A Department of Energy report from earlier this year looked at decarbonizing the buildings sector by 2050. It’s another time to take a look and begin planning for a future — one that might well include more regulation, client demands, and investor expectations — that’s coming faster than it might seem.
More than a third of greenhouse gas comes from buildings. There are almost 130 million existing buildings in the country and an expected 40 million new homes and 60 billion square feet of commercial space coming by 2050. Buildings account for 74% of electrical use and people spend 90% of their time in structures.
The U.S. goal is to reduce building emissions 65% of 2005 levels by 2035 and 90% by 2050. As GlobeSt.com has repeatedly reported, such goals aren’t some feel-good goal. It’s a solid business consideration for the industry, whether existing buildings or new ones.
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