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Buildings contribute at least 39% of annual global energy-related carbon emissions, with at least 25% of those coming from embodied carbon in materials and construction. The document outlines five policy strategies—procurement policy, climate action plans, building codes, low-carbon design, and design for longevity—to stimulate market demand for low-carbon solutions without increasing construction costs or government spending.

The document explains that buildings contribute at least 39% of annual global energy-related carbon emissions, with at least one-quarter of those stemming from embodied carbon associated with materials and construction. It argues that developers can reduce these emissions by prioritizing the reuse of existing buildings over new construction and by setting clear environmental goals for project teams. To balance financial returns with environmental certifications, the text recommends six strategies: building less (prioritizing redevelopment), building collaboratively (using LCAs and inventories), building for longevity (adaptability and deconstruction), following data (requesting EPDs), reducing waste, and considering carbon offsetting.

The document specifies the technical parameters used for modeling the transition from electric resistance heating to heat pumps in the United States. It details rated efficiencies for space and water heating systems, the use of EIA RECS 2020 microdata and NREL ResStock for home archetypes and load profiles, and the methodology for calculating electric volumetric prices based on 2024 EIA residential state-average revenue.

The Hano Homes project in Boston aims to transform a multifamily residential building constructed in 1888 into a net-zero energy property through a deep energy retrofit planned for 2023–2024. The strategy involves wrapping the building in a superinsulated exterior shell, replacing gas boilers and water heaters with all-electric heat pump systems, and installing a 100–110 kW rooftop solar PV system. These measures are expected to reduce energy usage by 69% and eliminate operational greenhouse gas emissions, while the use of bio-based insulation is intended to store carbon and reduce embodied emissions.

The document details the methodology and assumptions for a comparative analysis of heat pumps versus delivered fuels in US homes. It specifies the use of 2020 EIA RECS microdata for building archetypes, 2024 state-average energy prices, and specific efficiency ratings (HSPF2, SEER2, and UEF) for air source heat pumps (ASHP) and heat pump water heaters (HPWH) across different climate zones. Hourly energy load profiles were sourced from NREL's ResStock, with ASHP performance curves based on TMY3 temperature data and the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships' database.

The document advocates for product-level emissions reporting in the steel sector to enable purchasers to make informed decisions that drive decarbonization. It highlights the significant difference in energy and emissions intensity between ore-based steel (average energy intensity ~21.4 GJ/t) and scrap-based steel (~2.1 GJ/t). While increasing the share of scrap-based steel is a key lever, the document notes that recycled scrap is projected to meet only half of overall steel demand by 2050, necessitating technological improvements in ore-based production, such as green hydrogen-based direct reduction. RMI provides a Steel Emissions Reporting Guidance to help steelmakers report emissions by production process, allowing them to demonstrate both incremental reductions via scrap use and transformational reductions via process changes and zero-emissions electricity.

The analysis employs RMI's Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) and Smarter MODES tools to model the impact of three specific policy interventions in Illinois: electric vehicle sales standards, GHG planning in infrastructure, and increased transit investment. The EPS model assumes the adoption of Advanced Clean Cars 2 and Advanced Clean Trucks starting in 2029, targeting 100% zero-emission passenger cars and SUVs, 58% of commercial trucks, and 33% of buses by 2035. Simultaneously, the Smarter MODES calculator models a 20% per capita reduction in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by 2050 compared to 2019 levels, alongside an 80% electric light-duty vehicle stock by 2050.

The document outlines a methodology for estimating GHG emissions reductions achievable through land use reform in the US. It projects that over 13 million new housing units will be needed by 2033 to address population growth and existing shortages. By comparing a 'business as usual' scenario with a 'low VMT' scenario—where 90% of new housing is placed in the 90th percentile lowest VMT areas of each state—the analysis calculates potential savings in direct tailpipe emissions, vehicle lifecycle emissions, and indirect emissions from building energy, embodied carbon, and the loss of natural land carbon sinks.

The document describes a methodology for downscaling national Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding and co-benefits to the US state level. For tax credits, RMI uses 'Climate-Aligned Targets' based on the Net Zero America study and RMI State Scorecards to estimate potential investment in electric vehicles, renewable energy, heat pumps, and carbon sequestration. For non-tax credit funding (rebates, grants, loans), the analysis downscales Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates using state-specific metrics such as methane emissions, fuel consumption, or population. Public health and jobs benefits are downscaled from Energy Innovation's national modeling based on state population relative to the United States.

The document details the analytical approach used to estimate up to $91 billion in savings for Minnesota by comparing 'business-as-usual' transportation scenarios against targets for VMT reduction and net-zero emissions. It describes the monetization of avoided crash fatalities, air quality improvements, fuel and operating costs, and the social cost of carbon.

