Greenhouse gas emissions mitigation potential in the commercial and institutional sector

•Commercial sector GHG mitigation potential and abatement curves were assessed.•A model developed in LEAP included energy efficiency improvement scenarios.•High-level wall insulation in buildings showed high GHG abatement potential.•Average GHG mitigation of 2–3Mt/yr is achievable by 2030 in the commercial sector.•The framework will help planners in other regions to develop low energy programs. This study was conducted to identify energy efficiency improvement options and assess these opportunities in terms of potential of energy savings and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation for the commercial and institutional sector. In addition, associated GHG abatement cost (GHGAC) curves were developed. A western Canadian province, Alberta, was selected for a case study. A model was developed in the Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning system (LEAP) with 23 energy efficiency improvement scenarios associated with space heating and cooling, lighting, auxiliary equipment, and water heating in the commercial and institutional sector. The scenarios analyzed in this study quantified the reduced demand in energy use and GHG emissions as well as the abatement costs for fast (2013–2030) and slow (2013–2050) penetration periods. Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) and efficient boilers for space heating, efficient lighting, and high-insulation in building envelopes are identified as having significant potential for GHG mitigation and have low abatement costs. A cumulative GHG mitigation of 28Mt and 55Mt is achievable in the fast and slow penetration scenarios in the sector, respectively.