Office of Sustainability

Subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter for local news, jobs, events, resources and updates from the Grand Rapids Office of Sustainability. It is sent out on the 15th of each month.

If you would like to share your sustainability work in our e-newsletter, please reach out to Kat Hart at khart@grcity.us by the 10th of the month.

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How We Got Here

In the past, we used sustainability plans to guide our sustainability work. Our first plans used a triple bottom line framework to address the environment, community, and economy in our city. Later, we added another pillar, governmental accountability, for a quadruple bottom line framework.

In 2019, the we published a Strategic Plan to serve as the new framework for all of our operations. In this plan, we identified sustainability as one of six core values that are embedded across all of our operations and services. In order to address climate change, we will be creating a Climate Action & Adaptation Plan in 2023. Browse the documents below to learn more about our guiding frameworks.

Current Plan

• City of Grand Rapids Strategic Plan - English(PDF, 5MB)
• City of Grand Rapids Strategic Plan - Spanish(PDF, 5MB)

Plans with a Sustainability Focus 

• Parks and Recreation Strategic Master Plan - 2022
• 2019 Water Quality Report - 2019
• Bicycle Action Plan - July 2019
• GR Forward - October 2015
• Stormwater Master Plan(PDF, 893KB) - May 2013
• Climate Resiliency Report(PDF, 3MB)  - December 2013
• Green Grand Rapids(PDF, 23MB) - October 2011

Archived Plans & Progress Reports

• Sustainability Plan Progress Report Presentation - November 21, 2017(PDF, 9MB)
• Sustainability Plan FY17 - FY21(PDF, 1MB)
• 5th Year Progress Report Sustainability Plan FY11 - FY15(PDF, 8MB)
• Community Triple Bottom Line Indicator Report 2008(PDF, 2MB)
• Sustainability Plan 2006(PDF, 288KB)

Energy & Carbon Emissions

Energy use and the resulting carbon emissions are a key area of focus for the City of Grand Rapids. Learn more about our efforts to reduce our municipal emissions and what you can do to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. 

Butterworth Solar

We are seeking partners to help us develop solar on the Butterworth Landfill. Please click here for more information. 

Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation & Resiliency

We're finding ways to address climate change and are committed to reducing climate impacts in Grand Rapids. Check out some of our commitments below.  

• Climate Resiliency Report(PDF, 3MB) -This report was published in 2013 in partnership with the West Michigan Environmental Action Council. It identifies what changes we can expect to our local weather and risks associated with those changes (examples: more snow/rain in the winter/spring; warmer temperatures in winter, etc.)
• Climate Mayors - A bipartisan network of U.S. mayors, including our very own Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, who demonstrate leadership on climate change. 
• We Are Still In - Mayor Rosalynn Bliss was one of the first signatories to the We Are Still In Pledge in June 2017. This bipartisan coalition of mayors, governors and business leaders are committed to reducing emissions and stemming the causes of climate change.

Land & Green spaces

Our goal is to increase the amount of accessible park space in Neighborhoods of Focus from 3.1 acres to 9.5 acres. You can check out our 74 City-owned parks here. Make sure to visit the Parks and Recreation page to learn more about trails, forestry and park improvement projects.

Water Resources

Water is a precious commodity crucial to human life. We make sure drinking water, stormwater and wastewater are managed and maintained responsibly. Check out what we're up to at our related departments:

• Environmental Services - stormwater, green infrastructure and water resource recovery through wastewater treatment
• Water System - water distribution, including drinking water

Waste & Recycling

In 2018, 23% of our residential waste was recycled. Help us increase this number by signing up for free curbside recycling as a resident or small business.

For more information on waste and recycling services and resources, visit our Public Works Department web page.

Mobility

There are many options to getting around Grand Rapids including walking, biking, ride sharing, and taking the bus. Take a look at all the options we offer on the Mobile GR and Parking Services page.

E.H.Zero

The City of Grand Rapids, U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan and Urban Core Collective are launching the Grand Rapids Building Policies and Programs for Equitable, Healthy & Zero Carbon Buildings (E.H.Zero). Transforming the way buildings and homes are designed, built, and operated is one of the most important ways a city can support affordable housing, ensure clean healthy air in our communities and increase our resilience to the negative impacts of a changing climate. E.H.Zero will co-create with community policies and programs to equitably decarbonize Grand Rapids residential and commercial buildings and present them to Commission for consideration and hopeful adoption.

Michigan Green Communities

Michigan Green Communities (MGC) is a statewide network of local government and university staff. The group collaborates to move sustainability initiatives forward at the local, regional, and state level. Grand Rapids is not only a member of this network, but our Sustainability and Performance Management Officer sits on the steering committee. In 2018 and 2019, we received Gold Certification for the annual MGC Challenge.

Community Collaboration on Climate Change (C4)

The Community Collaboration on Climate Change (C4) is an evolution of what was previously the Community Sustainability Partnership (CSP) a diverse network of for-profit and non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and governments in West Michigan. The CSP showed that the resources, experience, and knowledge already exist within the community, but organizations and individuals most concerned with the climate-justice movement are not always acting in the same spaces. In addition, although we are all negatively impacted by climate change, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are disproportionately impacted and aren't genuinely represented in the current environmental and climate change movement. The Grand Rapids community lacks a solid and stable infrastructure to challenge systemic barriers necessary to make bold changes necessary to create a just climate future, and the C4 intends to change that fact. In the C4 the vision is that, BIPOC and historically white environmental organizations will dismantle extractive systems and build new systems to combat climate change - centered in human wellbeing, the interconnectedness of life, and access to shared leadership. Alison Waske Sutter and Annabelle Wilkinson sit on the C4 Leadership Team. 

