The Building Decarbonization Coalition is asking California Governor Gavin Newsom to address what they call a blind spot in the state’s climate policy: emissions from homes and buildings.
In “A Roadmap to Decarbonize California’s Buildings,” released this week, the coalition laid out a plan for the state to cut building emissions 20% in the next six years and 40% by 2030 — and to adopt zero-emission building codes for residential and commercial buildings by 2025 and 2027, respectively. Residential buildings produce roughly two-thirds of the state’s building emissions, and commercial buildings produce around one-third, the coalition notes.
Last month, the California Public Utilities Commission announced efforts to reduce building emissions, as it implements SB 1477 from Sen. Henry Stern, which deploys $200 million to help make clean heating options like electric heat pumps more accessible to all Californians through incentives for manufacturers and builders.
The Roadmap — developed by energy providers, workers, developers, local governments and environmental organizations — responds to a range of market and policy barriers preventing mass adoption of zero-emission appliances, even though electric heat pumps, electric induction ranges and electric clothes dryers are readily available.
To achieve an equitable approach for all consumers, the roadmap calls for low-cost, easily accessible financing options, re-aligning existing programs to help communities achieve carbon-free homes and implementing measures such as bulk purchasing, subsidizing installations and contractor training.
The Building Decarbonization Coalition Roadmap recommends the following:
The 4th Annual Environmental Leader & Energy Manager Conference takes place May 13 – 15, 2019 in Denver. Learn more here.
