Our Research Philosophy
BDC tracks and analyzes policies, trends, and data to accelerate the building decarbonization movement. We synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to produce rigorously researched, substantively contextualized, equitably cited, and endlessly shareable resources that move our movement forward.
We believe that research only becomes knowledge when it’s shared, so please share these resources with your communities to help us equitably decarbonize our buildings and neighborhoods.
Our Research Philosophy
BDC tracks and analyzes policies, trends, and data to accelerate the building decarbonization movement. We synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to produce rigorously researched, substantively contextualized, equitably cited, and endlessly shareable resources that move our movement forward.
We believe that research only becomes knowledge when it’s shared, so please share these resources with your communities to help us equitably decarbonize our buildings and neighborhoods.
The Latest
The Q1 | 2025 issue of our quarterly research blog, Momentum, covers the resilience and durability of electric equipment sales; proposed building decarbonization legislation across the U.S.; updates on regulatory proceedings covering pipeline acceleration programs, equipment standards, and long-term gas planning; and highlights from neighborhood-scale decarbonization projects.
The Q1 | 2025 issue of our quarterly research blog, Momentum, covers the resilience and durability of electric equipment sales; proposed building decarbonization legislation across the U.S.; updates on regulatory proceedings covering pipeline acceleration programs, equipment standards, and long-term gas planning; and highlights from neighborhood-scale decarbonization projects.
Focus Areas
Neighborhood Scale
Our strategy for scaling up building decarbonization, block by block
Neighborhood-scale building decarbonization transitions entire communities to clean energy infrastructure in order to accelerate a managed transition off of the methane gas system. There are two primary pathways for achieving this synchronized and scaled-up transition: the electric network and thermal energy networks.
OVERVIEW
What is Neighborhood Scale?
RESEARCH
Project Maps
Whitepaper
POLICIES
Legislation
Recommendations
Future of Gas
How to enable an equitable, managed transition off the methane gas system
Since 2020, Future of Gas regulatory proceedings and reports have led to key insights on the inequitable distribution of methane pollution, the risks of business-as-usual gas system growth, and the urgency of reforming outdated policies. These findings illustrate why we need a managed, neighborhood-scale transition off the gas system.
Future of Heat
Empowering communities, supporting the workforce, and achieving our climate goals through clean energy infrastructure
The future of heat represents the solutions side of the managed gas transition: the infrastructure, technologies, policies, and programs that we can build up while we wind down the methane gas system. Synchronizing this transition will help achieve a thoughtful, equitable pathway for workers, utilities, ratepayers, and communities.
OVERVIEW
Thermal Energy Networks
RESEARCH
Thermal Utilities
AC-to-Heat Pump Policies
Building Decarbonization Meets Water Conservation
POLICIES
Legislation
Market Momentum
Analyzing data to demonstrate the durability of decarbonization
We take a systems-level approach to the disparate data landscape to understand how market forces shape and are shaped by policies, people, and programs. We analyze heat pump and clean energy market trends; we track rates, costs, and investments; and we map codes, projects, and policies across the U.S.
Further Reading
Our recent reports, research, and webinars
Thermal Energy Networks (TENs) Legislative Guidebook
New Mexico Building Decarbonization Roadmap
Neighborhood-Scale Building Decarbonization Map