US can cut building emissions by up to 91%, saving $100 billion per year in energy-related costs, modeling study shows
US can cut building emissions by up to 91%, saving $100 billion per ... Science Daily
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The US Path to Net-Zero Emissions by 2050
The United States has made a commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. To accomplish this ambitious goal, significant reductions in emissions are necessary, particularly in high-emission sectors such as the building industry. In an article published on August 18 in the journal One Earth, a team of researchers utilized a computational model to analyze various scenarios of future building energy use in the US. Their findings highlight the importance of addressing emissions from multiple angles and prioritizing “demand-side measures” that impact power consumption, such as the implementation of technologies like electric heat pumps and smart thermostats. By adopting these strategies, the US can achieve its climate goals, reduce building emissions by 91% compared to their peak in 2005, and save over $100 billion annually on energy costs.
The Role of Buildings in Emissions Reduction
“Meeting the US 2050 net-zero emissions target requires a rapid and cost-effective low-carbon transition across the entire energy system,” write the team of energy technology experts based at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and energy consultants. “Commercial and residential buildings are a primary source of emissions and are key to this transition.”
In the United States, buildings, including both public and private structures such as offices and homes, contribute 35% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions. In 2005, the buildings sector alone emitted 2,327 megatons of carbon dioxide, marking a record high. Since then, emissions have already decreased by 25% and are projected to further decline by up to 41% by 2050. However, continued efforts to reduce emissions are necessary to achieve climate goals.
Strategies for Emissions Reduction
The research team identifies three main approaches to cutting building-related emissions. They argue that the focus should be on enhancing energy efficiency in buildings, improving the reliability of the power grid by increasing its flexibility, and utilizing low-carbon energy sources. The authors emphasize that there is no single solution for decarbonizing buildings and that a comprehensive mix of solutions addressing both energy generation and end-use is required. This necessitates an “all-of-the-above” approach to decarbonize the built environment.
Modeling Emissions Reduction Scenarios
The team developed “low,” “moderate,” and “aggressive” scenarios to assess the potential emissions cuts achievable through the aforementioned approach. Their analysis reveals that it is possible to reduce building emissions by 91% compared to 2005 levels by 2050. Demand-side measures, such as the adoption of heat pumps and smart thermostats that enhance power grid flexibility, could contribute up to 45% of these emissions reductions. The researchers emphasize the increasing importance of flexibility as renewable energy sources become more prevalent and electricity distribution networks face challenges due to growing demand for clean power.
Challenges and Recommendations
However, achieving such significant emissions cuts would require the “aggressive” intervention level proposed by the researchers’ model. The authors highlight the need for an unprecedented scale and speed of building technology development and deployment, as well as a substantial commitment to transforming energy consumption patterns. They stress that realizing these changes in the building sector demands rapid and sustained investment, along with supportive policies and regulations. The authors hope that their study can inform concrete policy approaches that accelerate the decarbonization of the energy system, encompassing both demand- and supply-side technologies, to achieve ambitious climate change mitigation targets in the US.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses the need to reduce emissions in the building industry, which is connected to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) as it emphasizes the importance of utilizing low-carbon energy sources. It also relates to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) as it highlights the need for technological advancements such as electric heat pumps and smart thermostats. Furthermore, the article mentions the role of buildings in contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, which is relevant to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Lastly, the article addresses SDG 13 (Climate Action) as it discusses the US commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable.
- Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities.
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
The article’s content suggests that achieving these targets is crucial for addressing the issues discussed. By increasing the share of renewable energy sources, upgrading infrastructure to be sustainable, reducing the environmental impact of cities, and integrating climate change measures into policies and planning, progress can be made towards the goals outlined in the article.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.
- Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emissions per unit of value added.
- Indicator 11.6.1: Proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and with adequate final discharge out of total urban solid waste generated.
- Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change.
The article does not explicitly mention these indicators, but they can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. By tracking the renewable energy share in total energy consumption, CO2 emissions per unit of value added, proportion of urban solid waste properly managed, and the number of countries with integrated climate change policies, progress towards the targets can be assessed.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption. |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable. | Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emissions per unit of value added. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities. | Indicator 11.6.1: Proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and with adequate final discharge out of total urban solid waste generated. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change. |
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Source: sciencedaily.com
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