Washington, D.C. - Investing in the energy efficiency of buildings represents a powerful and strategic energy and climate solution that combined with other non-transportation initiatives could reduce the nation's energy consumption by 23 percent by 2020, save the U.S. economy $1.2 trillion, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1.1 gigatons annually, according to a study released today by McKinsey & Company.

"This confirms a critical path forward that we have long championed. Harnessing the engine of green, energy efficient buildings can cost-effectively drive tremendous improvements in our economy and environment," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO and Founding Chairman of USGBC.  "Green building can stimulate the economy at a level one and a half times larger than the federal stimulus bill.  In terms of climate change, a commitment to energy efficiency would be the equivalent to taking the entire U.S. fleet of passenger cars and light trucks - more than 200 million vehicles - off the road."

The report provides a detailed assessment of how much the nation can increase energy efficiency in buildings and other non-transportation sectors using existing methods and technologies. A targeted investment of $50 billion a year over 10 years, the report finds, would enable the entirety of those potential savings to be realized. Those reductions in energy use would save the U.S. economy $1.2 trillion, a return on investment of more than two to one. Furthermore, those investments would generate 900,000 jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1.1 gigatons, according to the report, "Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Economy," which was sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council and 11 other organizations from the government, non-governmental, and private sectors.

McKinsey's research finds that a comprehensive strategy, executed at scale, could reduce the annual non-transportation end-use energy consumption analyzed in this report from 36.9 quadrillion BTUs in 2008 to 30.8 quadrillion BTUs in 2020 - saving 9.1 quadrillion BTUs relative to a business-as-usual baseline.

 "Increasing our nation's energy efficiency is an economic, environmental and national security imperative that requires bold public policy," Fedrizzi said. "As Congress debates climate change legislation, these findings make an overwhelming case that we must dramatically strengthen provisions that support and scale green building."