California Air Resources Board

California is on track to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 [Senate Bill 32 (SB 32), Pavley, 2016]. California’s 2022 Scoping Plan outlines a roadmap for the state to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 or earlier. Residential and non-residential buildings are responsible for roughly 37% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when including direct emissions, electricity demand, behind-the-meter methane leakage, refrigerant leakage, and embodied carbon [1]. CARB’s emissions reduction efforts include the development of a comprehensive strategy to achieve a 40% net reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions of building materials by 2035, with a reporting framework in place by 2026 and a reductions strategy developed by 2028 [Assembly Bill 2446 (AB 2446), Holden, 2022 and AB 43, Holden, 2023]. CARB is also developing zero-emission space and water heater standards to assist with meeting climate and air quality targets and improve public health. Additionally, CARB has a program regulating the use of refrigerants in space conditioning and refrigeration systems that also contribute directly to building-related GHG emissions.

CARB efforts on reducing emissions from buildings are currently focused on reducing three main categories: 1) embodied carbon, which comes primarily from the production, transport, installation, and disposal of building materials used in the construction of buildings; 2) direct emissions from space and water heating to meet the day-to-day functional needs of building occupants; and 3) refrigerant leakage from space conditioning and refrigeration systems. 

In the embodied carbon scope, CARB is required by statute to develop a framework by 2026 to measure and track the carbon intensity of building materials and construction projects in the state. CARB is also required to develop a strategy by 2028 to achieve a 40% reduction in the carbon intensity of these materials and activities by 2035. CARB staff is currently engaging in public engagement efforts to help inform the development of this program.

CARB is developing zero-emission space and water heater standards as a key strategy to achieve California’s carbon neutrality target. CARB also committed to investigating developing zero-emission space and water heater standards as part of California’s air quality strategy, the 2022 State Strategy for the State Implementation Plan. Zero-emission space and water heater standards provide an opportunity for substantial emission reductions from buildings to assist California to meet climate and air quality targets and improve public health. Zero-emission space and water heater standards are a key component of a broader portfolio of complementary policies to achieving a successful and equitable building decarbonization transition [2]. Several key complementary policies include, but may not be limited to the following:  

• Building a Just and Sustainable Market through equitable decarbonization direct install programs, tenant protections, favorable energy rate design, incentive programs, consumer education, and workforce development.
• Energy Strategic Planning related to infrastructure planning, gas system pruning, and long-term planning for grid readiness.
• Establishing Standards through air district adoption of Zero-NOx rules, Low-GWP refrigerant rules, CEC’s space and water heater sales data collection rulemaking, and CARB zero-GHG emission standards.
• Advancing Building Codes at the state level through CALGreen and the Energy Code and local adoption of reach standards.

CARB efforts also cover hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), which are among the most potent and widespread climate pollutants in the world, and their use is growing rapidly. Used for a variety of purposes, from refrigerants to foam blowing agents, propellants, and more, the HFC Reduction Measures are a range of strategies designed to prevent the release of HFCs into the atmosphere. Measures include incentive programs to help launch alternative technologies that are more climate-friendly and various regulations. CARB works collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders and other state agencies to ensure the measures are effective while also meeting other environmental goals such as improved energy efficiency.

Related Links

California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)

CPUC is responsible for a Building Decarbonization proceeding to implement SB 1477, develop pilot programs to address new construction in areas damaged by wildfires, coordinate policies with CEC's Energy Code and Appliance Efficiency Standards, and establish a policy framework.

Department of Community Services and Development (CSD)

CSD delivers the Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) to provide low-income households with solar PV systems and energy efficiency upgrades at no cost. LIWP is funded by the California Climate Investments program.

California Energy Commission (CEC)

The California Energy Commission (CEC), in consultation with CPUC, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), is developing a plan to achieve the AB 3232 target to reduce building related GHG emissions by 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. 

Building Decarbonization Coalition

Building Decarbonization Coalition is a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating market transformation, building consumer awareness, advocating for public policy, and identifying research opportunities to advancing building decarbonization in California.

[1] United Nations Environment Programme and Yale Center for Ecosystems + Architecture. 2023. "Building Materials and the Climate: Constructing a New Future". Knowledge Repository - UNEP. UNEP. 

[2] California Air Resources Board. 2022. 2022 Scoping Plan, Appendix F Building Decarbonization. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2022-11/2022-sp-appendix-f-building-decarbonization.pdf