Between 1971 and 1992, growth in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from buildings varied widely by region, ranging from 0.9% per year in the industrialized countries to 0.7% per year in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union and 5.9% per year in developing countries, This paper outlines energy efficiency improvements for buildings and the overall technical potential to reduce CO2 emissions by cutting growth in energy consumption in buildings, Three scenarios of future buildings CO2 emissions in 2020 were developed, Under the business as usual scenario, buildings emissions increase 90% over 1990 levels. A scenario that involves adopting more efficient energy using practices and technologies is estimated to produce CO2 emissions 50% above 1990 levels, A scenario with powerful incentives for energy efficiency could lead to CO2 emissions 28% above 1990 levels, Much of the CO2 growth is the result of population growth and growth in energy services, especially in developing countries, Policy instruments to reduce energy use and related CO2 emissions include real increases in energy prices, aggressive use of energy efficiency policies, major programs to transfer knowledge, technology, and tools for transforming markets to the developing world and continued efforts to pursue research and development in technologies and practices to increase energy efficiency in buildings.