September 23, 2021

Guests Discuss NYC's Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality by 2050, Dramatic Cuts in Emissions from City Government Operations

NEW YORK – The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) today announced during Climate Week the release of the fifth episode of its Inside Citywide podcast. The episode focuses on the City of New York’s aggressive climate goals, including New York City being carbon neutral by 2050. Guests Ben Furnas, Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Sustainability, and Anthony Fiore, DCAS Deputy Commissioner for Energy Management, discuss how New York City will achieve its climate goals. Topics of conversation include sourcing renewable energy to power NYC, supporting electric vehicle infrastructure, retrofitting buildings across the five boroughs, dramatically reducing emissions from city government operations, and much more.

The Inside Citywide podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look at New York City government, what it does, and the public servants who make it happen. The podcast is co-hosted by Nick Benson, Director of Communications for DCAS, and Belinda French, Diversity & EEO Officer for DCAS.

The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and BuzzSprout.

Guest Bios

Ben Furnas
Director, Office of Climate and Sustainability
NYC Office of the Mayor

During his time in city government, he has been pivotal in bringing major climate and transportation initiatives to life. He played instrumental roles in Vision Zero, OneNYC, the 80x50 Action Plan, the city’s sweeping measures to improve building energy efficiency culminating with the Climate Mobilization Act, the electrification of the city fleet, and the expansion of the city’s bus lanes and bike network.

Furnas began his tenure in the Mayor’s Office in 2014, working for First Deputy Mayor Anthony Shorris as a Special Advisor for Sustainability and Infrastructure, and then serving as Deputy Director of the Office of Policy and Planning.

Prior to joining the Mayor’s Office, Furnas served as a senior policy associate for then Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, focusing on budget, land use, street safety, transportation, health care, immigration, and labor issues. He began his career in Washington, DC at the Center for American Progress.

Furnas earned his BA from Cornell University and JD from New York University. He grew up in Ithaca, NY and currently lives in Brooklyn with his wife and daughter. He enjoys riding his pedal-assist e-bike.

Anthony J. Fiore
Deputy Commissioner, NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Service
NYC Chief Energy Management Officer

As DCAS Deputy Commissioner for Energy Management and NYC’s Chief Energy Management Officer, Anthony Fiore leads the team responsible for demand management and purchasing energy for all City agencies, cultural institutions, hospitals, schools, and universities. He is responsible for managing a $700 million annual energy supply budget, and a $2.7 billion 10-year capital budget to develop and implement programs to achieve the City’s One City: Built to Last strategy of an 80 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Prior to his role at DCAS, Anthony served as the City’s Director of Energy Regulatory Affairs acting as the primary energy policy advocate for the City before numerous State and federal agencies, and providing analysis on a wide range of regulatory and legislative matters related to energy.

Anthony received a Bachelor’s in Science from Binghamton University and a Master’s in Public Health from the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University.

About the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services

The Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) provides effective shared services to support the operations of New York City government. Its commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides its work with city agencies on recruiting, hiring, and training employees; providing facilities management for 56 public buildings; acquiring, selling, and leasing city property; purchasing more than $1 billion in supplies and equipment each year; and implementing conservation and safety programs throughout the city's facilities and vehicle fleet. More information about DCAS can be found at nyc.gov/dcas or by following us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and listening to the Inside Citywide podcast.

About the Mayor's Office of Climate and Sustainability 

The NYC Mayor's Office of Climate and Sustainability is a team of architects, data scientists, engineers, policy advisors, and city planners working to create a city where our 8.8 million residents have access to clean air, clean water, green infrastructure, and resources to build sustainable and healthy communities.

Guided by the OneNYC plan, the 80x50 and 1.5 degree action plans, and Executive Order 26 codifying our commitment to the Paris Agreement, the team works to minimize NYC's contributions to climate change from the transportation, waste, energy, and building sectors.