In 2020, the Center for Global Sustainability at University of Maryland completed this policy research on building sector decarbonization, with support from Energy Foundation China.

The report summarizes a set of policy opportunities to achieve net-zero carbon/energy buildings that are potentially broadly applicable, based on building decarbonization policies in the U.S. and Europe. Through in-depth case study and interviews with policymakers and stakeholders, the report details the motivations, challenges, and strategies of developing, implementing, and enforcing such policies in two U.S. jurisdictions with ambitious net-zero building goals—Boston, Massachusetts, and the State of California.

The report also presents a set of strategies for enhancing building policies and constructing pathways to achieve net-zero building goals, which can be helpful to China, as the country strives to achieve carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060.