Do buildings contribute a significant share of all US greenhouse gas emissions?
According to a report by the bipartisan Environmental and Energy Study Institute, residential and commercial buildings are responsible for nearly 40% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for "direct" emissions (i.e., gas cooktops) and "indirect" emissions (i.e., the production of electricity used in buildings). Most electricity used in the U.S. still comes from fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy is also consumed in making and transporting construction materials like wood, steel and glass.
The Environmental Protection Agency attributes 12% of 2018 emissions directly to the commercial and residential sectors (and the buildings they occupy). Portions of emissions measured by the EPA from the electricity sector (27%) and the transportation sector (28%) can be factored in as indirect emissions.