City of Grand Rapids Climate Action: Local Leadership in Building a Resilient Future

Sustainability Associate Hanna De La Vega Sanchez recently sat down with the City of Grand Rapids Environmental and Climate Justice Specialist, Robert Cloy II, as part of the Forum’s monthly Spanish-language sustainability series on La Ponderosa Radio in Grand Rapids. (Una versión en español de esta publicación está disponible aquí).

Robert Cloy, Environmental and Climate Justice Specialist with the City of Grand Rapids, and Hanna De la Vega Sánchez, Bilingual Sustainability Associate with the Michigan Sustainable Business Forum (MiSBF), joined La Ponderosa Radio to share how local climate efforts continue to advance despite federal challenges. Through its Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), the City of Grand Rapids is charting a path toward lower emissions, stronger communities, and a greener economy.

Robert explained that the CAAP is more than a policy, it’s a community roadmap co-created with residents, businesses, and local organizations. Its goals are ambitious: reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 62.8% per person by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050. The plan’s six focus areas, energy, housing, buildings, transportation, nature-based solutions, and food systems highlight a comprehensive approach to resilience.

“Grand Rapids faces more extreme weather, from floods to heat waves,” Robert said. “That’s why we’re investing in education, tree planting, and climate-resilient infrastructure, especially in historically under-resourced neighborhoods.”

Hanna emphasized the importance of collaboration: “When federal programs are reduced or eliminated, local partnerships become essential. Our work with Grand Rapids shows that sustainability must be community-driven.”

Food systems are also central to the city’s strategy. Through initiatives that reduce food waste, promote composting, and support local growers, the city links environmental protection with economic opportunity. MiSBF’s Michigan Food Waste Roadmap complements this work by aiming to cut statewide food waste by 50%, reducing emissions while strengthening local economies.

Listen to the segment below in Spanish:

Robert discusses the MI Healthy Climate Plan with La Ponderosa and Hanna de la Vega Sanchez.