More than 70 countries have a net-zero target. And according to new research from Schneider Electric, it all starts with a digital-first approach to building management — with particular focus on HVAC in commercial buildings.

The research, carried out with the global design firm WSP, is based on modeling the energy performance and carbon emissions of a large office building built in the early 2000s across various U.S. climate zones.

“The results showed that digital solutions should be prioritized first, as they are faster to implement, lower in upfront carbon, and more effective from a long-term lifecycle carbon perspective,” the company reported. “While full envelope retrofits and building systems upgrades are necessary to achieve full building decarbonization, updating an old building management system (BMS) is the most effective first step.”

Click below for a few key data points from the report — which suggest a big uptick in work for commercial HVAC contractors over the next 25 years.