A report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy says that energy efficiency can cut U.S. energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050.

The report identifies what ACEEE says are “ambitious but cost-effective and technically possible measures” that would avoid emissions of nearly 2,500 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, equal to all emissions from cars, trucks, homes, and commercial buildings in 2050.

The report identifies 11 opportunities and related policies to achieve the savings. Transportation, which would undergo a transition to electric vehicles, would deliver nearly half (46%) of the emissions reductions. Buildings would deliver a third and industry a fifth. Turning to energy savings, buildings would deliver 40% of the proposed total, followed by transportation (32%) and industry (27%).

The major opportunities include:

Transportation. A “significant shift” to electric cars and trucks and continued fuel economy gains under new standards could approximately halve vehicle carbon emissions, the report said. Also reducing emissions would include less driving in cars and light trucks, improved freight system efficiency and more-efficient airplanes.

For example, Amazon in late September said it placed an order for 100,000 electric delivery vans from Michigan-based startup Rivian. The first vans could be in service in 2021, with prototypes arriving perhaps as soon as 2020. The full deployment is expected by 2024.

Buildings. New homes and commercial buildings could cut their emissions by 70% with efficient design and use of cleaner electricity. Existing homes and buildings cut emissions with energy-efficient upgrades, smart control technologies and electrification of heating and cooling. Adding to total emissions cuts are updated efficiency standards for appliances and equipment and growth in the ENERGY STAR program.

San Jose, Calif., acted in September to ban natural gas use in new residential buildings beginning in 2020, a move seen as helping to reduce emissions and boost energy efficiency.

Industry. The industrial sector could deliver emissions cuts with strategic energy management, smart manufacturing, industrial process improvements (including electrification strategies), changes in feedstocks and new process technologies and materials.

The report calls for scaling up energy efficiency measures, including:

Upgrades to vehicle standards, building energy codes, equipment efficiency standards, ENERGY STAR specifications, and state energy-savings targets. The goal seemingly moves against recent statements from the Trump administration, which would seek to roll back efficiency standards for electric light bulbs and also challenge vehicle mileage standards adopted by California as well as several other states.

Improvements to existing factories, homes, commercial buildings and the electric grid and better management of energy use in all of them, spurred by government investment and requirements.

More travel options and better management of freight and aviation energy use, including through user fees.

A switch to electric vehicles, equipment and industrial processes (along with a more efficient and cleaner power sector).

Greater investment in research and development for new efficiency options in every sector, especially improved industrial processes.

A copy of the report may be downloaded here.