When implementing a building performance standard (BPS), jurisdictions must prioritize community collaboration and ownership. A Community Accountability Board (CAB) works with policymakers and administrators to review a BPS’ impact on frontline and fenceline communities. These are communities that experience the most immediate and worst impacts of climate change and are most often communities of color, Indigenous, and low-income communities. Jurisdictions and Community-Based Organizations (CBO) can use this quick-reference guide and the full BPS Implementation Guide to help them establish an empowered and well-resourced CAB.
The Policy and Community Engagement team at IMT is committed to helping jurisdictions equitably implement BPS. Reach out to Jessica Miller, Director, Policy Strategy and Engagement, and Precious Rideout, Director, Community Engagement with questions and comments.
New Resource: Community Accountability Board Toolkit
This toolkit explores the concept of a community accountability board (CAB), scrutinizing the viability of its framework and core principles as a model for community empowerment while examining the most salient challenges to such a transition of power and governance. It focuses on CABs under a larger building performance standard (BPS)—or similar emission-reduction, energy-saving program—within a governmental framework.
