Introduction
Energy use in buildings accounts for approximately 79% of all of New York City’s energy consumption and carbon emissions. In an effort to improve its sustainability and efficiency, the City adopted an ambitious goal of reducing carbon emissions by 80% by the year 2050. The New York City Mayor’s Office of Sustainability (MOS) is responsible for implementing this plan, which calls for major reductions in building energy use (The City of New York, 2016). One concern revolves around environmental justice and the impact of building energy use and emissions on local communities. The question is whether low-income communities disproportionately bear the burden of inefficient buildings and possible negative effects on health.
Literature Review (brief background of relevant studies)