At a time when green energy is facing decreased federal investment, a new road map from Climate Mayors and Veolia North America aims to help cities cut carbon emissions while reducing costs, according to a July 2025 article in Utility Dive.

“Building A Cleaner Future: A Guide for Local Government Action on Building Decarbonization” was created by Climate Mayors, a bipartisan network of nearly 350 mayors demonstrating climate leadership, and Veolia North America, which specializes in management and monitoring of water quality from collection to return to the environment, including reuse of water for cities and industries.

Buildings are the main driver of greenhouse gas emissions in many cities, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Office buildings are major greenhouse gas emitters, with high electricity consumption for lighting, heating and cooling.

While LEED certification has been the sustainability standard for 25 years, the U.S. commercial and residential building sector combined were responsible for 31% of total greenhouse gas emissions for the country in 2022, according to the EPA. Globally, buildings and the construction sector are responsible for 39% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, according to a 2019 report from the World Green Building Council (WGBC).

Building decarbonization can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by increasing energy efficiency and shifting from fossil fuels to electrification and renewable energy sources for building operations like heating, cooling and electricity, WGBC said.

Mayors and city officials can use the road map to set goals aligned with the Paris Agreement and state climate targets. It also includes information on securing funding for decarbonizing and other sustainability projects, building partnerships, creating policies and incentives, conducting an energy audit and developing a green workforce.

The goal is to help cities bridge the gap in federal funding with self-funding, tax-based funding, grants, incentives, public-private partnerships and green bonds, according to Utility Dive. The Trump administration has eliminated federal tax incentives for solar and wind projects, cut funding for industrial heat pump and efficient boiler programs, reversed energy efficiency standards for appliances and building codes and accelerated approval for fossil fuel electric plants.

The road map includes examples of decarbonization efforts cities across the country are taking.