Invest in Community-Led Climate Solutions
Our Vision
People’s Climate Innovation Center and Institute for Market Transformation are the founding partners of Community Climate Shift. We have complementary strengths in community organizing and technical building policy knowledge, and we share a commitment to creating buildings that serve people in frontline communities.
Community Climate Shift is a groundbreaking initiative designed to transform how communities and local governments work together to ensure that new building performance standards, or other decarbonization policies, implemented by cities and states contribute to a Just Transition and reflect community priorities.
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Climate Innovation and IMT win $5 million for related work
Latest News
Communities are Experiencing a Climate Crisis
Most of us spend 90% of our time working, playing, and learning inside of buildings. These places shape our communities, cities, and the quality of our lives. However, decades of policymaking and business practices have separated us into inequitably resourced spaces where Black, Indigenous, People of Color have been disproportionately harmed.
Frontline communities Frontline communities are those that experience the most immediate and worst impacts of climate change and are most often communities of color, Indigenous, and low-income communities.Ecotrust https://ecotrust.org/centering-frontline-communities/across our country are now bearing the economic and environmental impact of today’s climate crisis:
Local Governments Target Buildings to Meet Climate Goals
Local governments are committing to ambitious climate goals that require better buildings. In January 2022, the White House Council on Environmental Quality launched the National Building Performance Standards Coalition with more than 40 local and state governments committing to take aggressive policy action to regulate buildings and their impact on our environment.
Communities are Neglected in Policymaking
However, traditional policy making has often failed to address the needs of frontline communities. These communities are experts on the climate crisis because they not only know what it's like to experience its consequences better than anyone, but also what solutions best work on the ground. However, they are often excluded from policy discussions or their voices are sidelined. To address historic and ongoing inequities, the policy process must be transformed.
Our Campaign Goals
Model Community-Driven Policymaking
Demonstrate just, inclusive, and transparent processes
Develop Healthier Environments
Reduce pollution; improve air and water quality
Improve Building Quality
Resource communities to adapt existing buildings for climate resilience and energy efficiency
Generate Economic Impact
Ensure frontline communities are directly reaping the economic benefits of new jobs and investments
Improve Cost of Living
Provide affordable, reliable utility services
Increase Community Access to Federal Funds
Identify and apply for federal funding opportunities to support place-based work
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Partner and improve your community’s building policies
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