Setting the Table for Building Decarbonization
Decarbonizing buildings is essential to achieving broader climate goals, which demand rapid progress toward economy-wide decarbonization. Getting there will require thoughtful policy approaches, as building decarbonization involves actions by thousands of individual building owners, as well as…
Emerging Heat Pump Technologies
Efficient electrification of homes and buildings has made progress in recent years through the adoption of heat pump technologies for space and water heating applications. However, other HVAC and hot water system applications in both the residential and commercial sectors still need readily…
Centering Equity with Metrics (Introduction)
A history of environmental racism and inequitable energy decision-making have led to historically marginalized communities bearing the largest burdens of the fossil fuel…
Centering Equity with Metrics (Full Report)
Historically marginalized and/or…
Performance Incentives that Align with Equity Priorities
Performance incentive mechanisms (PIMs) are financial incentives or penalties that encourage program administrators to achieve certain targets or performance levels. If performance incentives are designed to encourage energy equity, program implementers will deliver more…
Creating Equity-Centered Program Goals
Oftentimes, equity of treatment, program access, and outcomes are expressed as a policy but not as a program requirement. Policymakers can change this dynamic by creating goals that align with energy equity policy. Identifying a goal or goals for…
Identifying Equity-Centered Tracking Metrics
Equity-related tracking efforts, whether in the energy efficiency space or beyond, are important ways to better understand current practices, identify gaps, see trends over time, and provide accountability. Traditional energy efficiency program metrics focus on…
Accounting for Equity in Cost-Benefit Analysis
Current cost-benefit analysis practices ensure energy efficiency programs deliver cost-effective energy savings. This means inputs to the cost-benefit analysis look only at energy costs and…
Identifying Disparities with an Equity Gap Analysis
An equity gap analysis can help regulators and program implementers understand inequities in access to the benefits of energy efficiency programs. A gap analysis is an important step in…
