Table of Contents

Towards a Climate-Friendly Built Environment

Foreword ii

Executive Summary iii

I.   Introduction 1

II.  Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Sources and Trends 6

A.   Energy Use and Energy Trends in U.S. Buildings 9
B.   New Construction versus Renovation 11
C.   Green Buildings 12
D.   Regional Markets for Best Practices 14
E.    The Technical and Economic Potential for GHG Reductions 14

III. Market Structure and Change Mechanisms 17

A.   The Fragmented Buildings Industry 17
B.   Other Obstacles to GHG Reductions in the Building Sector 20
C.   Drivers for Low-GHG Buildings: Now and in the Future 23

IV. Technology Opportunities in Major Building Subsectors 26

A.    Homes and Small Businesses 26
B.    Large Commercial and Industrial Buildings 35

V.   Community and Urban Systems 39

A.   Estimates of GHG Reduction Potentials 40
B.   Possible Policy Instruments 41
C.   Potential Influence of Urban Form on Vehicular Travel 44

VI. Policy Options 45

A.   Regulation 45
B.   Financial Incentives 49
C.   Information and Education 51
D.   Management of Government GHG Emissions and Energy Use 53
E.    Research and Development 54
F.    The Potential for Reduced Emissions 58

VII. Conclusions 62

A.    Technology Opportunities in the 2005-2025 Time Frame 62
B.    Building Green And Smart in the 2050 Time Frame 64
C.    Linking Near-Term Action with Long-Term Potential 65

Endnotes 66