Goals Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. All new residential buildings meet zero-‐net-‐energy (ZNE) goals by 2020, all new commercial buildings by 2030. Why it is Important Combustion of fossil fuels to power vehicles and buildings is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state. Energy use in residential and commercial buildings and the industrial sector is the second largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in California. California has significantly reduced building energy demand through a series of progressive appliance and building standards that promote energy efficiency. These standards, combined with the state's mild climate, mean that California has among the lowest per capita electricity consumption rates of any state in the nation. In 2011, California had the fifth lowest per capita energy demand of any state. 1 Recent Trends Energy consumption occurs in all sectors of state's economy. In California, the transportation sector accounts for the highest share of the state's energy consumption. This demand is met, primarily, through the combustion of fossil fuels to power passenger cars and trucks. Consumption in the industrial, commercial, and industrial sectors is primarily accounted for by electricity and natural gas consumption. 1 Electricity use per capita in California is well below the national average 2 , owing to the state's appliance and building energy efficiency standards and mild climate. Even as the state's population has continued to grow, per capita electricity use has remained steady, while the national average has increased slightly. When comparing per capita energy consumption by sector, it is clear that California's energy efficiency efforts have been most successful in the building sector.