The Transition Towns movement, which originated in Totnes, England in 2006, uses backcasting as a core approach. Transition Town initiatives start by envisioning a future in which their local community has drastically reduced its carbon footprint and increased resilience in the face of challenges like climate change and resource depletion.

Transition Town groups then work backwards to identify the specific steps, policies, and initiatives needed to transition their community towards that desired future state. This may include things like developing local renewable energy sources, creating community gardens and food forests, launching skill-sharing workshops, and redesigning transportation systems.