Given the durable nature of buildings, the potential for GHG reductions resides mostly with the existing

building stock for some time to come. However, by 2025, newly constructed net zero energy homes

and climate friendly designs for large commercial buildings and industrial facilities could begin to

generate sizeable GHG reductions by displacing the energy intensive structures that embody today's

standard practices. By mid century, land use policies could have an equally significant impact on

GHG emissions. This inter temporal phasing of impacts does not mean that retrofit, new construc 

tion, and land use policies should be staged; to achieve significant GHG reductions by 2050, all

three types of policies must be strengthened as soon as politically feasible.

  Similarly, applied R&D will lead to GHG reductions in the short run, while in the long run basic research

will produce new, ultra low GHG technologies. This does not mean that basic research should be

delayed while applied R&D opportunities are exploited. The pipeline of technology options must be

continuously replenished by an ongoing program of both applied and basic research.

By linking near term action to long term potential, the building sector can assume a leadership

role in reducing GHG emissions in the United States and globally.

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vii

Towards a Climate Friendly  

Built Environment

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