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Building energy performance standards: impacts on building energy efficiency and GHG emissions in Washington, DC

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  • Gbadegesin, Tosin Kolajo

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of Washington, DC's Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) on building energy efficiency and GHG emissions using a continuous DiD framework. Leveraging panel data on large public and private buildings from 2012 to 2023, the analysis exploits variation in treatment intensity measured by each building's pre-policy compliance gap relative to BEPS thresholds. Results show that a one-unit increase in the compliance gap reduces Site EUI by 0.33 kBtu/ft2 and Source EUI by 0.45 kBtu/ft2, increases Energy Star scores by 0.41 points, and lowers total GHG emissions by 0.35 metric tons of CO₂e and emissions intensity by 0.65 kgCO₂e/ft2. Event-study evidence confirms parallel trends and shows that effects intensify after the first binding compliance cycle in 2021. The findings indicate that BEPS delivers meaningful efficiency gains and emissions reductions, driven primarily by baseline noncompliance rather than building ownership status.

Suggested Citation

  • Gbadegesin, Tosin Kolajo, 2026. "Building energy performance standards: impacts on building energy efficiency and GHG emissions in Washington, DC," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 416(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:416:y:2026:i:c:s0306261926006392
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2026.127987
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