San Francisco Climate Action Plan2026 plan · progress dashboard

Taking action across sectors · 2 of 7

Building Operations

Buildings are San Francisco's second-largest source of climate pollution and the Bay Area's largest source of harmful air pollution.

Transitioning the energy used in buildings from fossil fuels to clean electricity improves public health, lowers long-term energy cost, creates local jobs, increases safety and resilience, and cuts greenhouse gas emissions.

Plan chapter begins on page 44 of the published PDF.

Goals

  1. By 2030By 2030, reduce building emissions by 20% (from 2020) by decarbonizing the equivalent of 18,000 buildings.
  2. By 2040By 2040, all buildings will be zero-emission.

Accomplishments so far

Buildings emissions in the inventory

1.65M mtCO₂e in 2024, 63% below 1990 (4.48M).
19904.48M20004.24M20053.74M20103.43M20123.05M20152.64M20162.40M20172.16M20182.17M20191.89M20201.78M20221.81M20241.65M
Data table
YearmtCO₂evs 1990
19904,478,623—
20004,244,719-5%
20053,742,439-16%
20103,428,860-23%
20123,046,377-32%
20152,643,180-41%
20162,402,805-46%
20172,158,198-52%
20182,170,563-52%
20191,885,215-58%
20201,784,400-60%
20221,805,312-60%
20241,653,903-63%

The plan's emission model expects this sector's actions, together with state and regional policy, to cut buildings emissions 68% below 1990 by 2030 and 93% by 2040 (Appendix D, Table 6).

Strategies and actions

4 strategies, 23 actions. Departments listed on an action lead its implementation.

Strategy 2 · 17 actions · 2 indicators

Eliminate the use of fossil fuels in existing buildings.

Policies & Permitting

  1. 2-1

    By 2027, explore and advance, in coordination with regional and state entities, a building performance policy requiring large buildings to achieve zero-operational GHG emissions by 2040 at the latest. SFE

    By 2027

  2. 2-2

    In 2026, align local permitting and communications to reinforce Bay Area Air District and California Air Resources Board zero-emissions appliance regulations. SFE, DBI

    By 2026

  3. 2-3

    By 2027, update the Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance (RECO) to modernize efficiency requirements, incorporate building decarbonization at time of sale, and align property transactions with the City's climate and public health goals. SFE, DBI

    By 2027

  4. 2-4

    By 2027, allow single-family residential heat pump water heaters and heat pump HVAC systems to be installed with a single, low-cost, instant permit and streamlined inspection. SFE, DBI

    By 2027

Engagement & Support

  1. 2-5

    By 2027, launch a citywide electrification campaign to communicate the benefits of electrification to renters and property owners, increase awareness of zero-NOx regulations, and share financial and technical tools and resources, particularly among low-income residents. SFE

    By 2027

  2. 2-6

    By 2027, expand the online Climate Equity Hub to include a physical location where residents receive assistance and resources for decarbonizing their homes. SFE

    By 2027

  3. 2-7

    By 2027, expand city notification processes to engage renters about the benefits of electrification and share existing tenant protections from “renovictions” and cost pass-throughs. DBI, RENT BOARD, SFE, SFPUC

    By 2027

  4. 2-8

    By 2026, expand electrification bill credits program to support broad heat pump adoption and electrification with additional funds provided for low-income customers on CARE/FERA. SFPUC

    By 2026

  5. 2-9

    By 2028, provide technical assistance to equity-priority multifamily and commercial building decision makers to support compliance with local, regional, and state policies and regulations. SFE

    By 2028

  6. 2-10

    By 2027, assist deed-restricted affordable housing sponsors in decarbonizing their building stocks through portfolio-level planning assistance, technical resources, and identification of financial support. SFE, MOHCD

    By 2027

  7. 2-11

    SFPUC's All-Electric Multifamily program will expand capacity to provide 20 free building-level electrification roadmaps per year for multifamily affordable housing served by Hetch Hetchy Power or CleanPowerSF. SFPUC

    No date set

Tracking & Reporting

  1. 2-12

    Track and publicly report progress toward goals on building electrification in private and public buildings. SFE

    No date set

  2. 2-13

    By 2027, notify property buyers of Bay Area Air District Zero-NOx Emission Standards and begin recording and disclosing the age of gas-fired equipment for each property at time of sale. SFE, ASR

    By 2027

  3. 2-14

    By 2027, complete municipal department decarbonization plans and monitor progress toward full 2040 decarbonization via ongoing updates to the natural gas equipment and greenhouse gas inventories. SFE

    By 2027

  4. 2-15

    Ensure the City's Capital Plan is continuously updated to reflect the need to replace gas-fueled equipment, in alignment with the City's 2040 net-zero goal. ORCP

    Ongoing

Infrastructure

  1. 2-16

    In 2026, SFO will submit for environmental review an all-electric Central Utility Plant plan that will serve the airport's terminal buildings. SFO will target design in 2030 and operation by 2033. SFO

    By 2026

  2. 2-17

    By 2027, apply for San Francisco to receive assistance as a pilot zonal decarbonization project under Senate Bill 1221. SFPUC, SFE

    By 2027

Racial and Social Equity ReviewWhat the equity review said about this strategy

Equity impacts

EJ communities face greater economic barriers in the transition to decarbonized existing buildings and need a tailored suite of solutions. Low-income homeowners may be unable to afford system upgrades and face greater economic burdens to support this strategy. Slower adoption of decarbonized systems in existing buildings, due to these barriers, will prolong exposure to poor indoor air quality—a known cause of respiratory illnesses— and deprives them from the resiliency benefits as well. Decarbonizing existing buildings could also greatly impact the affordability of housing, potentially leading to displacement without careful mitigation measures.

