The Biden Administration has taken a significant step towards combating climate change by introducing the inaugural National Blueprint for Decreasing Building Emissions. The Department of Energy (DOE) unveiled the comprehensive plan on April 2, outlining strategies to aggressively decarbonize the residential and commercial building sectors in the United States.
The blueprint focuses on four key objectives: increasing building energy efficiency, accelerating onsite emissions reductions, improving interactions between buildings and the electricity grid, and reducing emissions from producing, transporting, installing, and disposing of building materials. By achieving these objectives, the Biden administration aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings by 65 percent by 2035 and 90 percent by 2050.
The building sector currently accounts for over one-third of domestic climate pollution and incurs an annual energy cost of $370 billion. By meeting the goal of a 90 percent reduction in GHG emissions, consumers could save more than $100 billion in annual energy costs and avoid $17 billion in annual health costs. The DOE emphasizes that this blueprint is the first sector-wide strategy for building decarbonization developed by the federal government.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm highlights the significance of this plan in combating climate change and improving public health. Granholm states, “America’s building sector accounts for more than a third of the harmful emissions jeopardizing our air and health, but the Biden-Harris Administration has developed a forward-looking strategy to slash these pollutants from buildings across the nation.” She further adds that this comprehensive federal plan will lower utility bills, create healthier communities, and combat the climate crisis.
The blueprint also addresses household inequities, as economically disadvantaged communities are more likely to face energy insecurity and health issues due to substandard building conditions. The DOE sets three cross-cutting goals of equity, affordability, and resilience to ensure that the low-carbon buildings transition benefits disadvantaged communities, reduces energy costs, and increases community resilience.
To achieve the ambitious targets outlined in the blueprint, the government will deploy a wide range of decarbonization and energy efficiency technologies. The plan calls for funding research and development to develop lower-cost technologies, aiding and financing the implementation of emissions-reducing building codes and appliance standards, and expanding markets for low-carbon technologies.
The DOE also emphasizes its focus on building innovations in three key areas: building upgrades, efficient electrification, and smart controls. These areas will play a crucial role in achieving the necessary reductions in building emissions.
This blueprint aligns with President Biden’s whole-of-government approach to cutting harmful carbon emissions and achieving the nation’s clean energy and climate goals. It comes as the Biden administration is pushing to slash carbon emissions in half by 2030. The administration has also implemented other measures, such as plans to cut energy use and electrify equipment and appliances in federal government-owned buildings and the introduction of climate disclosure rules for publicly traded companies.
While the blueprint is non-binding, meaning that opposition from construction companies, building owners, and local governments may hinder its implementation, it serves as a significant step towards decarbonizing the building sector. By setting clear targets and milestones, investing in research and development, and promoting the adoption of low-carbon technologies, this blueprint provides a roadmap for reducing building emissions and addressing climate change. As the Biden administration continues to prioritize climate action, the National Blueprint for Decreasing Building Emissions demonstrates its commitment to a sustainable future.
