Building Energy Exchange congratulates Adam Hinge, Managing Director of Sustainable Energy Partnerships and Senior Advisor to BE-Ex, on his receipt of the Champion of Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) at this year’s ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings! 

The recognition celebrates Adam’s invaluable influence in shaping policy, technical standards, energy-efficiency programs, and organizations around the world. Within his career spanning nearly four decades, Adam has helped turn ambitious ideas regarding building performance into practical policies and programs that have shaped the industry.

“Adam Hinge is a gift to building energy efficiency, a gift to innumerable professionals and policy-makers, and, quite simply, a gift to our planet. His collaborative spirit, encyclopedic memory, sharp wit, expansive expertise, global network, practical perspective, sincere mentorship, keen sense of humor, and generous heart have made Adam a singular force in our field, advancing tangible improvements to our built environment over the past four decades and for generations to come.Richard Yancey, Chief Executive Director, Building Energy Exchange

Adam has played an essential role in the development of some of the most consequential building energy policies. He advised on New York City’s Greener, Greater Buildings Plan and contributed to the development and implementation of Local Law 97. At the state level, his work with NYSERDA’s Empire Building Challenge helped demonstrate viable pathways for decarbonizing large existing buildings. He has also contributed to ASHRAE standards and technical guidance that continue to inform building performance and decarbonization efforts. 

His influence extends well beyond New York. Through work with organizations including the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) and the Global Buildings Performance Network, as well as international exchanges and collaborations, Adam has helped advance building energy policies and practices across the United States and around the world.

“Adam’s deep knowledge of the energy and sustainability field makes him an extraordinary resource to all of us working to advance climate action and a resilient energy system. His incisive observations and sound advice are highly sought after, and yet he still manages to ask how else he can be of service. His quiet, consistent leadership has been a part of the success of many leading organizations and projects in this space for many years.Alex Dews, CEO, Institute for Market Transformation

For BE-Ex, Adam’s contributions have been longstanding. He saw potential in BE-Ex when it was still a fledgling organization, collaborating on our first report Let There Be Daylight in 2012. Since then, he has contributed to seminal BE-Ex publications, including Retrofitting Affordability, Turning Data into Action, and others. More recently, he helped lead BE-Ex’s 2023 and 2026 delegations to Sweden, the former resulting in the Solutions for Low Carbon Building Stockholm report.  In 2025, BE-Ex named Adam a Champion of BE-Ex, for his dedicated support and many collaborations.

Across years of work, colleagues have described Adam as a trusted advisor, generous mentor, and gifted facilitator who brings people together to achieve remarkable results. His career is a reminder that lasting change is built not only through landmark policies and technical breakthroughs, but through the relationships and collaboration that make progress possible.

We are proud to celebrate Adam and this well-deserved recognition. Congratulations, Adam!

Interested in learning more about the award? See the official ACEEE winner announcement here. 

Want the latest news from Building Energy Exchange?

Sign Up Below For Updates