US to slash building emissions by 90 percent

The US government has laid out plans to dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions from buildings by 65 percent by 2035 and 90 percent by 2050.

The blueprint includes ways the built environment can cut emissions and is the first sector-wide strategy for building decarbonisation developed by the US federal government. Key to this is to support city and state level decarbonisation objectives.

Jennifer Granholm, the US Secretary of Energy, said that the country’s building sector accounts for more than a third of harmful emissions.

“As part of a whole-of-government approach, [we are] outlining for the first time ever a comprehensive federal plan to reduce energy in our homes, schools, and workplaces—lowering utility bills and creating healthier communities while combating the climate crisis,” she said.

According to her department, buildings account for US$370 billion in annual energy costs and through this action will save consumers more than US$100 billion in annual energy costs and avoid US$17 billion in annual health costs.

Each objective in the blueprint has specific performance targets and market, policy, and technology milestones to reach by 2035 and 2050 and outlines coordinated federal actions that can increase the speed and scale with which the solutions are deployed.

Those actions include funding research and development to develop lower-cost technologies, expanding markets for low-carbon technologies, providing direct funding and financing, and supporting the development and implementation of emissions-reducing building codes and appliance standards.

The actions will also focus on innovations in building upgrades, efficient electrification, and smart controls. And the blueprint will advance scalable technologies and installation solutions for affordable-housing residents while expanding workforce capabilities at the state and local levels.

Image: Justin Eisner on Unsplash