Alongside community partners, we've created the City's first Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). The CAAP will act as a road map for how the community of Grand Rapids will reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and prepare for the impacts of climate change on our people, environment and infrastructure. The CAAP was co-created in partnership with community stakeholders to meet our community-wide science-based targets.
- 62.8% per capita GHG reduction community-wide by 2030 from 2019 emissions
- 100% per capita GHG reduction by 2050 from 2019 emissions
To read the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan please select the links below:
Download the full Climate Action and Adaptation Plan(PDF, 7MB)
Appendix A: City of Grand Rapids Climate History(PDF, 619KB)
Appendix B: Community Engagement Report(PDF, 7MB)
Appendix C: Technical Analysis(PDF, 70MB)
Watch the CAAP Overview Presentation by Chief Sustainability Officer Annabelle Wilkinson
This 15-minute presentation is an overview of the goals, strategies, and actions of the Grand Rapids Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP). It was held during the Committee of the Whole (COW) for the Grand Rapids City Commission Tuesday, April 15th, 2025.
You can watch the recording of this presentation here (starts at 2hr 46min for YouTube).
Goal (16 total): Desired outcomes in specific sectors to achieve our community science-based targets and reduce the impacts of climate change.
Strategy (32 total): Major initiatives, or services that must be completed in order to progress towards the goals.
Action (197 total): The programs, activities, and projects that will push forward the strategies.
Watch the 4/29/2025 Public Hearing for Climate Action
In case you missed it, you can
view a recording of the Public Hearing for the Grand Rapids Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP) that was held during the City Commission meeting on Tuesday, April 29th, 2025. There were 37 community members who attended and shared their insight on climate action.
To download the transcript for the 4/29 CAAP Public Hearing please select the link below:
Grand Rapids CAAP 4/29/2025 Public Hearing Transcript(PDF, 512KB)
Click the links below for specific sections of the full City Commission Meeting on April 29th, 2025:
Check out the City of Grand Rapids on YouTube, Facebook, and Comcast Channel 26. For more information on how to watch City meetings click here.
Watch the 5/13/25 CAAP Work Session with City Commission
On Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 the Grand Rapids City Commission held a work session to prioritize the 197 actions of the CAAP. The City Commission will review a resolution to adopt the CAAP during the Committee of the Whole (COW) in July.
You can watch the recording of this presentation here (starts at 4hr 34min).
In discussion, the CAAP actions and strategies are referred to by their shorthand numbers (
e.g. Action 5.8 in Chapter 4). For clarity while watching the work session- we recommend using our CAAP Action Type Guides alongside the video.
To download the Grand Rapids CAAP Action Type Guides please select the links below:
Full Grand Rapids CAAP Action Type Guide(PDF, 342KB)
Chapter 1: Energy Systems Action Types GR CAAP(PDF, 1000KB)
Chapter 2: Residential Homes Action Types GR CAAP(PDF, 818KB)
Chapter 3: Buildings & Industry Action Types GR CAAP(PDF, 1011KB)
Chapter 4: Transportation Action Types GR CAAP(PDF, 189KB)
Chapter 5: Nature Based Solutions Action Types GR CAAP(PDF, 1009KB)
Chapter 6: Food Systems Action Types GR CAAP(PDF, 205KB)
The CAAP Process Timeline
The CAAP is currently maintained as a "draft" form as the Plan moves through a potential adoption process. A finalized version of the CAAP will be released with some graphic updates and adoption documentation if the Plan moves through the potential adoption process. The CAAP was created from data in our greenhouse gas emissions inventory, climate risk and vulnerability assessment, existing plans, and the lived experiences of residents and community organizations and businesses.
The image below is a look at the CAAP process timeline. For more detailed information on the data and engagement process, please check out the panels below.
The City of Grand Rapids is committed to addressing the climate crisis by working towards the goals, strategies and actions outlined within the CAAP to achieve the adopted community-wide science-based targets. However, achieving Grand Rapids community-wide science-based targets will only be made possible with community buy-in and action. The City will act as a leader for this work with it's municipal operations, implementing actions under local control, and advocating for legislative and regulatory changes to meet the CAAP's goals. The City will also act as a convener to bring community stakeholders to the table to work towards innovative solutions collaboratively to move community progress.