Mitigating Climate Change through Green Buildings and Smart Growth

.En ergy-efficient buildings are seen byclim ate change experts as one of the least-cost approaches to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. This paper summarizes,a studydone,for the Pew Center on Global Climate Change that takes a broader look at the potential role of a climate-friendlybuilt environment includingnot onlyco nsiderations of howbuildi ngs are constructed and used, but also how they interfacewith the electric grid and where theyare located in terms of urban densities and access to employment and services. In addition to summarizing mechanisms of change (barriers and drivers), the paper reviews a set of policies that could bring carbon emissions in the building sector in 2025 back almost to 2004 levels. By mid-century, the combination of green buildings and smart growth could deliver the deeper reductions that many believe are needed to mitigate climate change. 1,