CARBON ZERO CITY

THE CLIMATE CRISIS FOR CITIES IS CODE RED

Global temperature records continue to be shattered. The summer of 2024 was the hottest ever recorded. This spring (2024), atmospheric CO₂ levels surpassed 427 ppm, a new record, and the rate of increase is accelerating.

Hotter temperatures, rising sea levels, economic turmoil, mass migrations, food scarcities, disrupted ecosystems, ocean acidification, strained infrastructure, increased health risks, heightened energy demands, and escalating insurance costs. Projected annual costs will range between $1.7 and $3.1 trillion by 2050 (World Economic Forum).

Expectations for COP29 are low. Globally, nations and industries are responding at just 10% of what's required to mitigate serious climate crisis impacts.

There are no silver bullets. What's needed is the ability to deploy multiple solutions to various intractable problems on a massive scale, repeatedly.

ATMOSPHERIC CO₂

Atmospheric CO₂ levels are at record highs (Mauna Loa, NASA), driving rising temperatures, poor air quality, and increased health risks for residents.

RISING AIR TEMPERATURES

Above the 1.5°C threshold (Columbia University), leading to heatwaves, straining city infrastructure, increasing energy demands for cooling, and exacerbating the urban heat island effect.

SEA LEVEL RISE (SINCE 1994)

Rising seas damage infrastructure, disrupt transportation, and cause economic losses. Saltwater intrusion compromises drinking water, and coastal erosion increases vulnerability to storms (Sources: NASA, NOAA).

MISSION: TRANSFORM FIDI INTO CARBON ZERO CITY

the OBJECTIVES OF making a fidi into CARBON ZERO CITY are to accelerate addressing the urban impacts of the climate crisis and be a major economic engine for NYc

Build a powerful marketing engine to fast-track climate solutions in cities. Empower climate companies to scale, cross the innovation chasm, and grow exponentially. Transform the climate crisis into an investment magnet, driving change and attracting capital. Make FiDi the global hub for carbon-zero marketing, boosting NYC’s economy, creating jobs, and generating tax revenue.

An example of possible improvements to FiDi will be many roof gardens. An upcoming roundtable will discuss the reality of turning FiDi into a green zone.

CARBON ZERO CITY'S Strategy startS with A FOCUS ON money

The cost of the climate crisis, resilience investments, and the scale of the carbon zero economy are at the heart of the Carbon Zero City strategy.

McKinsey says the carbon zero economy could reach $12.3 trillion annually by 2030.

$12.3 Trillion: 11 industries could generate nearly 8 times NYC’s economy by 2030.

Industry Synergies: The carbon zero economy spans diverse sectors, amplifying both economic and climate benefits.

Scaling Innovation: A Carbon Zero Cluster helps bring innovations to mainstream markets, crucial for growth.

GDP Comparison

The carbon zero economy offers vast opportunities for new businesses.

Carbon Zero Industries

11 sectors could generate $12 trillion annually by 2030.

GDP and Climate Crisis Costs

Comparing GDPs to climate crisis costs highlights the urgency and investment potential of carbon zero solutions.

Carbon Zero City will be built atop of a carbon zero economic cluster—an interconnected network of businesses, suppliers, and institutions in the carbon zero space.

Geographic Concentration: The carbon zero economy could generate $12 trillion annually by 2030, nearly 10 times NYC’s economy.

Industry Breadth: A Carbon Zero Cluster spans multiple sectors, maximizing synergies and benefits.

Scaling Innovation: Clusters help innovative companies enter mainstream markets, key for scaling carbon zero products.

GDP Comparison

The carbon zero economy presents massive opportunities for new businesses.

Carbon Zero Industries

11 sectors could generate $12 trillion in annual revenues by 2030.

Crossing the Chasm

Crossing the chasm is essential for mass adoption. Companies that succeed scale; those that fail remain niche or fade.

Existing Industrial/Economic Clusters

At the core of the carbon zero economc cluster will be proven business models of trade marts and trade shows.

Business Models
Trade Mart: Converts vacant office space into showrooms, connecting buyers and sellers. A virtual metaverse presence attracts companies to NYC and promotes global innovation.
Trade Show: Temporary events for B2B and B2G transactions, complementing trade marts. Part of Carbon Zero’s event portfolio, focusing on relevant industries.

