Creating a New Practice
For more than 25 years, the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) has worked hand-in-hand with policymakers to create and deploy building-focused legislation and codes that create momentum for greater building efficiency and performance. We specialize in policy approaches that raise buildings’ performance expectations with flexible paths to move forward, reflect the needs of industry stakeholders, support inclusive economic opportunity, and increase resiliency and health. Policies that IMT has helped design or implement now touch more than 10 billion square feet of commercial and multifamily space across the United States. However, too often, policy officials exclude frontline communities—those affected first and worst by climate change— from critical decisions, policies, and technical processes. This denies these residents the opportunity to share their knowledge and experience, provide consent, and fully participate in decisions that will affect their daily lives.
In June 2021, the Community Engagement (CE) team began developing the following framework for engaging communities throughout our work toward a resilient, low-carbon future. The team met over several months to research and establish a strategic plan for helping our governmental partners meaningfully engage with frontline communities. In addition, the Community Engagement Process Guide was created in February 2022 as a complementary resource to explain how we do this work, highlight best practices, ask critical questions for reflection, and list helpful resources related to climate change and environmental justice.
Organizational Journey
From 1996 to 2019, IMT operated as a leading technical assistance organization within the building decarbonization industry with a commitment to combating climate change and generating a circular economy. We specialized in policy approaches that raised buildings’ performance expectations with flexible paths to move forward, reflected the needs of industry stakeholders, supported inclusive economic opportunity, and increased resiliency and health.
Learn more →In 2019, IMT made an intentional shift to assess the intersections of building decarbonization, economic justice, environmental justice, and public health — committing to support climate and environmental justice solutions for frontline communities across the nation.
IMT developed the Community Engagement Framework to engage communities throughout our work toward a resilient, low-carbon future, meeting over several months to research and establish a strategic plan for meaningfully engaging frontline communities.
Framework, Process Guide, and Conflict Resolution Guide completed. IMT commenced organization-wide learning to center current climate issues impacting frontline communities across all IMT projects.
Project Spotlight: Community Climate ShiftIMT embedded EJ principles in projects outside government engagements — exploring Utility Franchise Fees, Building Exchange HUBS, and intersections of decarbonization and tribal sovereignty.
Project Spotlight: Community Health Priorities in Building Performance PoliciesReflecting on how IMT as a technical organization can continuously support frontline communities in this current political moment and onward.
In 2026, IMT celebrates 30 years of transforming buildings to be more efficient, affordable, and resilient — and renewing our commitment to ensuring that clean energy and building performance work for every community, especially those on the frontlines of climate change.
Celebrate with us →Mission
The mission for community engagement at IMT is to drive the co-development of energy efficiency and climate solutions that identify and address the challenges, priorities, and aspirations of frontline communities through meaningful community engagement.
Values
Act in solidarity. Have empathy and humanize energy efficiency in a way in which everyone understands that these issues impact the livelihood of real people.
Advocate for transformative solutions. Make the case for cities, business leaders, and other stakeholders to collaborate with community.
Be justice- and issue-informed. Clearly understand the issues at hand about and the language we use so that we are intentional in our work.
Use our power for good. Use our influence and resources to challenge the status quo systems that marginalize communities.
Be intentional. Develop long term strategies for community engagement so that we aren’t rushed or stumbling in our steps.
Be integrated. Clear communication between IMT staff on programs and projects, as well as clear communication between sectors and the Community Engagement team.
Strategize before acting. Avoid shortcuts and prioritize research and planning before engaging with communities or making commitments to partners.
Foster a culture of care. Care for each other as colleagues first and foremost, so we can process and heal before engaging with others.
Goals
The CE team has outlined three major goals to help hold IMT accountable to shifting how the organization works with communities and governments:
- Goal 1: Deeper, more intentional engagement, especially with Tribal Nations.
Develop trust-centered and culturally-grounded partnerships with CBO partners—especially those representing and serving Tribal Nations—by co-creating structures, practices, and communication pathways that honor Tribal sovereignty and expertise, and support long-term collaboration in energy efficiency and decarbonization where IMT is present.
- Goal 2: Equitable research and technical assistance for communities. Build in-house equitable, qualitative research and technical assistance for CBO partners serving frontline communities that expose historical barriers and support their advocacy needs to prevent displacement and support long-term housing stability.
- Goal 3: Opportunities for accessible education. Support CBO partners representing frontline communities with accessible, educational materials to break down barriers of misinformation; equip communities with accurate information; and build capacity to advocate for solutions in their communities.
