Decarbonizing existing buildings is challenging but necessary to achieve climate goals. To accelerate progress, we need to make energy retrofits more accessible, affordable, and commonplace. A viable market for decarbonization and a streamlined retrofitting process can help make these efforts more equitable and cost-effective today.

The majority of US buildings that will exist in 2050 are already standing. Reducing climate pollution from leaky and inefficient existing buildings that run on fossil fuels is fundamental to any climate strategy. Yet the typical retrofitting process depends heavily on owners and is fraught with uncertainty. Conflicting guidance, high costs, fragmented financing, and administrative burdens are all significant hurdles that owners and service providers face impeding the widespread adoption of retrofitting solutions. There is an urgency to develop a robust market for building decarbonization to meet climate targets. Efforts to induce and support this shift should be focused on scalable solutions, favorable policies, and programmatic systems.

In recent years, RMI has focused on accelerating deep energy retrofits for affordable housing across Massachusetts to catalyze the growth of a viable regional market for building decarbonization by facilitating key “lighthouse projects.” These projects serve as exemplary models for eliminating on-site fossil fuels, maximizing efficiencies, reducing emissions, and enhancing comfort and health for low- and middle-income residents. This report outlines our progress in Massachusetts to date, synthesizing observations of the current market, including enabling factors for decarbonization such as extensive stakeholder engagement and knowledge-sharing platforms. We identify common challenges including difficulties with decarbonization assessments, financial barriers, and administrative burdens.

As a result of these direct project engagements, the report also distills lessons learned into suggested paradigm shifts to scale building decarbonization, such as adopting holistic building design approaches and integrating standardized frameworks. RMI proposes foundational and strategic actions to reinforce a landscape conducive to building retrofits that benefit low-income households and preserve a livable climate for future generations. By developing, refining, and sharing best practices, processes, and strategies across the industry, stakeholders can stimulate a thriving market for building decarbonization and drive progress toward a low-carbon future.