Position Carbon Zero City as the premier global marketplace, connecting sellers and buyers, and as a key hub for incubators worldwide, attracting business to NYC and driving climate action synergies.

Create a revenue strategy for Carbon Zero City to fund both CapEx and OpEx.

Types of Revenues
Program Sponsors: Secure vital financing and leave a lasting legacy.
Exhibit Sponsorships: Fund product showcases, offering demos and themed areas.
Naming Rights: Generate revenue through brand association and contributions.
Out of Home/DOOH Ads: Monetize integrated ads across FiDi screens and kiosks.
The App: Provides high sponsor visibility across events and assets.
Web & Metaverse: Engage sponsors before, during, and after events, even virtually.
Contributions & GoFundMe: Rally support from residents and climate advocates for Invent City.

Recent art exhibit at 101 Greenwich Street. roundtable will discuss the reality of turning FiDi into a green zone.

tacticS START WITH USING WHAT EXISTS INCLUDING VACANT OFFICE SPACE

The primary tactic is to use what exists, starting with vacant office space. Beyond that, Carbon Zero City will use assets that could be improved or upgraded.

The key focus of theuse what exists strategy is repurposing vacant office space for exhibits and showrooms. Carbon Zero plans to lease up to 2 million square feet and generate demand for an additional 3 million square feet (via the Chelsea Harbour multiplier).

SUBSTANTIAL SUPPLY

On one hand, chronically high office vacancies is a problem for NYC. On the other, it means ample space for unusual events. (Cushman Wakefield Q1 2024)

	Inventory	Vacant
Finance West	6,211,658 sf	2,103,351 sf
Insurance	12,587,451 sf	4,678,003 sf
World Trade	24,144,411 sf	4,814,215 sf
Finance East	29,924,952 sf	7,966,073 sf
Totals	72,868,472 sf	19,561,642 sf

	Space Needed
Carbon Zero Direct	2,000,000 sf
Carbon Zero Indirect	3,000,000 sf
Totals	5,000,000 sf

Significant Available Office Space

High office vacancy is a critical economic problem for NYC as it will ultimately lead to lower valuations and thus tax receipts. Commercial real estate generates significant NYC tax revenues. In fiscal 2021, 54.1% of NYC taxes were from real estate.1 But it also means available space for showrooms and exhibits dedicated toward carbon zero.

Beyond using existing assets, Carbon Zero City will upgrade or improve those needing attention, avoiding unnecessary waste. This may include selective street pedestrianization.

Examples of non-office assets
Vacant retail
Vacant land
Underutilized Allys
Educational Facilities
Public Spaces
Under the FDR
POPS
Large Facilities
Taxpayer Lots
Street Sheds

Continue launching an Event Portfolio designed to bring together buyers and sellers of solutions, and accelerate the deployment of solutions in a different way.

Three types of events
Catalysts and roundtables are small, frequent gatherings of 25-50 people, held both virtually and in person. They target specific components of a carbon zero city, such as the industries identified by McKinsey.
Competitions and Summits, held quarterly, tackle broader issues like transforming entire districts, such as FiDi, into carbon zero zones, with attendance expected to range from 100 to over 1,000 participants.
Trade Shows. Finally, World's Fairs and Major Events are multi-day gatherings designed to mainstream the climate crisis, engaging both businesses and the general public. These events are expected to draw 5 million in-person attendees, with an additional 45 million participating via the metaverse.

go to events

One benefit is neighborhood improvement, as seen in the pedestrianization of William Street, with the Federal Reserve on the left. The design includes water gardens and ensures emergency vehicle access.

incomplete SUMMARY OF BENEFITS CARBON ZERO CITY OFFERS

SPONSORship opportunities be notified of events and progress General Benefits Financial Benefits Tourism Benefits Regional Economic Development

Carbon Zero City gives NYC the chance to turn FiDi into a global hub for innovation and sustainability. It will attract businesses, boost jobs, and revitalize vacant office space. The initiative raises tax revenues and positions FiDi as a leader in climate solutions, drawing tourists interested in urban development. By promoting sustainable practices, it cuts infrastructure costs and supports retail, dining, and logistics, creating a future-ready urban ecosystem.

Establishing a carbon zero cluster will address chronic office vacancy. The Carbon Zero City initiative will generate both direct and indirect demand for vacant space.