We're sharing our sustainability story. Check out the links below to see what we're up to.

2022

• Grand Rapids advances 100% renewable goal with new solar array
• City of Grand Rapids joins White House CEQ Building Performance Standard Coalition
• Michigan Cities Leading on Climate

2021 

• Alison Sutter discusses resolution declaring climate change a crisis
• City exceeds Paris Climate Accord targets; reduces carbon emissions
• Let there be light! Grand Rapids upgrades to LED bulbs
• As Michigan climate changes, Grand Rapids uses green space to mitigate floods
• Annabelle Wilkinson discusses Grand Rapids and environmental justice

2020 

• Cannabis growers reduce energy consumption in Grand Rapids
• Zero Cities Project Lessons Learned Series: Session 1 - Equity Assessment Tools Presentation

2019 

• City Commission adopts four-year strategic plan
• How dirty is the Grand River? Not as Bad as You Might Think
• City of Grand Rapids joins effort to increase access to parks
• City of Grand Rapids moves forward with plans for composting operation

2018

• Zero Cities Project aims to reduce Grand Rapids’ carbon footprint by zero by 2050
• Bike sharing program with 800 bikes proposed for GR 
• Construction makes Eastown more environmentally friendly and walkable
• Future plans for Grand River corridor revealed at River for All event
• Grand Rapids earns 2030 Leadership Award for Zero Cities Project
• City partners with the community on energy and sustainability efforts
• Six City buildings earn EPA’s Energy Star certification

2017 

• Alison Waske Sutter discusses Grand Rapids and Sustainability
• Rethinking sustainability: A greener Grand Rapids starts from the ground up
• Grand Rapids is connecting to the environment, one sensor at a time
• Six public building projects honored for $2.1 million in annual energy savings through use of performance contracts
• Mayor Bliss, GR 2030 District and Lean & Green Michigan celebrate launch of Grand Rapids PACE program
• The Road to 100: Grand Rapids' journey to be Michigan’s first all-renewable-powered city

2016 

• Newly adopted plan sets stage for next phase of the City’s sustainability planning
• How Heartwell Administration Moved Grand Rapids to Sustainability

2010 - 2015

• The Evolution of Sustainability Planning in GR
• GR mayor: ‘Becoming the most sustainable region’

Over the years, the City and Greater Grand Rapids community have been recognized for the commitment to sustainability. Below are a few articles highlighting some of these achievements.

2022

• Grand Rapids earns gold in Michigan Green Communities Challenge

2021 

• Grand Rapids ranked 31 out of 100 cities in ACEEE 2021 City Clean Energy Scorecard

2020 

• City of Grand Rapids earns WMSBF's Triple Bottom Line Leadership Award 2020
• Greater Lansing United Nations awards the City of Grand Rapids a 2020 Michigan SDG Award for Goal #11 - Sustainable Cities & Communities
• Grand Rapids ranks 33rd out of 100 cities in ACEEE 2020 City Clean Energy Scorecard
• Waske Sutter named to state's first environmental justice council

2019 

• Grand Rapids earns SolSmart silver certification
• Top Locations for Sustainable Development
• Parks and Recreation Dept. adds expertise in sustainable landscaping

2018 

• Grand Rapids earns gold for sustainability efforts
• Grand Rapids earns 2030 Leadership Award for Zero Cities Project
• Six City buildings earn EPA's Energy Star certification
• City's Vital Streets Plan wins national planning achievement award

2000 - 2017 

• Six public building projects honored for $2.1 million in annual energy savings through use of performance contracts
• Water Environment Federation National MS4 Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Award
• The City of Grand Rapids wins Project of the Year Award for innovative energy efficiency project
• Battle of The Buildings 2nd Place Public Buildings
• Grand Rapids Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) earns 2nd place in Michigan Battle of the Buildings
• #1 in number of LEED certified buildings per capita - for mid-sized cities - in the U.S
• 1st LEED municipal building: Water & Environmental Services
• Grand Rapids named most sustainable city in nation
• 1st U.S. city to be recognized as a Regional Centre of Expertise

Annabelle Wilkinson

(she/her/hers)

Chief Sustainability Officer
awilkinson@grcity.us

Jennifer Spiller

(she/her/hers)

Healthy and Sustainable Buildings Policy Specialist
jspiller@grcity.us

Kevin Greene

(he/him/his)

Energy & Carbon Specialist
kgreene@grcity.us

Originally from the Chicagoland area, Kevin  holds a B.S. degree in Meteorology from Iowa State University and has 5+ years of experience in energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainability reporting. Having overseen several commercial-grade HVAC, lighting and building automation renovations, in addition to extensive experience in corporate renewable energy investments, Kevin is excited to bring his experience to the City of Grand Rapids to help achieve the City’s sustainability goals of carbon net-neutrality and energy use optimization.

Kat Hart

(she/they)

Education & Engagement Coordinator
khart@grcity.us

Kat Hart is an environmental educator, and Grand Valley alum, who has been teaching in West Michigan for over eight years. She specializes in community-driven science workshops, outdoor field trips for K-12 students, and activating stakeholders to participate in climate action. Kat is experienced in freshwater biology, waste reduction, and geographic information science. If you are interested in connecting with the OS for climate resources, presentations, or engagements please contact Kat via email with your request.

Kristof Nieschwitz

(he/him/his)

Community Energy Coordinator
knieschwitz@grcity.us

Kristof is placed at the City of Grand Rapids Office of Sustainability as the Community Energy Coordinator as part of cohort 2 of the MI Healthy Climate Corps. Kristof earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology and minored in Sustainability at the University of Toledo. He is excited to contribute to local sustainability projects and expand equity and decarbonization in Grand Rapids through the PACE and Solarize programs.