Opportunities for Enhanced Near-term U.S.-China Climate Action: Decarbonizing the Buildings Sector

Buildings contribute to 40% of the globe’s greenhouse gas emissions, consuming three-quarters of electricity in the United States alone. Meanwhile, China has the largest building stock in the world, amounting to nearly half of the globe’s new building area. Buildings also contribute significantly to industrial emissions from the production of construction materials like concrete and steel. How can we ensure zero carbon emissions in new building development? How can we reduce emissions from existing building stocks to contribute to climate objectives? Join the California-China Climate Institute to learn from issue-experts on building decarbonization opportunities for the U.S. and China, including examples from the State of California.

5:00 PM Discussion is opened by Moderator, Jenn Perron, Senior Climate Policy Fellow, California-China Climate Institute

5:05 PM Opening Remarks

Bob Weisenmiller, Research Affiliate, California-China Climate Institute

5:10 p.m. Reducing Building Emissions in the U.S.

Stephanie Greene, Managing Director, Carbon-Free Buildings, Rocky Mountain Institute
Examples from California: Title 24 standards and participation in the National Buildings Performance Standards Coalition

Andrew McAllister, Commissioner, California Energy Commission
Reducing Building Emissions in China

Nan Zhou, Senior Scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

5:50 PM Moderated Audience Question and Answer

6:05 PM Closing Remarks

Anand Gopal, Executive Director, Policy Research, Energy Innovation

Attendance is free, but registration is required to join. REGISTER HERE.