This House would require new buildings to be carbon-neutral by 2030.

env

New York, California, and the EU have layered versions of this rule. Construction-cost data shows real impact on housing supply; emission data shows real impact on building-sector carbon. Both effects are large.

Background

Buildings account for roughly 40% of global energy-related emissions per the IEA. New York City's Local Law 97, effective 2024, phases in emission caps with steep penalties for non-compliance. California Title 24 requires solar on most new construction. The EU's Energy Performance of Buildings Directive mandates zero-emission new construction by 2030. The cost data is contested: industry estimates 15-30% construction-cost premium; UC Berkeley CLEE finds 5-8% with payback within 7 years through energy savings. Both figures land in the middle of a housing-affordability crisis.

Government opens with

Building stock locks in emissions for 60 years; new construction is the cheapest place to decarbonize.

Opposition responds with

A mandate during a housing crisis adds 10-20 percent to construction costs and worsens the supply problem.

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This week's motions

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Thursday, May 21, 2026

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Monday, May 25, 2026

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Tuesday, May 26, 2026

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