I. Introduction 

Approximately 43 percent of U.S. carbon dioxide (CO

2

) emissions result

from the energy services required by residential, commercial, and industrial

buildings (Figure 1).

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When combined with other greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of buildings 

such as emissions from the manufacture of building materials and products, the transport of construction

and demolition materials, and the passenger and freight transportation associated with urban sprawl the

result is an even larger GHG footprint. Thus, an effective U.S. climate change strategy must consider

options for reducing the GHG emissions associated with building construction, use, and location. To pro 

mote a least cost strategy and to maximize the likelihood of success, it is useful to consider both near term

strategies for reducing GHGs from the current building stock, as well as longer term strategies for buildings

yet to be constructed. To this end,

this report develops a

Figure 1

 2015 2050  vision for shrink 

CO

2

Emissions  

From Fossil Fuel Combustion 

ing the GHG footprint of the

by End Use Sector, 2002

+

Industrial

U.S. buildings sector. This is

80 MMTC

(5%)

done by analyzing technology and

Industry

Commercial

policy options taking into account

377 MMTC

265 MMTC

(25%)

(17%)

the competing goals, multiple

Buildings

658 MMTC

actors, and specific characteristics

Transportation

(43%)

482 MMTC

Residential

of this sector.

(32%)

313 MMTC

(21%)

Reducing energy end use

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in transportation, buildings, and

Units are in million metric tons of carbon (MMTC), assuming 40 MMTC per quadrillion BTU

industry is key to reducing global

(quad) of energy consumed in industrial buildings. The total emissions for all sectors is 1,516

MMTC (excluding 13 MMTC for U.S. territories). Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection

GHG emissions in the future. 

Agency. 2004. U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990 2002. EPA/430 R 04 003

(2004). U.S. EPA, Washington, DC, 3 7, table 3 6. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

1997. An Analysis of Buildings Related Energy Use in Manufacturing, PNNL 11499,  Pacific

A reduction in end use energy

Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA table 4.1. 

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Towards a Climate Friendly  

Built Environment

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