Newtonian Shift is a room-sized board game and workshop developed by the Advanced Energy Centre (AEC) at MaRS and RMI's Electricity Innovation Lab (e-Lab). It simulates multiple years of energy-sector transformation in a single day, allowing 20-30 players to explore the effects of new technologies, policies, and business models from the perspectives of utilities, government, and customers. The program has engaged over 600 sector leaders across North America, including organizations such as CAISO and the New York Power Authority.

The document presents specific legal clauses from NZE leases, including the Bullitt Center, Boulder Commons, 1400 Page Mill Road, and PLANYC. These excerpts cover mechanisms for managing energy budgets, submetering electricity and water, annual recommissioning of building systems, and the amortization of capital improvements intended to improve energy efficiency.

The public consultation for the Renewable Energy (RE) Emissions Score V1.0 revealed that while stakeholders generally view the tool as a positive addition to GHG reporting—particularly for the cryptocurrency sector—there are significant concerns regarding the 'procurement factor' and the use of Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE). Respondents highlighted that a score of 100 may not represent true zero net emissions due to embedded emissions in hardware and the limitations of marginal emissions factors in aligning with global net-zero targets.

The document describes testing conducted between August and December 2025 on a 3-ton residential split-system and a 5-ton packaged rooftop unit (RTU) to compare the effects of different R-410A refrigerant qualities. Results indicate that reclaimed refrigerant meeting AHRI 700 purity standards causes no measurable short-term performance penalty in capacity, efficiency, or power consumption compared to virgin refrigerant. Testing with recovered refrigerant and near-empty tanks showed similar stability, although recovered refrigerant quality is noted as inherently variable. Additionally, the RTU showed performance resilience down to 85% of nominal charge, likely due to the use of thermostatic expansion valves (TXVs).

The Reinventing Fire transportation analysis evaluates efficiency pathways for U.S. autos, heavy trucks, and airplanes through 2050. It distinguishes between 'Improved Design' (technological upgrades) and 'Improved Use' (reducing vehicle-miles traveled), while incorporating a consumer adoption model for high-efficiency vehicles and a supply-cost model for inedible biofuels. The methodology integrates these findings into an economy-wide model to calculate net present value savings, estimating a total net saving of $3,757 billion in 2009 dollars.

The document describes a framework for calculating residential utility bills by combining NREL ResStock building load data with electric and gas tariff data from Genability and RateAcuity. It details specific adjustments made to tariffs for Xcel Energy (Minnesota), Pepco (Maryland), Central Maine Power (Maine), and Eversource Energy (Massachusetts) to ensure analytical consistency. The analysis specifically models upgrades to high-efficiency cold-climate air-to-air heat pumps and evaluates the impact of 'electrification-friendly' rate designs on customer costs.

The guide outlines a structured approach for utilities to engage underserved communities in the clean energy transition, focusing on identification, inclusive participation, accessible input processes, collaborative program design, and progress tracking.

The research paper by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) challenges the perception that lighter vehicles are inherently less safe by virtually modeling an 'UltraLight' concept vehicle. Through crash simulations and comparisons with a 2007 Ford Edge, the study demonstrates that while an early-stage ultralight design may offer less protection to its own driver than a heavy vehicle, it is significantly less aggressive toward other road users. The findings suggest that a transition to a lightweight fleet could reduce overall injuries and that safety is primarily a function of design and materials rather than mass.

The report identifies a 300,000 GWh annual electricity saving potential in the U.S. industrial sector by closing the productivity gap between the lowest and highest performing states. It argues that while exogenous factors like electricity prices play a role, the primary constraints are endogenous barriers such as poor understanding of efficiency potential, fossilized design paradigms, and capital constraints. Through case studies in high technology, oil and gas, and food production, the authors demonstrate that holistic design and overcoming these barriers can significantly reduce energy use and costs. The document concludes that policymakers should provide low-cost capital and education to incentivize efficiency measures that benefit society but may be NPV neutral for individual firms.

The report argues that while the technology to double trucking efficiency already exists, adoption is hindered by a fragmented industry structure, a lack of trust in efficiency data, and regulatory constraints. It highlights that Class 7 and 8 heavy-duty trucks are the primary targets for improvement, as they account for nearly 80 percent of truck fuel consumption despite representing less than half of the total truck population. The document maps the complex stakeholder ecosystem—including OEMs, mega-fleets, and regulatory bodies like the EPA and DOE—and emphasizes that systemic improvements require collaboration across the entire value chain, from design and manufacturing to operations and infrastructure.