MICAN and Michigan Green Communities have compiled this list of climate actions (plans and goals) that communities are taking across the state.
This list is to help community leaders and activists move their town forward and help more Michigan cities take meaningful climate action. You can download a printable list here.
Climate Action Plans by Michigan Cities
There are at least eleven cities and counties in Michigan with climate action plans, and two more cities have plans in development. At least nine Michigan communities have set clean energy or greenhouse gas reduction goals, and two have set 100% renewable energy goals.
Community |
Date of Plan |
Energy or Climate Goal |
City of Ann Arbor |
July 2012 |
90% GHG reduction by 2050 100% Renewables for City Operations by 2035 |
City of Dearborn |
August 2012 |
10% GHG reduction by 2015 |
City of Detroit |
July 2019 |
35% reduction in municipal emissions by 2024 and to be net-zero emissions by 2050. The citywide goal of 30% reduction by 2025. |
City of Grand Rapids |
April 2013 |
100% Renewables by 2025 |
City of Hazel Park |
September 2012 |
50% GHG reduction by 2050 |
City of Kalamazoo |
April 2017 |
26%-28% GHG reduction by 2025
|
City of Petoskey |
June 2019 |
100% Clean Energy Citywide by 2035 |
City of Southgate |
September 2012 |
50% GHG reduction by 2050 |
City of Traverse City |
February 2011 December 2016 August 2018 |
25% GHG reduction by 2012 100% Renewables for City Operations by 2020 *100% Community-Wide Renewables by 2040, with 40% renewables by 2025 interim goal |
City of Ypsilanti |
July 2012 |
50% GHG reduction by 2050 |
Meridian Township |
October 2017 |
50% Renewables by 2025 100% Renewables for city operations by 2035 |
Northport Village |
April 2016 |
100% Renewables by 2025 |
*This is the first 100% community-wide renewable goal for any city in Michigan.
Plans Related to Climate Action and Renewable Energy |
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City of Holland |
September 2011 |
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City of East Lansing |
April 2012 |
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City of Farmington Hills |
October 2011 |
Climate Action by Michigan Colleges & Military Bases
At least seven of Michigan’s colleges and universities – some the size of small cities – have set clean energy or climate goals. The Army National Guard has set a goal for Michigan’s Camp Grayling base to be its first base to achieve net-zero energy use (and water use and waste production), with similar goals for Fort Custer and Selfridge Air Base.
Colleges and Universities |
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Albion College |
October 2009 |
Carbon neutrality by 2035 |
Grand Valley State University |
January 2012 |
80% GHG reduction by 2050 |
Kalamazoo College |
January 2010 |
25% GHG reduction by 2020 |
Northern Michigan University |
April 2017 |
Creation of a green fund to strive to reach carbon neutrality |
Michigan State University |
January 2012 |
60% GHG reduction by 2030 and 100% clean energy transition |
University of Michigan |
April 2011 |
25% GHG reduction by 2025 |
Wayne State University Strategic Energy Plan |
September 2010 |
|
Western Michigan University |
April 2012 |
Climate neutrality by 2065 |
Military Bases |
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Michigan Army National Guard Fort Custer, Camp Grayling, and Selfridge Air Bases |
June 2016 |
Camp Grayling Net Zero Energy by 2017 (100% RE) |
Mayors Commit to Climate action
In 2014, the Compact of Mayors was launched, and the mayors of Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Muskegon and South Haven have signed on to date, committing to set ambitious targets for GHG emissions reductions and transparent reporting to complement national efforts. In 2007, 30 mayors of Michigan cities signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, committing to reduce climate emissions in their communities and to urge state and federal government to address climate change. While the targets in this commitment are now dated, it is useful to note the commitments of these communities to climate action.
Climate Adaptation & Resiliency Plans
A number of communities in Michigan have developed adaptation or resiliency plans to help prepare for the impacts of climate change, like more intense storms and heat waves. These plans do not address reducing communities’ GHG emissions, but that could be the next step.
Community |
Plan |
Alger County |
Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Plan |
Cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph |
Adapting to Climate Change and Variability and Resilient St. Joseph |
City of Grand Haven and Grand Haven Charter Township |
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City of Grand Rapids |
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City of East Jordan |
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City of Ludington |
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City of Holland |
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Macomb County, City of St. Clair Shores |
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Marquette County |
Lake Superior Climate Adaptation, Mitigation, and Implementation Plan |
Monroe County |
Resilient Monroe |
Muskegon County |
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Peaine and St. James Townships |
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State of Michigan |
Michigan Climate Change and Adaptation Resources
Great Lakes Adaptation Assessment for Cities Climate Fact Sheets
LIAA Planning for Resilient Communities
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Climate and Health Adaptation Program
Michigan Green Communities Challenge
University of Michigan Climate Center – Cities Impact and Adaptation Tool
US EPA Adaptation Resource Center (ARC-X)
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