(B01) How to Make Existing Building Energy Codes the Decarbonization Gamechanger We Need Right Now in the Climate Fight

The vast majority of buildings that we will use in the coming decades are already built and account for roughly 39% of the carbon footprint as well as other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We cannot address our climate crisis without tackling improved efficiency and electrification of existing buildings. But how? A number of states and cities are taking action to improve their current building stock with an eye toward minimizing disruption, addressing remediation, and ensuring that low-income communities are prioritized to receive the health and wellness benefits of building upgrades and all-electric appliances. These policies are working to give building owners insight into what they can expect as requirements for cutting carbon from their properties kick in.

This session will feature presenters who are advancing codes and policies that will effectively decarbonize existing buildings and bring us the scale we seek. Real-world models will be shared to bring attendees up to speed on what is working, and lessons learned from the trenches. New Buildings Institute will share a new resource to help jurisdictions set clear and approachable pathways to cut carbon emissions through existing building codes. This tool presents language that acts as an overlay to the Building Decarbonization Code released last year and details the measures needed for cutting emissions from the current building stock. This hands-on presentation will engage audience members to discuss mechanisms—including incentives and penalties—that will ensure compliance with benchmarking, building upgrades, and ongoing disclosures.

Speakers representing work happening at the City of San Diego and the State of Washington will discuss how those codes and policies are working in their jurisdictions, opportunities for building performance standards, and other policies that can be used to ratchet up building efficiency in a way that sends clear market signals to owners for rapid deployment. Speakers will also share financing innovations and other mechanisms to ease the cost and time for making upgrades. Special attention will be given to how communities can prioritize low-income neighborhoods and attendees will participate in a mini-charette to surface and expand on new ideas to ensure that the necessary clean energy transition benefits everyone equitably, creating better housing and opportunities for better paying local jobs.