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Decarbonization Planning Guide

The Field Guide to Decarbonization Planning: Strategies for Net Zero in the Built Environment

Reducing emissions from buildings and facilities requires a practical roadmap. Designed for facility owners, sustainability leaders, energy managers, and building operators, this guide shows how to establish a greenhouse gas emissions baseline, evaluate decarbonization pathways, and develop a phased strategy to achieve net zero goals.

Learn how energy efficiency, electrification, renewable energy, and low-carbon thermal solutions can reduce building emissions and inform long-term investment decisions.
Screenshot of the cover of The Field Guide to Decarbonization Planning Strategies to net zero for the built environment Presented by Ameresco
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Whats inside

What's inside this guide...

How to establish a greenhouse gas inventory and emissions baseline using Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.
How energy efficiency measures – such as HVAC, controls, and lighting – can reduce building energy use and emissions.
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How electrification and low-carbon thermal energy solutions can support building decarbonization goals.
How renewable solar solutions like solar and BESS can contribute to long-term emissions reduction.
How to build a decarbonization roadmap using assessments, scenario modeling, and phased implementation.
How to adapt decarbonization strategies as technologies, policies, and funding opportunities evolve.

Building decarbonization is the process of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from building operations through energy efficiency, electrification, renewable energy, and performance optimization.

Decarbonization planning is the process of creating a roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across buildings and facilities through phased emissions reduction strategies.

A greenhouse gas inventory establishes an emissions baseline, helping organizations measure progress, understand Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, and prioritize carbon reduction opportunities.

Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from sources an organization owns or controls, such as boilers, furnaces, generators, and fleet vehicles. Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions associated with purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling.

Primary building decarbonization strategies include energy efficiency improvements, thermal energy transitions, electrification, renewable electricity, and long-term emissions reduction planning.

Building electrification can reduce emissions by replacing fossil fuel-based equipment with electric technologies that can be powered by increasingly clean electricity sources.

Organizations develop a decarbonization roadmap by establishing a baseline, conducting building assessments, evaluating scenarios, prioritizing investments, and implementing phased actions over time.

Renewable energy helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and supports net zero goals through solutions such as solar energy, battery energy storage, geothermal systems, and other renewable electricity strategies.

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