Why do buildings matter to climate justice?
We spend 90% of our lives indoors.
Life happens inside of buildings. From work to rest, our health
and productivity depend on built environments.
Extreme weather harms our health.
Severe heat could lead to lost work hours and 11% more deaths for low-income residents.Energy expenses are not equal.
Energy expenses are not equal.
People of color pay 20–45% more on energy bills, better buildings provide an opportunity to stop and correct systemic inequities.
Designing and implementing building policies alongside
LOCAL COMMUNITIES
A building performance standard (BPS) policy is a set of standards designed to reduce carbon emissions in buildings by improving energy, gas and water use, and peak demand, consequently reducing their cost.
These standards become stricter over time, driving continuous, long-term improvement of buildings.
Communities should be part of the development of these and other building-related policies, since they’re the first to feel the impacts of climate change.
IMT’s Community Engagement team provides communities with the tools and personalized assistance to ensure that residents are actively participating in the decisions that affect them the most.
We have found that IMT operationalizes the values in their community engagement framework well. They are always available to answer questions and discuss strategy.
People for Community Recovery (PCR),
Chicago, IL
Explore how buildings impact health, affordability, and climate,
and how we can make them work for everyone.
Check out our Equitable Decarbonization Learning Series with explainers for important topics around decarbonization, including why buildings matter and how they can impact and benefit our communities.
Amid political volatility and deepening distrust in institutions, states and cities face rising urgency to implement equitable climate policies. The role of community-rooted engagement is essential for durable, effective, and just climate action.
Why Choose Us
We offer specialized tools, trainings, and frameworks to:
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Facilitate conversations by designing processes that honor community expertise
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Shift and share power to scale solutions that place buildings at the center of an equitable, climate-resilient future
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Translate complex technical processes into community participation in policymaking
Our Services
Tap any service to learn more.
We transform complex technical language, policy documents, and program requirements into accessible formats for community-based organizations and the communities they serve. We solicit resident feedback in coordination with these organizations to ensure materials resonate.
Scope
- Develop or adapt resources such as plain-language guides, infographics, and recorded webinars for a community audience
- Facilitate community and government conversations to foster common understanding of technical concepts and their on-the-ground impacts
We design and lead interactive, culturally responsive workshops that build shared understanding between organizations, community-based organizations, and residents. Workshops cover topics like building decarbonization, energy efficiency, policy basics, and how to apply IMT’s Community Engagement Framework.
Scope
- Lead educational workshops to build long-term local facilitation capacity
- Offer coaching on how to facilitate comprehensive, person-centered facilitation to meet community learning and discussion needs
We map the ecosystem of stakeholders—government agencies, community connectors, informal leaders, and trusted institutions—to inform strategic engagement. This service helps identify not just who to engage, but how and why—crucial for governments, funders, and other partners seeking authentic collaborations over transactional input.
Scope
- Assess equity impacts regarding how new policy initiatives will change peoples’ day-to-day lives
- Share equity-focused recommendations on how to sequence engagement to collect and analyze a wide variety of community perspectives
We support the creation and operation of Community Accountability Boards (CABs) that are legally enforceable and community-led. CABs are one of several mechanisms by which frontline communities and residents can have ownership over the funds generated by a building performance standards policy. We work to ensure CABs reflect local demographics, operate transparently, and can truly shape decisions.
Scope
- Provide model law language to codify a CAB, including role clarification between CAB and government leaders
- Evaluate CAB impact and governance transitions, then suggest best practices
- Thought partnership on how to develop and implement other co-governance models
We guide jurisdictions in applying IMT’s Community Engagement Framework—or other equity-first models—to their policies, programs, or internal operations. By pursuing this model, organizations can unlock creative and effective solutions by incorporating frontline community expertise.
Scope
- Teach our CE Framework and offer coaching on how to apply it to your work
- Provide guidance on how to develop and integrate other equitable frameworks and co-governance bodies (e.g., CAB, steering committee) into project timelines and decision points
We design and facilitate cohorts of peer jurisdictions, community-based organizations, or mixed networks to build shared learning and field-wide coordination. Each cohort is designed with mutual exchange in mind—not top-down teaching. Topics may include community-centered policy design, anti-displacement strategies, or equity in decarbonization.
Scope
- Share case studies of organizations who successfully facilitated peer learning cohorts
- Lead strategy sessions to advance shared understanding of challenges and collectively explore solutions
- Offer educational modules specific to the local context and ecosystem
Resources to help you lead
Whether you are a community advocate, policymaker, or avid learner, you’ll find accessible tools in our resource collection to inform and support your work.
Explore tools, guides, and insights to take action on climate advocacy and equitable solutions.
Let’s Talk!
Ready to explore how we can support your goals?