Grand Rapids earns 2030 Leadership Award for Zero Cities Project
Published on October 25, 2018
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids’ efforts to achieve zero net carbon across its building stock by 2050 has been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council-West Michigan Chapter (USGBC-WM). USGBC-WM will present the City with this year’s 2030 Leadership Award for its Zero Cities Project efforts Nov. 8 in Grand Rapids.
The 2030 Leadership Award recognizes a dedicated leader that exemplifies 2030 carbon reduction targets through its measured actions and vision, according to USGBC-WM.
“The City of Grand Rapids has shown exemplary leadership in support of the Grand Rapids 2030 District goals,” said Cheri Holman, executive director of USGBC-WM. “In addition to the energy waste reduction progress of City-owned buildings – including six Energy Star certified buildings – the City of Grand Rapids is participating in the national Zero Cities Project, which will bring about significant carbon emissions reductions from all buildings throughout the Grand Rapids community. The City’s commitment to identifying policies and programs that will result in communitywide net zero carbon buildings is a major catalyst to achieving the carbon reduction targets of the Grand Rapids 2030 District.”
The Zero Cities Project is a three-year grant-funded initiative aimed at developing a set of policies and programs that leads to a zero net carbon building sector by 2050. Zero net carbon means a building offsets its energy consumption via an onsite generation or through purchased renewable energy.
“Much of the credit for this award goes to Mayor Bliss as well as City leadership and staff, past and present, who share our vision and champion energy and carbon reduction goals,” said Alison Waske Sutter, the City’s sustainability manager. “We are honored to be one of 12 cities selected to participate in the Zero Cities Project. The Grand Rapids 2030 District is a key partner in accomplishing the goals for the Zero Cities Project, and we are extremely thankful for its expertise and support.”
The Grand Rapids 2030 District is a public-private partnership committed to creating high-performing buildings that increase marketability and profitability for property owners, improve their environmental impact and strengthen the greater community’s vibrancy. USGBC-WM manages the Grand Rapids 2030 District.
USGBC-WM’s mission is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated in a way that improves the quality of life in West Michigan. It accomplishes that mission by providing programs, competitions, tools and resources dedicated to expanding green building practices.