Many countries in the world have carbon reduction targets and some cities are considered to be green, but New York has a truly integrated plan.
Energy efficient buildings have become a top priority due to PlaNYC 2030, which is an initiative envisaged by Mayor Bloomberg.
Having been launched in 2007 with targets to be met by 2030 there was a chance that the plan could lose momentum, but specific milestones to be reached by 2013 have helped prevent that from happening.
It sees 25 agencies within the city working together in order to make buildings more sustainable and this includes both old and new ones.
With 55 per cent of New York's edifices constructed prior to 1940 retrofitting them to LEED standards has become a big target.
Lisa Kersavage, of the Municipal Art Society, told the New York Times: "Since so many rooftops in the city are flat, we’ve even been getting approval for solar panels for landmark buildings. If you can’t see it, it can’t disturb the aesthetic."