This paper assesses cost-effectiveness of abatement opportunities to reduce CO2 emissions in the Brazilian residential sector and proposes policies to support their implementation. Findings show that, if implemented, the energy efficiency measures in the cooking end-use and photovoltaic (PV) solar panels would represent together more than 70% of the abatement potential. Assuming the implementation of all measures, the energy consumption in 2050 would increase only 18% in relation to 2010. The total avoided emissions would be 642 MtCO(2) in Brazil over the 2010-2050 period. The implementation of the measures face barriers related to market, financial, energy costs, technological and cultural or informational issues. Besides the Brazilian Labeling Program (PBE), more aggressive standards are required. Financial barriers, especially those regarding the budget constraint, upfront cost and high interest rates in the residential sector, must be overcome. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.