Provide tax incentives or credits for installation of climate - friendly technologies

Adopt fiscal or regulatory policy incentives that encourage continuous improvement of codes and standards for buildings and appliances.

Governments should consider offering temporary and targeted tax credits or incentives for new residential construction that exceeds building code energy-efficiency standards by at least 50 percent, and for retrofits of existing residential buildings that significantly improve building code energy-efficiency standards. Eligibility for these incentives or credits should include appropriate verification of the improvements against recognized benchmarks.

Amplify government procurement practices to achieve greater use of energy-efficient materials and technologies in buildings.

Build on existing efforts in local, state, and federal governments to promote energy efficiency by establishing goals for greenhouse gas emissions reductions from government - owned buildings and implement a plan to meet them.

Build on existing awards, recognition, and assistance programs such as EnergyStar and Rebuild America to recognize leadership in achieving energy efficiency in buildings.

Develop methods that allow industry and entrepreneurial consumers to aggregate greenhouse gas emissions reductions from the manufacture or use of more efficient appliances, and ensure that appropriate protocols to verify and quantify those reductions are available to facilitate participation in emissions trading.

Develop methods to account for greenhouse gas emissions reductions if builders choose to construct homes that are more efficient than local standards. The methods should include appropriate protocols to verify and quantify those reductions against a credible benchmark.

Provide information to consumers, builders, architects, developers, materials producers, and others on the cost savings and climate benefits of energy efficiency and conservation.

In partnership with the private sector, government research should improve scientific understanding and practical applications for the use of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies in buildings.