TOPIC	AMOUNT
Annual Increased Rent to Property Owners	$292,830,000
NPV over 10 years @ 7% (for Property Owners)	$2,350,322,237
Employee Spending from Increased Real Estate Demand	$1,666,666,666
Total Employee Spending from Increased Real Estate Demand	$1,959,496,666
Indirect Employee Spending from Increased Real Estate Demand	$3,626,163,332
Property Taxes from Increased Valuations	$63,000,000
NPV over 10 years @ 7% (Property Tax Improvements)	$503,565,729
Direct Job Creation from Increased Real Estate Demand	33,333 jobs
Indirect and Direct Job Creation from Increased Real Estate Demand	66,666 jobs

Carbon Zero City will also drive tourism and notably business visitation. Events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and NYC’s 400th anniversary will further drive tourism.

may 2024 update by nys comptroller

TOPIC	AMOUNT
Job Creation from Annual Tourism	3,800 jobs
Job Creation from a World's Fair (tourism)	38,000 jobs
Operational Job Creation from a World's Fair	N/A
Tourist Economic Impact (Annual)	$7,400,000
Tourist Economic Impact (World's Fair)	$74,000,000
NYC Sales Tax from Admissions (Annual)	$50,000,000
NYC Sales Tax from Admissions (World's Fair)	$2,100,000,000

By being the marketing front end, Carbon Zero City will generate downstream econonic benefits. In addition to New York City, New York State as well as the Tri-State region should support this proposal.

A Bold Response to an Urgent Situation for Cities, for NYC

Let's be bold.

Global temperature records are being shattered repeatedly. This spring (2024), atmospheric CO2 levels hit a new high of 428 parts per million (ppm), continuing their rapid ascent. We face hotter temperatures, rising sea levels, economic instability, mass migrations, food shortages, disrupted ecosystems, ocean acidification, strained infrastructure, increased health risks, higher energy demands, and soaring insurance costs.

While there are no silver bullets, this proposal introduces an urgent framework for mitigation and adaptation on a large scale. This initiative is not only a necessity for environmental resilience but also a vital opportunity for NYC to boost its economy. Implementing this plan will drive economic expansion, generate jobs, and increase tax revenues—strengthening NYC's role as a global leader in climate and economic solutions.

Transforming New York City's Financial District (FiDi) into a carbon zero cluster is not just an ambitious vision—it’s a strategic imperative for both the city's economy and the global fight against climate change.

THE CLIMATE CRISIS FOR CITIES IS CODE RED

Global temperature records continue to be shattered. The summer of 2024 was the hottest ever recorded. This spring (2024), atmospheric CO₂ levels surpassed 427 ppm, a new record, and the rate of increase is accelerating.

Expectations for COP29 are low. Globally, nations and industries are responding at just 10% of what's required to mitigate serious climate crisis impacts.

There are no silver bullets. What's needed is the ability to deploy multiple solutions to various intractable problems on a massive scale, repeatedly.

MISSION: TRANSFORM FIDI INTO CARBON ZERO CITY

the OBJECTIVES OF making a fidi into CARBON ZERO CITY are to accelerate addressing the urban impacts of the climate crisis and be a major economic engine for NYc

CARBON ZERO CITY'S Strategy startS with A FOCUS ON money

The cost of the climate crisis, resilience investments, and the scale of the carbon zero economy are at the heart of the Carbon Zero City strategy.

McKinsey says the carbon zero economy could reach $12.3 trillion annually by 2030.

Carbon Zero City will be built atop of a carbon zero economic cluster—an interconnected network of businesses, suppliers, and institutions in the carbon zero space.

At the core of the carbon zero economc cluster will be proven business models of trade marts and trade shows.

Position Carbon Zero City as the premier global marketplace, connecting sellers and buyers, and as a key hub for incubators worldwide, attracting business to NYC and driving climate action synergies.

Create a revenue strategy for Carbon Zero City to fund both CapEx and OpEx.

tacticS START WITH USING WHAT EXISTS INCLUDING VACANT OFFICE SPACE

The primary tactic is to use what exists, starting with vacant office space. Beyond that, Carbon Zero City will use assets that could be improved or upgraded.

The key focus of theuse what exists strategy is repurposing vacant office space for exhibits and showrooms. Carbon Zero plans to lease up to 2 million square feet and generate demand for an additional 3 million square feet (via the Chelsea Harbour multiplier).

