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Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) consists of small inhalable particles measuring less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. PM 2.5 comes from a variety of sources, including combustion from vehicles and industrial pollution. These emissions contribute to air, water, and soil pollution; decrease visibility in cities by creating haze and smog; discolor buildings; and contribute to our warming climate. PM 2.5 is also hazardous to human health, as it can carry toxic pollutants deep into lower airways.
The city monitors and regulates air pollution through a variety of ways. The city’s Air Code is the policy framework that regulates any activities that create smoke, soot, dust, fumes, etc. In addition, through the Retrofit Accelerator and Community Retrofit NYC, the city helps building owners upgrade the energy efficiency of buildings, including helping to facilitate the transition from polluting heating oil to cleaner alternatives. According to the OneNYC 2019 Progress Report, these programs have helped remove 17,225 pounds of PM 2.5 out of the air annually.
In 2017, the City funded the construction of 10 real-time PM 2.5 monitoring units at critical locations throughout the city. These units help show how pollution levels vary throughout the day across the city’s neighborhoods.
Image credit: NYSDEC
Image credit: NYC Department of Health
Quality of Life
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According to a three-year rolling average of EPA’s air quality statistics portal, NYC is in 6th place as of 2018.
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In 2018, the city had achieved a 1.4 mg/m3, or 20% reduction, across city neighborhoods.
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The city has cleaned up 756 brownfields as of 2019.
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The city has cleaned up 415 brownfields in low- and moderate-income communities.
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In 2019, the city partially completed this by developing guidelines for city buildings only.
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Incomplete In 2019, 81.5% of New Yorkers were within walking distance to a park.
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Transportation
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Not Measurable
The city originally used the In-Season Commuter Cycling Index for this indicator, but has since stopped using it. However, according to the NYC Department of Transportation, cycling increased 55% between 2012 and 2017.
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As of July 2019, the city had 1,243 bike lane miles.
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As of March 2020, 660 EV charging stations were in operation in the city.
Not Measurable 
Waste
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Incomplete
In 2005, the city sent 3.6 million tons of waste to landfills. In 2019, 3.25 million tons were landfilled, which is equivalent to a 9.8% reduction.
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In April 2020, the city temporarily suspended organics collection due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the suspension, while some neighborhoods had the option to enroll in curbside collection, the programs did not serve all New Yorkers.
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A study on commercial waste zones was completed in 2016.
Energy & Buildings
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In 2019, the city generated 10.51 MW of renewable power on city buildings.