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.

Table of Contents

Front Matter Executive Summary Summary 1 Introduction 2 Energy Justice and Equity 3 Public Health Co-Benefits and Impacts of Decarbonization 4 Workforce Needs, Opportunities, and Support 5 Public Engagement to Build a Strong Social Contract for Deep Decarbonization 6 The Essential Role of Clean Electricity 7 The Built Environment 8 Land Use 9 Transport 10 Industrial Decarbonization 11 Aligning the Financial Sector and Capital Markets with the Energy Transition 12 The Future of Fossil Fuels 13 Enhancing and Realizing the Climate Ambitions and Capacities of Subnational Actors: State and Local Government Perspectives Appendixes Appendix A: Committee Member Biographical Information Appendix B: Disclosure of Unavoidable Conflicts of Interest Appendix C: First Report Policy Recommendations Appendix D: Public Meetings Appendix E: Decarbonization Technologies and Related Equity and Justice Concerns Appendix F: Equity and Justice Scorecard: Inflation Reduction Act Provisions Appendix G: Disadvantaged Community as Defined by Implementers of Justice40 Covered Programs Appendix H: Public Health Provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act Appendix I: Public Engagement Scorecard: Current Federal Policy Portfolio Appendix J: Select Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act Provisions Implicating Subnational Entities Appendix K: Acronyms and Abbreviations