We are currently embarking on a blog series looking at sustainability—and exploring the topic in both in the construction process and ultimately in the lifecycle of the building. Now, there is a new report out that explores how we can create a national blueprint for decarbonizing the United States in the building sector. Let’s take a look at some interesting facts.
Released in April 2024, the report from the U.S. Dept. of Energy provides a framework for how to reduce building greenhouse gas emissions, while still providing resilience, affordability, equity, and other benefits to communities. It sets forth a rather lofty goal too: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. buildings 65% by 2035 and 90% by 2050 compared to 2005.
The benefits are clear. If the industry can achieve this, then we will avoid 7 quads of annual energy use, while converting many building loads to clean electricity. And we will save consumers more than $100 billion in annual energy costs through efficiency improvements. Of course, these are just a few of the benefits. The ultimate long-lasting impact on our environment will be another.
The Objectives
Here is how the U.S. Dept. of Energy aims to reach that intention. The blueprint identifies three cross-cutting goals and four specific objectives with performance targets. The cross-cutting goals—equity, affordability, and resilience—aim to ensure the low-carbon transition will benefit all communities.
The four strategic objectives include:
Increase building energy efficiency. This means reducing onsite energy use intensity in buildings 35% by 2035 and 50% by 2050 compared to 2005.
Accelerate onsite emissions reductions. This means reducing onsite greenhouse gas emissions in buildings by 25% by 2035 and 75% by 2050 compared to 2005.
Transform the grid edge. This means reducing electrical infrastructure costs by tripling demand flexibility potential by 2050 compared to 2020.
Minimize embodied lifecycle emissions. This means reducing embodied emissions from building materials and construction 90% by 2050 compared to 2005.
Let’s all take a minute to digest these goals for a minute. As many in the construction industry know, this isn’t an easy feat. It will take a concentrated effort from all stakeholders in order to achieve these types of goals.
The Blueprint
As we continue to move forward, we must consider the tangible steps we need to take in order to reach such lofty goals—and we need to work together in tandem in order to see the most success. To reach these goals, there are four categories of federal actions that will ultimately enable decarbonization.
The four categories of federal action include:
Maximize technology performance and affordability. This includes leveraging foundational science, early-stage R&D (research and development) funding, solutions for hard-to-decarbonize segments, and pilot demonstrations, just to name a few.
Develop markets and enable deployment. This includes enabling tools, partnerships, and market-facing resources, contractor and consumer outreach, workforce development, and technical assistance and validation.
Provide direct funding and financing. This includes point-of-sales rebates, tax credits and deductions, and facilitating financing.
Lock in cost-effective performance gains. This includes appliance efficiency standards, supporting building energy code development and adoption, and supporting other state and local regularly actions.
Ultimately, federal agencies can provide support to state, local, and tribal action by providing technical assistance, data sharing and decision tools, and more. A combination of funds, codes, and policy will ultimately drive greater decarbonization. We are just on the beginning of this journey—but at this point in time it becomes critical to choose which path you are ultimately going to take.
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