A Call to Action for Energy E iciency

Energy efficiency and reduced energy use are Our Vision: vital to slow the rate of climate change and ACEEE’s vision is to aggressively mobilize and mitigate its impacts. ACEEE has demonstrated scale up energy efficiency to reduce greenhouse that America can reduce domestic energy use and gas (GHG) emissions and combat climate change, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by 2050 and to do so at substantial economic savings. while improving our nation’s economy and equity. Given the worldwide reach of America’s economy, ACEEE is eager to lead the way. we must use our nation’s economic leverage, energy technology leadership, and imagination ACEEE will work toward a future where no later than to strengthen global decarbonization efforts, 2050, due to energy efficiency, America has halved particularly in large developing countries. We seek domestic energy use and associated GHG and a vibrant and equitable economy that uses energy pollutant emissions. more productively, reduces energy costs, and promotes the health, safety and well-being of all.

ACEEE was founded 40 years ago on the In our vision for 2050: principle that efficient energy use was critical • Industry will be decarbonized, economically to our nation’s well-being and security. We set a vital and globally competitive. goal to reduce the United States’ overall energy use • Transportation energy use will be cut in half, and waste and to end our dependence on foreign and emissions are cut more than 60%, with oil. Since then, energy efficiency has helped reduce the resulting advances accessible to all. energy imports, doubled energy productivity and • Total building and end-use energy led to economic savings. consumption and emissions will be cut in half, new buildings will be zero energy and We have cut U.S. energy use in half relative to the carbon neutral and buildings will be resilient, size of the economy and are saving more than providing a healthy and safe environment for $2,000 per capita in energy bills. Efficiency now everyone. saves more energy each year than America uses from any other single energy resource, including oil, • The power sector will be optimized natural gas and coal. and secure, with energy efficiency complementing diverse, clean supply Climate change, equity and economic issues and demand resources to deliver energy demand urgent action. The pace of climate change affordably, efficiently and reliably. due to global energy use threatens our world’s well- • America will have made a just transition to a being and compromises the global economy, our cleaner, low-carbon economy, with reduced health and safety, and the ecosystems on which we energy burdens and benefits from clean depend. Inequality and uneven economic growth energy jobs accruing to all citizens. have worsened, exacerbated by the climate crisis, • Many high-impact, energy-related carbon- high energy costs, and energy production, and are reducing solutions will be implemented disproportionately harming developing nations, globally. low-income communities and communities of color. Our Path Forward: We will work collaboratively with diverse partners so that by 2030: ACEEE commits our analytical research and policy • Many strategies, including a public-private advocacy skills to work more intensively and boldly to agenda to transform processes and products, solve these urgent challenges. We will imagine, shape, will have reduced industrial GHG emissions by a explain and advance transformative efficiency ideas third since 2020, and half of U.S. manufacturing and behaviors, and we will do so at the maximum facilities will use strategic energy management. possible speed and scale in order to double the rate • The fuel efficiency of new vehicles will have of annual efficiency improvements and slow the rate increased by at least 50% relative to 2020 and of climate change. electric vehicle sales achieve 20% penetration. We must grow the national political will, commitment Passenger and freight vehicles miles will have and funds to implement new and existing efficiency declined by 10% since 2020 through pricing technologies at a massive scale to maximize mechanisms, transportation infrastructure greenhouse gas emissions reductions, increase and service investments, including enhanced resilience in the face of climate change and realize mobility options and the prioritization of the economic and equity benefits of greater energy compact development. productivity. • One-quarter of new construction will be zero net energy and carbon neutral and the rate of These solutions will require ACEEE and our partners existing building retrofits will have doubled with to take risks, pursue unproven initiatives, and at times scalable models and techniques. fail. But the urgency of the climate change threat • Highly efficient cooling design approaches and defies caution. technologies will be available for use in new and existing buildings, to protect public health ACEEE is uniquely positioned to collaborate against higher temperatures. with businesses, governments, academia and • The electric power sector will use energy philanthropy, as well as public interest, health efficiency and demand flexibility as first-line and environmental justice groups to generate resources to support a cost-effective, clean the solutions we seek. power grid that delivers affordable, reliable, high quality energy services to all, reaching 50% By convening conversations, conducting carbon-free electricity in most states. policy analyses, sharing our research, advising policymakers, and educating consumers and • Investments in efficiency for buildings occupied businesses, ACEEE commits to serve as a catalyst and by low-income households (those at or below agent for the systemic transformation necessary to 200% of the federal poverty level) will have address climate change. increased five-fold, reaching one-third of eligible low-income households with a comprehensive weatherization program. Efficiency jobs created will reflect the demographics of the communities they serve.