NYC Health + Hospitals on May 29, 2024, announced the appointment of Omer Cabuk, ME as its first ever Chief Decarbonization Officer. In this role, Omer will spearhead the organization’s robust decarbonization initiatives, adhering to the targets set by Local Law 97 of 2019, which mandates a 40% reduction in operational emissions by 2025 and a 50% reduction by 2030. He will serve as an executive-level strategist, partnering with leadership team, capital project leads, facilities management staff, and other key stakeholders to fully embed energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy initiatives for the built environment into corporation’s policy, operations, and capital planning. He will also advise executive leadership on strategic opportunities, critical issues, and risks impacting decarbonization efforts within the organization’s operations. His appointment was effective April 8.
Omer will also support the health system’s Climate Resiliency Goals by implementing decarbonization projects and initiatives that reduce environmental impacts, enhance energy reliability, improve public health, and ensure sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The announcement builds on the health system’s Climate Resiliency Plan announced last week.
Omer Cabuk brings experience and a proven track record to his new role. As the former Senior Director of Decarbonization and Sustainability at NYC Health + Hospitals, he led significant decarbonization projects that substantially reduced both direct and purchased energy emissions. These initiatives were crucial in enabling the organization to sign the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Sector Climate Pledge in May 2022, which includes commitments to reduce direct and purchased energy emissions, complete a climate resilience study, and conduct an inventory of all indirect greenhouse gas emissions that occur in an organization's value chain. Additionally, during his tenure, Omer managed an annual utilities budget of $100 million, optimizing and reducing costs associated with gas, electricity, and district steam utilities.
“Omer has worked tirelessly on the essential work of decarbonization and sustainability at our facilities,” said Manuel Saez, PhD, Vice President of the Office of Facilities Development at NYC Heath + Hospitals. “This new role shows NYC Health + Hospitals’ commitment to providing the best possible care for our community by ensuring resiliency throughout the system.”
“Omer Cabuk’s appointment as Chief Decarbonization Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals marks a pivotal moment in our city’s fight against climate change, and his extensive experience and proven track record in sustainability will be instrumental in advancing our decarbonization goals,” said Sana Barakat, Department of Citywide Administrative Services Deputy Commissioner for Energy Management, and the City's Chief Decarbonization Officer.
