The built environment, which includes but is not limited to single family and multifamily housing, offices, warehouses, hospitals, schools, etc. is responsible for approximately 35% of total U.S. emissions. Effective energy efficiency policies provide the practical tools required to impactfully reduce emissions without sacrificing comfort or quality, while also achieving a reduction in overall energy demand, in addition to energy cost savings. In fact, whether it is improved public health outcomes, productivity, or greater energy security, energy efficiency can actually advance quality of life in our communities. To meet Net-Zero Emissions by 2050 targets globally, 2.5% of the existing building stock must be retrofitted annually, compared to the current 1% annual retrofit rate. In addition to renovating existing buildings for efficiency, it is also vital that new construction adheres to the most recent energy codes. To achieve these deep decarbonization targets, 97% of new home construction, or about 1 million homes per year, along with 90% of new commercial building square footage, must meet or exceed the latest code requirements. Studies show that the full deployment of energy efficiency in the building sector can drive nearly half of the emissions reduction in an aggressive building decarbonization plan, resulting in annual power system savings of between $57 billion to $107 billion by 2050. Those same studies find that the key to meeting emissions targets are the early deployment and utilization (before 2030) of retrofits and energy codes, which would allow the energy cost savings to offset over a third of the expected additional costs of grid decarbonization.
Category Selection: