Challenges and Opportunities for Home Decarbonization

The Building Decarbonization Coalition and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory are collaborating on a seminar series called Challenges and Opportunities for Home Decarbonization. The seminar series aims to explore the challenges and opportunities of the home decarbonization energy transition. We will hear from industry experts and researchers who are actively engaged in working on home electrification and decarbonization. They will share their latest experience and insights to provide practical solutions for getting to scale with the sustainable energy transition in homes. As well as technical solutions, these seminars will cover topics including affordability, equity, workforce and resilience. Join us for the first of the series below!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SEMINAR 8: Energy Equity in Home Electrification and Decarbonization
December 3rd, 2024 - 11 am PT / 2 pm ET

Abstract

Achieving energy equity in the decarbonization of existing residential buildings is essential to ensure that all communities and households can benefit from cleaner, and more energy efficient environment and that we achieve our climate-related goals for the building sector. However, advancing equitable outcomes in this energy transition presents significant challenges. This presentation explores barriers in retrofitting existing buildings to meet decarbonization goals, with a focus on underserved communities that often lack resources for energy-efficient upgrades. Through case studies and recent research, the presentation explores how equitable decarbonization requires not only addressing costs and emissions reductions, but also maximizing non-energy impacts like improved indoor air quality, enhanced building resilience, and increased property value. Additionally, we consider the technical and workforce-related obstacles that disproportionately impact these communities, including outdated infrastructure and lack of skilled labor for sustainable retrofitting. By identifying scalable and inclusive pathways, this seminar underscores the importance of integrating equity into decarbonization strategies for existing buildings.

Presenters

Julia Hatton - President of Rising Sun

John Red Cloud - Managing Director at Red Cloud Renewable

Josh Geyer - Multifamily Sector Lead at HUD

ROADMAP for Home Decarbonization

Decarbonizing the US housing stock is a complex and difficult undertaking. This report summarizes the challenges in getting to scale to decarbonize large numbers of existing homes. It identifies key opportunities for overcoming these challenges based on three key priorities:

• Develop solutions for all households
• Make home dearbonization affordable
• Support the US clean energy economy

This report provides targeted guidance and background information to help residential building decarbonization initiatives succeed and supports the US Department of Energy's Building Technology Office goal to achieve low/no carbon emission in existing homes by 2050.

DOCUMENT to download HERE

We have also prepared some simple Q&A's to supplement this report.