C. Linking Near Term Action with Long Term Potential

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 ener 

gy intensive structures that embody today's standard practices. By mid century, land use policies could

also significantly reduce GHG emissions. This inter temporal phasing of impacts does not mean that retrofit

versus new construction versus land use policies should be staged; to achieve significant GHG reductions

by 2050, all three elements of an integrated policy approach must be strengthened in the near term.

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

take longer to produce new, ultra low GHG technologies. This does not mean that fundamental 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. Vigorous market

transformation and deployment programs will be needed throughout the coming decades to shrink the

existing technology gap and to ensure that the next generation of low GHG innovations is rapidly adopted.

By linking near term action with long term potential in an expansive and integrated framework,

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the building sector can be propelled to a leadership role in reducing GHG emissions in the United States

and globally.

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65

Towards a Climate Friendly  

Built Environment

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