Energy Efficiency
Policymakers can encourage consumers to use energy more efficiently using local, state, or federal programs designed to incentivize or discourage certain patterns of energy use. RFF experts are examining these policies to help lawmakers better understand their effectiveness and close the existing energy efficiency gap.


Sizing Up the Energy-Efficiency Gap
Learn why more people aren't making energy-efficiency improvements.
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Resources Magazine — Feb 25, 2021
Big Decisions: The Future of US Environmental and Energy Policy
On the Resources Radio podcast, guest hosts Richard G. Newell and Susan F. Tierney talked with leading decisionmakers, analysts, researchers, and reporters about the big decisions that will impact US environmental and energy policy in the years to come.

Working Paper — Feb 17, 2021
Distributional Consequences of Climate Change Impacts on Energy Demand across Italian Households
The paper evaluates the distributional implications of climate-induced temperature changes on energy demand and energy poverty in Italy.

Resources Radio — Jan 19, 2021
Defining, Measuring, and Addressing Energy Poverty, with Tony Reames
Tony Reames describes how existing public policies don’t do enough to help households that pay a disproportionate share of income on energy costs.

Working Paper — Feb 17, 2021
Distributional Consequences of Climate Change Impacts on Energy Demand across Italian Households
The paper evaluates the distributional implications of climate-induced temperature changes on energy demand and energy poverty in Italy.

Report — Oct 29, 2020
Building Performance Standards: Lessons from Carbon Policy
This report assesses the various tradeoffs and challenges of designing building performance standards (BPS) in order to facilitate compliance and promote cost-effectiveness.

Working Paper — Sep 11, 2020
Does Energy Star Certification Reduce Energy Use in Commercial Buildings?
A new paper finds evidence that the Energy Star program is likely identifying buildings that are already energy-efficient, rather than persuading building owners to make efficiency upgrades.

RFF Live — Apr 30, 2020
Net Zero by 2070: Decarbonizing Global Industry
Assessing the range of technologies and policy interventions available to enable industrial decarbonization
Workshop/Seminar — Nov 4, 2014
Energy Efficiency in EPA's Clean Power Plan: Using Building Block #4 to Set and Meet Emissions Goals
November 4, 2014: This webinar, co-hosted by Resources for the Future and the Electric Power Research Institute, addressed aspects of the opportunities and challenges for energy efficiency under EPA’s Clean Power Plan.
Workshop/Seminar — Dec 12, 2013
Does Asymmetric Information in Residential Rental Markets Lead to an Energy Efficiency Gap?

Press Release — Apr 1, 2020
Major New Study Charts Course to Net Zero Industrial Emissions
Interdisciplinary team assesses technology and policy strategies for industrial decarbonization.

Media Highlight — Mar 27, 2017
Trump Wants to Cut Programs That Help Buildings Save Energy. This New Study Says They Work.

Media Highlight — May 4, 2016
U.S. Cities Taking Lead in Green Building

Resources Magazine — Feb 25, 2021
Big Decisions: The Future of US Environmental and Energy Policy
On the Resources Radio podcast, guest hosts Richard G. Newell and Susan F. Tierney talked with leading decisionmakers, analysts, researchers, and reporters about the big decisions that will impact US environmental and energy policy in the years to come.

Resources Radio — Jan 19, 2021
Defining, Measuring, and Addressing Energy Poverty, with Tony Reames
Tony Reames describes how existing public policies don’t do enough to help households that pay a disproportionate share of income on energy costs.

Resources Radio — May 26, 2020
Decarbonizing Global Industry, with Jeffrey Rissman
Jeffrey Rissman explores ways to decarbonize industry, contending that investment in research, technology, and policy is vital to meet climate goals.