In thinking about what Gotham 360 would do to celebrate Earth Day this year we were reminded of how much has changed since last Earth Day, and how so much is still so different in regards to how we hold events and connect with one another. Throughout the last year, the pandemic has brought to light the overlap between environmental justice communities and the communities and populations hit hardest by the pandemic. We thought it only fitting to check in with some of our healthcare clients to hear their perspective on sustainability programming in hospitals, and how that has or hasn’t changed in the face of the pandemic.

Fitwel is a building certification program developed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the General Services Administration (GSA) that sets standards for design features and operational strategies that support the health of building occupants. Fitwel offers more than 50 evidence-based design and operational strategies generated by expert analysis of over 3,000 academic research studies and tested across a portfolio of buildings. 

LL 97 of 2019 offers two adjustment pathways – one for buildings with qualified excess emissions, and one for qualified not-for-profit healthcare facilities. Adjustment applications opened on April 12, 2021. Adjustments are not an exemption from the law, but a temporary increase in the qualified building emissions limit to allow extra time for compliance. Eligibility requirements for each type of adjustment must be met as described in the law. A full application filing guide is provided by NYC Sustainable Buildings.