An executive order approved Tuesday by Gov. Kathy Hochul will take a series of actions meant to address climate change and help New York state government transition to cleaner forms of energy by 2040.

The order includes provisions to streamline efforts at state agencies by setting new environmental performance goals as they seek to reach "net zero" emissions within the next decade and a half.

"New York is already leading the nation on climate action, and with this Order, we are creating the roadmap to help other states follow suit," Hochul said. "With these new commitments, we are stepping up our approach to environmental stewardship with new and ambitious goals to shift toward renewable energy, invest in electric vehicles, and drastically reduce waste and toxic substance use - all while protecting our state's most disadvantaged communities."

The order was signed as the world recgonizes Climate Week and efforts to curtail the effects of a warming planet.

"As a global financial capital, New York is in a unique position to combat climate change, and my administration remains committed to leading the fight by aligning our investments and operations with New York state values," Hochul said.

The order will require state agencies to use "best practices" when making environmentally friendly purchases and operational directives. The effort will be led by the GreenNY Council, a working group led by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the state Division of Budget, the Office of General Services and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority as well as the New York Power Authority.

Annual reports from agencies will be required in effort to review whether goals are being kept. That includes transitioning to 100% electricity used in state operations coming from renewable energy sources by 2030 and having all non-emergency vehicle fleets being composed of zero emission vehicles by 2035.