City of New Rochelle Unveils Updated GreeNR Plan, Advancing Strategies for Climate Resilience and Ad
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Following over a decade of implementing vital sustainability initiatives, the updated GreeNR plan places racial equity at the heart of New Rochelle's climate strategy, advancing strategies that link climate adaptation and resilience with access to housing, transportation, public health, and economic opportunity

In 2024, the City of New Rochelle received $1.3 million in grants from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Climate Smart Communities and Water Quality Improvements Program funding sources, achieving Bronze status as a New York State Climate Smart Community

In March, the City of New Rochelle unveiled its 2025 GreeNR Climate Action Plan, an ambitious series of priority initiatives to reduce the City's environmental footprint, enhance climate resilience, and ensure equitable access to sustainable  resources for all residents. As a living document, it expands on the original 2011 GreeNR framework with actionable steps to address today's challenges, from improving public waterfront access to greening neighborhoods and enhancing walkable infrastructure. GreeNR invites residents, businesses, and policymakers to join in shaping a city that's greener, healthier, and more livable for all.

"Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, and as a growing city, we're taking thoughtful steps to meet it head-on," said New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert. "The updated GreeNR Plan is a key step forward in our commitment to environmental justice, as it relates to public health and economic opportunity.  By embedding equity into our sustainability strategy, we are ensuring that every resident — no matter their background or zip code — can benefit from a cleaner, greener, and more resilient future. A huge thanks to City Council Member Sara Kaye for her leadership on this initiative."

"I'm proud to support a climate plan that puts equity and resilience at its core," said Sara Kaye, City Council Member for District 5. "That's how we build a stronger, more sustainable future for all New Rochelle residents. And, I'm grateful for the input and support of our community partners for this plan, especially the members of our Ecology and Natural Resources Advisory Committee."

"For over a decade, New Rochelle has been steadfast in its commitment to sustainability — earning recognition from New York State for our proactive climate strategies and investments," said New Rochelle City Manager Wilfredo Melendez. "With GreeNR, we are building on that progress with a bold, strategic framework that embeds sustainability into every facet of city planning and operations. This plan reflects our unwavering focus on resilience and equity, because no one in our community should be at greater environmental risk. By aligning these efforts with our broader sustainability goals and the City Manager Work Plan, we will create a greener, safer, and more inclusive New Rochelle for generations to come."

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To advance sustainability and improve quality of life across the city, the GreeNR Climate Action Plan sets bold, measurable targets. Key goals include:
  • Reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% to lower the city's environmental footprint and improve air quality.
  • Cutting solid waste generation by 15% and boosting the recycling rate to 50% to promote a cleaner, greener city.
  • Absorbing 25 million gallons of floodwater per storm and reducing peak-hour sewage flow by 2 million gallons to enhance climate resiliency and protect public health.
  • Ensuring 95% of new housing is built near mass transit to reduce traffic congestion and create more walkable, connected neighborhoods.

"As climate change accelerates, we must meet it with bold, proactive solutions," said Adam Salgado, Commissioner of Development for the City of New Rochelle. "Stronger storms, rising temperatures, and environmental inequities are already affecting our communities — and we can't afford to be reactive. The 2025 GreeNR Climate Action Plan puts forward-thinking strategies into action, strengthening our resilience, reducing our environmental footprint, and ensuring a greener, more equitable future for all residents, especially those most at risk."

The updated GreeNR Climate Action Plan centers around seven core themes – introducing Climate Leadership, Resiliency & Racial Equity as a new theme added to the original six – with a renewed emphasis on energy efficiency, resource conservation and building equitable resilience.
  1. Climate Leadership, Resiliency & Racial Equity: Strengthen climate resiliency by mitigating risks, adapting community systems, and ensuring equitable climate actions. Also emphasizes prioritizing historically underserved populations to eliminate climate insecurity.
  2. Energy & Climate: Reduce local energy consumption while transitioning to clean, renewable energy sources.
  3. Resource Conservation & Waste Reduction: Minimize solid waste and wastewater peak flows to reduce infrastructure demands and energy consumption. This will be seen through programs such as the Municipal Building Waste Reduction initiative, which will introduce food scrap recycling at city-owned facilities.
  4. Ecology, Biodiversity & Health: Preserve natural beauty, protect vulnerable habitats, and improve air and water quality to foster a healthier ecosystem and stronger community connections with nature. This includes initiatives such as a comprehensive 10-year flood and stormwater mitigation program and the Street Tree Inventory & Community Forestry Management Plan.
  5. Smart Growth & Economic Prosperity: Expand the local tax base, support economic vitality, and create green jobs through sustainable housing density. Focused development will enhance lifestyle options while preserving the city's high-value natural assets.
  6. Transportation & Mobility: Promote sustainable transportation, including walking, biking, carpooling, and public transit. Investments in pedestrian and transit infrastructure will reduce congestion, improve safety, and decrease reliance on private vehicles.
  7. Public Participation & Awareness: Empower residents with information and opportunities to engage in decision-making, make sustainable choices, and contribute to a more informed and active community.

The plan also outlines additional commitments to expand public access to the Long Island Sound, and enhance pedestrian and biking infrastructure. In the coming years, the City plans to increase engagement and transparency with residents surrounding new sustainability and public works initiatives. This includes ensuring historically underserved communities have equitable access to climate resources and input in decision-making through digital and social programming, as well as community meetings.

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"We're pleased to see the 2025 GreeNR sustainability plan officially recognized," said Paul Presendieu, Chair of New Rochelle's Ecology and Natural Resources Advisory Committee, "The Ecology & Natural Resource Committee worked closely with our elected officials, City staff and community members to update the plan and priorities, and it's rewarding to see that work come to fruition. We see this as an important step forward, and we're grateful to have contributed to a plan that reflects a shared vision for the future."

To better integrate sustainability across all city operations, the GreeNR Climate Action Plan aligns with two ongoing initiatives. ClimateReadyNR is a city-wide climate vulnerability assessment, which evaluates risks to critical infrastructure, utilities, and community assets, emphasizing the need for infrastructure upgrades, emergency response improvements, and adaptation strategies. The City also recently completed an Electric Vehicle Master Plan to support the transition to electric vehicles and reduce emissions. New Rochelle now hosts nineteen chargers at New Roc Garage, four at the Transit Center and City Hall, and twenty-two public-access stations at commercial properties, with additional locations in development.

For more information on the 2025 GreeNR Climate Action Plan, visit GreeNR-Climate-Action-Plan.

About The City of New Rochelle

With its unparalleled location, superb quality of life, diverse and talented residents, and a focused business climate, New Rochelle is experiencing the transformation of a generation. The City's current economic development plan will provide a spark for the entire Hudson Valley region, positioning the City as "open for business" and embracing smart, transit-oriented development growth patterns that promote open space, its close proximity to New York City and opportunities for businesses to rebound, recover and succeed in the current economic climate. Accelerated by a new, fast-track zoning process along with resources for small businesses and micro-enterprises, the ongoing Master Development initiative will continue to enhance the downtown area by supporting job creation, property values and private investment – while enhancing sustainability and livability through green and energy-efficient design. For more information on why New Rochelle is ideally yours, please visit https://www.ideallynewrochelle.com.

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