Municipal Action
Climate Action Plan
On a recommendation from the SusCom, the Rockford City Council signed a proclamation supporting the State of Michigan's goals of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Carbon neutrality means the amount of harmful greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere is zero - either by adopting clean energy sources or offsetting the emission through other means. It is sometimes called Net Zero. The proclamation requires that an action plan be put in place to meet those goals. The SusCom and the City of Rockford have taken steps toward the development of that plan.
Rockford’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP)
Step 1
Greenhouse Gas Inventory
We conducted a greenhouse gas inventory to determine a baseline of current emissions. With the help of a Fellow from the Graham Institute at the University of Michigan, we also completed a Local Government Organization (LGO) survey and a community survey. See the Summary Report here.
Step 2
City Action Plan
The city worked with GZA consulting group to create the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP) to reduce emissions in city facilities and operations. This plan was completed in 2025 and will be introduced to City Council in August, 2025.
This work was funded by the Community Energy Management grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).
Step 3
Community Outreach
City facilities account for only 1% of the greenhouse gases emitted by the greater Rockford community. The City of Rockford is seeking to lead by example with the development of their Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP), but much more needs to be done to meet the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Our October 2025 Live & Learn event will feature community speakers that unite us in citizen action that supports the City’s decarbonization plan.
If you have interest or expertise in a specific area of sustainability and would like to share that, please contact us at RockfordSusCom@gmail.com.