in the first year of law implementation.
- Supportive enforcement strategies, including mediated resolutions, have been effective.
- Building owners are increasingly opting for prescribed energy conservation measures over emissions limits.
- The city is conducting studies to refine metrics and address challenges for 2030.
- Offset funds have raised $1.5 million to support affordable housing decarbonization.
Resources
Check out the photos and videos from our 2026 conference here.
Keynote with NYC Comptroller Mark Levine
Live from our 2026 conference, NYC Comptroller Mark Levine joins to discuss the city's economy and building decarbonization.
How to sell decarbonization in 2026
Hear panelists from our 2026 conference unpack how to sell decarbonization in a shifting political landscape.