BuildingsAccountfor39%ofCO2emissionsintheUnited.docVIP

Buildings Account for 39% of CO2 emissions in the United States The commercial and residential building sector accounts for 39% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the United States per year, more than any other sector.1 U.S. buildings alone are responsible for more CO2 emissions annually than those of any other country except China.2 Most of these emissions come from the combustion of fossil fuels to provide heating, cooling and lighting, and to power appliances and electrical equipment.1 By transforming the built environment to be more energy-efficient and climate-friendly, the building sector can play a major role in reducing the threat of climate change. A growing source of CO2 emissions: In 2006, total emissions from residential and commercial buildings were 2226 million metric tons of CO2, or 39% of total U.S. CO2 emissions—more than either the transportation or industrial sectors3 CO2 emissions are expected to increase 1.8% annually through the year 20303 When other CO2 emissions attributable to buildings are considered—such as the emissions from the manufacture and transport of building construction and demolition materials and transportation associated with urban sprawl—the result is an even greater impact on the climate Buildings consume 72% of the electricity load in the U.S.1 The most significant factor contributing to CO2 emissions from buildings is their use of electricity: Commercial and residential buildings are tremendous users of electricity, accounting for more than 72% of electricity use in the U.S.1 The building sector consumed 38.77 quadrillion Btus of energy in 2006 at a cost of over $82 billion. Energy use in the sector is projected to increase to 50.10 quadrillion Btus at a cost of $106 billion by the year 2030.1 The energy impact of buildings is likely to be even greater when taking into account other energy use attributable to buildings. For example, improvements to a building’s thermal envelope can reduce hea