Recommendations

  • EJ communities need a tailored approach to overcome the financial barriers in the transition, and it would be beneficial to monitor the implementation of building decarbonization projects to ensure the benefits of the program are first felt in EJ communities whenever possible.
  • Explore entrepreneurial opportunities that exist in the transition to decarbonize existing buildings for EJ communities, to potentially mitigate some of the financial burden on EJ communities.
  • Target trainings to EJ communities that demonstrate methods to install HPWHs (heat pump water heaters), creating entrepreneurial opportunities.
  • Prioritize action BO 2-5 to focus on EJ communities and launch financial support programs for low-income households.
  • Continue outreach and education on building decarbonization in partnership with CBOs (community-based organizations) to share culturally relevant information to promote and facilitate decarbonization.

Suggested edit to the draft

Suggest adding the following as action: "Increase outreach to EJ communities about the benefits of electrification and existing tenant rights and protections available to them using various methods, including use of the existing city notification processes, establishing decarbonization projects as a trigger for tenant engagement."

Adopted in the final plan. Became action BO-2-7 (expand city notification processes to engage renters about electrification benefits and tenant protections).

Source: 2026 Climate Action Plan, Appendix C. Adoption status is our reading of the final text, pending SFE confirmation.

Strategy 3 · 3 actions

Equitably expand the building decarbonization workforce with targeted support for contractors and workers from environmental justice communities.

No indicator yet for this strategy. See how progress is measured.

  1. 3-1

    By 2027, explore the development of a green workforce strategy and funding opportunities to integrate green career pathways into pre-apprenticeship and other workforce training programs, with a focus on ensuring that workers—especially those from disadvantaged communities—are trained, reskilled, and certified to participate in the green economy. OEWD, SFE

    By 2027

  2. 3-2

    By 2026, engage contractors and manufacturers to develop and scale electrification training programs that upskill workers, with a focus on enabling local, small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses to participate in the green transition. SFE, BayREN

    By 2026

  3. 3-3

    By 2028, scale SF Environment's heat pump direct install program to include additional equipment and serve 1,000 households each year while creating high-quality jobs for employed workers. SFE

    By 2028

Racial and Social Equity ReviewWhat the equity review said about this strategy

Equity impacts

Specific actions and measures are necessary to ensure EJ communities can access trainings and benefits of a decarbonization workforce. Access to information and knowledge sharing can be limited, but integral to ensuring that EJ communities can take advantage of the opportunities of building decarbonization jobs.

Recommendations

  • The focus should be primarily in EJ communities. Early outreach and education, as well as workforce development, are important to ensure communities are prepared with the skills to capitalize on the decarbonization transition.
  • Continue taking actions to advance equity such as ensuring engagement is targeted to EJ communities and empowering them to benefit from building decarbonization.
  • The CEH (Climate Hub) Direct Install program could support coordinating local EJ contractors to cover their respective regions in the city, reducing commute times and costs on cross-city jobs, and strengthening community ties.

Suggested edit to the draft

Suggest modifying the strategy as follows: "Expand the building decarbonization workforce with targeted support for contractors and workers from EJ communities."

Adopted in the final plan. Final Strategy BO-3 reads "Equitably expand the building decarbonization workforce with targeted support for contractors and workers from environmental justice communities."

Source: 2026 Climate Action Plan, Appendix C. Adoption status is our reading of the final text, pending SFE confirmation.

Strategy 4 · 2 actions

Transition to low-global-warming-potential refrigerants

No indicator yet for this strategy. See how progress is measured.

  1. 4-1

    By 2026, launch a new refrigerant replacement program that offers incentives to help smaller businesses transition to lower-global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerants, repair refrigerant leaks, and optimize refrigeration systems. SFE

    By 2026

  2. 4-2

    By 2027, complete an inventory of municipal refrigerant use to ensure all city departments comply with new federal and state requirements for low-GWP refrigerants. SFE

    By 2027

Racial and Social Equity ReviewWhat the equity review said about this strategy

Equity impacts

Small businesses in EJ communities may not have the resources to engage with the city on their needs in the transition to lower GWP refrigerants. Access to newer technologies can be hard for EJ communities, and they may have less access to information regarding the benefits and proper use of low-GWP refrigerants. Support for small and medium businesses in EJ communities is important to reduce operational burdens, increase access to safer and healthier work environments, and to make the benefits of low-GWP refrigerants more attainable.

Recommendations

  • Targeted outreach is important in EJ communities. Inlanguage education and training will be necessary to ensure safe use of newer low-GWP refrigerants. Low-GWP refrigerants have hazards associated with improper use, making training crucial.
  • Municipal facilities located in EJ communities should be prioritized.
  • Special consideration and support should be offered to stabilize food sector businesses that already have small margins or exist in EJ communities and other food deserts.
  • Also, clarify the definition of legacy businesses to help ensure that those who meet program criteria and could use extra support can participate in the program.
  • Track voluntary demographics from outreach and program participation to also provide insight for equity metrics.
  • Increasing access to the incentive program, prioritizing small and medium businesses in EJ communities, will help businesses still suffering financially from the pandemic.

Suggested edit to the draft

Suggest adding the following as actions: "Develop future RFPs (requests for proposals) for the municipal inventory (and any subsequent RFPs for work to transition to low-GWP refrigerants) opportunities or points to support workforce development and encourage diversification of contractors/SBEs (small business enterprises)." "Track demographic data in metrics tracking to ensure equitable program implementation as much as possible."

Partly reflected in the final plan. BO-4-1 targets smaller businesses; the RFP and demographic-tracking actions do not appear verbatim.

Source: 2026 Climate Action Plan, Appendix C. Adoption status is our reading of the final text, pending SFE confirmation.