Beyond using existing assets, Carbon Zero City will upgrade or improve those needing attention, avoiding unnecessary waste. This may include selective street pedestrianization.

Continue launching an Event Portfolio designed to bring together buyers and sellers of solutions, and accelerate the deployment of solutions in a different way.

incomplete SUMMARY OF BENEFITS CARBON ZERO CITY OFFERS

Establishing a carbon zero cluster will address chronic office vacancy. The Carbon Zero City initiative will generate both direct and indirect demand for vacant space.

Carbon Zero City will also drive tourism and notably business visitation. Events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and NYC’s 400th anniversary will further drive tourism.

By being the marketing front end, Carbon Zero City will generate downstream econonic benefits. In addition to New York City, New York State as well as the Tri-State region should support this proposal.

A Bold Response to an Urgent Situation for Cities, for NYC

Let's be bold.

Transforming New York City's Financial District (FiDi) into a carbon zero cluster is not just an ambitious vision—it’s a strategic imperative for both the city's economy and the global fight against climate change.

It's time for decisive action. For NYC. For the planet.

Next: Why FiDi is the ideal location

MORE INFO

THE CLIMATE CRISIS FOR CITIES IS CODE RED

Global temperature records continue to be shattered. The summer of 2024 was the hottest ever recorded. This spring (2024), atmospheric CO2 levels surpassed 427 ppm, a new record, and the rate of increase is accelerating.

Expectations for COP29 are low. Globally, nations and industries are responding at just 10% of what's required to mitigate serious climate crisis impacts.

There are no silver bullets. What's needed is the ability to deploy multiple solutions to various intractable problems on a massive scale, repeatedly.

MISSION: TRANSFORM FIDI INTO CARBON ZERO CITY

the OBJECTIVES OF making a fidi into CARBON ZERO CITY are to accelerate addressing the urban impacts of the climate crisis and be a major economic engine for NYc

CARBON ZERO CITY'S Strategy startS with A FOCUS ON money

The cost of the climate crisis, resilience investments, and the scale of the carbon zero economy are at the heart of the Carbon Zero City strategy.

McKinsey says the carbon zero economy could reach $12.3 trillion annually by 2030.

Carbon Zero City will be built atop of a carbon zero economic cluster—an interconnected network of businesses, suppliers, and institutions in the carbon zero space.

At the core of the carbon zero economc cluster will be proven business models of trade marts and trade shows.

Position Carbon Zero City as the premier global marketplace, connecting sellers and buyers, and as a key hub for incubators worldwide, attracting business to NYC and driving climate action synergies.

Create a revenue strategy for Carbon Zero City to fund both CapEx and OpEx.

tacticS START WITH USING WHAT EXISTS INCLUDING VACANT OFFICE SPACE

The primary tactic is to use what exists, starting with vacant office space. Beyond that, Carbon Zero City will use assets that could be improved or upgraded.

The key focus of theuse what exists strategy is repurposing vacant office space for exhibits and showrooms. Carbon Zero plans to lease up to 2 million square feet and generate demand for an additional 3 million square feet (via the Chelsea Harbour multiplier).

Beyond using existing assets, Carbon Zero City will upgrade or improve those needing attention, avoiding unnecessary waste. This may include selective street pedestrianization.

Continue launching an Event Portfolio designed to bring together buyers and sellers of solutions, and accelerate the deployment of solutions in a different way.

incomplete SUMMARY OF BENEFITS CARBON ZERO CITY OFFERS

Establishing a carbon zero cluster will address chronic office vacancy. The Carbon Zero City initiative will generate both direct and indirect demand for vacant space.

Carbon Zero City will also drive tourism and notably business visitation. Events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and NYC’s 400th anniversary will further drive tourism.

By being the marketing front end, Carbon Zero City will generate downstream econonic benefits. In addition to New York City, New York State as well as the Tri-State region should support this proposal.

A Bold Response to an Urgent Situation for Cities, for NYC

Let's be bold.

Transforming New York City's Financial District (FiDi) into a carbon zero cluster is not just an ambitious vision—it’s a strategic imperative for both the city's economy and the global fight against climate change.

It's time for decisive action. For NYC. For the planet.

Next: Why FiDi is the ideal location

MORE INFO

Global temperature records continue to be shattered. The summer of 2024 was the hottest ever recorded. This spring (2024), atmospheric CO₂ levels surpassed 427 ppm, a new record, and the rate of increase is accelerating.