Accelerating Decarbonization in the United States : Technology, Policy, and Societal Dimensions

Addressing climate change is essential and possible, and it offers a host of benefits - from better public health to new economic opportunities. The United States has a historic opportunity to lead the way in decarbonization by transforming its current energy system to one with net-zero emissions of carbon dioxide. Recent legislation has set the nation on the path to reach its goal of net zero by 2050 in order to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. However, even if implemented as designed, current policy will get the United States only part of the way to its net-zero goal. Accelerating Decarbonization in the United States provides a comprehensive set of actionable recommendations to help policymakers achieve a just and equitable energy transition over the next decade and beyond, including policy, technology, and societal dimensions. This report addresses federal and subnational policy needs to overcome implementation barriers and gaps with a focus on energy justice, workforce development, public health, and public engagement. The report also presents a suite of recommendations for the electricity, transportation, built environment, industrial, fossil fuels, land use, and finance sectors. Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive SummarySummary1 Introduction2 Energy Justice and Equity3 Public Health Co-Benefits and Impacts of Decarbonization4 Workforce Needs, Opportunities, and Support5 Public Engagement to Build a Strong Social Contract for Deep Decarbonization6 The Essential Role of Clean Electricity7 The Built Environment8 Land Use9 Transport10 Industrial Decarbonization11 Aligning the Financial Sector and Capital Markets with the Energy Transition12 The Future of Fossil Fuels13 Enhancing and Realizing the Climate Ambitions and Capacities of Subnational Actors: State and Local Government PerspectivesAppendixesAppendix A: Committee Member Biographical InformationAppendix B: Disclosure of Unavoidable Conflicts of InterestAppendix C: First Report Policy RecommendationsAppendix D: Public MeetingsAppendix E: Decarbonization Technologies and Related Equity and Justice ConcernsAppendix F: Equity and Justice Scorecard: Inflation Reduction Act ProvisionsAppendix G: Disadvantaged Community as Defined by Implementers of Justice40 Covered ProgramsAppendix H: Public Health Provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction ActAppendix I: Public Engagement Scorecard: Current Federal Policy PortfolioAppendix J: Select Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act Provisions Implicating Subnational EntitiesAppendix K: Acronyms and Abbreviations