By Neal Elliott, Senior Director for Research – Finally, some good EIA news! Recent hurricanes and major climate reports have heightened awareness carbon emissions and of climate change. As well as, the dire need to reduce carbon emissions. This week, a blog post from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows energy efficiency is a vital climate solution reports that half of the carbon emissions reductions. That’s in the electric power sector. Cause since 2005 have come from stopping growth in demand for electricity. That’s as shown in the EIA’s graphic. Other research finds that a large part of the demand reduction is due to consumer energy efficiency.

That’s why I’ve written in an unprecedented statement of coordinated action from business and cities, states and regions. In addition the 38 signatories, made up of 12 businesses, 22 cities and four states and regions. They gathered at a dedicated session to signal the start of a leadership movement towards a decarbonised built environment.

Cause Businesses across the world representing US$ 22.95 billion in revenue. That’s throughout the building and construction supply chain. They have set ambitious targets to eliminate operational carbon emissions from their building portfolios of over 10.7 million square meters by 2030.  This will create a wider market transformation to enable net zero carbon buildings by 2050.

So Leaders from some of the world’s biggest cities plus two major regions. They have committed to enact regulations and/or planning policy. Cause that will require all new buildings within their jurisdiction to operate at net zero carbon from 2030. In addition  and all buildings, including existing, to operate at net zero carbon by 2050. Some cities, state and regional governments, have additionally committed to ensure the municipal assets they own, operate and develop are net zero carbon by 2030.