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

By: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and Transportation Research Board and Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education and Division on Earth and Life Studies and Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences and Board on Environmental Change and Society and Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate and Board on Energy and Environmental Systems and Committee on Accelerating Decarbonization in the United States: Technology, Policy, and Societal Dimensions

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Synopsis: 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.