Momentum on building performance standards (BPS) extends beyond the United States. Canadian jurisdictions are making movements on performance policies as well. Benchmarking & Reporting and BPS (or BEPS) policies have been passed at both the city and province level (see our map for details). For example, Toronto, Ontario is the latest city to move toward … Continued
Developed by IMT and a coalition of Canadian partners led by Efficiency Canada, this toolkit helps local governments in Canada and the U.S. design Building Performance Standards that put equity at the center, not as an afterthought.
Community partners helped shape California’s SB 48 building strategy using the Spectrum of Community Engagement to Ownership. Comments are due August 21.
Involving community in policymaking makes for better outcomes, especially when balancing affordability and decarbonization. This research paper was published as part of the Summer Study 2026 proceedings.
Why one state’s new building performance strategy is a big deal for community involvement and climate action
A revised framework for how to build community-centered policies for building decarbonization and performance improvement.
How the State of California can use a building performance standard to advance affordability and sustainability at the same time.
Buildings are more than bricks and walls: they’re where we live, work, and learn. In most large cities in North America, buildings are also the largest source of the greenhouse gas emissions warming our planet.
The report provides a landscape assessment of alternative compliance pathways used for building performance standards nationwide.
This document can serve as a starting point for both governments and advocates to craft decarbonization policies that center community priorities, and for insights on how to collaborate across sectors and interest groups.