Applied Sustainability and Climate Resiliency

Haris Alibašić, Ph.D.City of Grand RapidsFebruary 26, 2014

Agenda Sustainability and Resiliency

Overview Applying and Measuring

Sustainability Grand Rapids Climate Resiliency

Plan

Sustainability DefinedSet of effective and efficient actions taken by an organization to ensure the economic stability, growth, and financial success, with the most positive societal outcome and the least negative environmental impact.

Resiliency Planning

Resiliency planning takes into consideration emergency preparedness, energy planning, health, and safety issues.

Alibašić (2013). Local Governments Must Take Charge of Building Resilient Communitieshttp://www.triplepundit.com/2013/07/building-resilient-communities/

Timeline of Sustainability in GR

Community Sustainability Partnership (CSP)grpartners.org

Members Percent

Businesses 62%

NGO’s 18%

Academia 5%

Cities and Municipalities 4%

Trade and Professional Organizations 2%

Faith Based Organizations ~2%

Health Care ~2%

Retail ~2%

Individuals ~2%

240 Organizations 100%

Grand Rapids SustainabilityEconomic Issues:• A Strong Economy• Diverse Supplier Base• Employment & Workforce Training• Financial Management/Sustainability• Enhanced Customer Service• Vital Business Districts

Social Issues:• Great Neighborhoods• Strong Education, Arts & Community• Civic Engagement• Healthy Lifestyles & Healthy

Environments• Public Safety

Environmental Issues:• Energy & Climate Protection• Environmental Quality & Natural

Systems• Land Use & Development

Sustainability Plan

Source: Office of Energy and Sustainability 

FY2013SustainabilityPlanProgressReport

• Climate Resiliency• Transformation• Economic Highlights

▫ Brownfield Redevelopment ▫ Micro Local Business Enterprise firms

• Social Highlights▫ The Mayor’s 50▫ LEAD Youth Employment Program▫ Volunteerism▫ Local food sources: Downtown Market,

Urban farming

• Environmental Highlights ▫ Bikeway Network▫ LEED Certification▫ Extreme weather events (heat waves/flood)▫ Tree Canopy▫ Solar panel system

TheSustainabilityPlanProgressReport

OverallProgress

• In FY 2013, 51% of all targets are shown as completed, compared to last year’s 36%.

52% 50%53%

48% 50%

44%

3%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Economic Social Environmental

Complete In Progess Little to No Progress

FY2013ByTheme

51%48%

1%

Complete In Progress Little to No Progress

FY2013Results

52%48%

FY 2013 Economic Progress

50%50%

FY 2013 Social Progress

53%44%

3%

FY 2013 Environmental Progress

Complete In Progress Little to No Progress

Renewable Energy Goals

• Pledged that more than 20% of the City's power would come from renewable sources by 2008

• After achieving this target before 2008, the City is now committed to 100% renewable energy by 2020.

Solar Energy Application

Solar at Butterworth Landfill Superfund Site

• With EPA funding, completed a feasibility study for large scale solar.

RE Projects Under Consideration

Request for Proposals : Sustainable Biosolids Management Programs

Geothermal Project at Fire Stations

DOE/EECBG*Grant

fundedAnnual Utility Savings (kWh)

Total Cost Savings

GHG Reduced (metric tons)

Geothermal Fire Stations

$300,000 266,000 $22,610 191

Geothermal Project at Fire Stations is to implement a geothermal heating and cooling system that extracts an pumps heat from underground. The system will reduce energy costs and pay back the city’s upfront expense in 7.5 years

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

• The City installed seven Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) charging stations last year.

• Each station can charge two vehicles at a time and usage has increased as awareness of their presence grows.

• Stations were used over 1,100 times since installation.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

2012 vs. 2013 use

Refuse & Recycling

In 2012, the City launched a new refuse program that aims to be fully supported by fees, and uses carts made from locally recycled plastic, eliminating over 1 million bags per year. We also launched a new recycling program that allows residents to earn and redeem points for participating through the program MyGRCity Points.

Other Sustainability InitiativesBicycle FriendlyThe City expanded its Urban Bike Network by 12 miles this year, and have a goal to add 100 miles by 2014. The Transport Emissions Evaluation Model Tool calculates that for every 100 miles of bike lanes, the City can reduce their CO2 emissions by 13,000 tons per year.

Bio-Retention IslandsSeven new bio-retention islands were installed in the City this past year, as a pilot for storm water capture design, and the first project of its kind in Michigan. The system filters storm water before it hits the Grand River Watershed, removing solid waste and a large portion of road salts. Additionally, the project will increase pedestrian and traffic safety along the avenue.

Urban ForestThrough a partnership with the City, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks have initiated the Grand Rapids Urban Forest Project which set a 40% tree canopy goal. This will aid with stormwatermanagement, sequester carbon, and reduce energy costs by shading homes and streets.

Resiliency Planning Process

2005

2005

2006

2008

2009

2010

2007

2011

A comprehensive climate change

strategy improves the current

conditions and lessens the future impacts of weather

events

Source: Alibašić (2013). Unpublished manuscript.

Resiliency Planning and Emergency Preparedness

Source: Alibašić (2013). Unpublished manuscript. Walden University.

Emergency Planning and Resiliency

•

ArticlesAlibašić, H. (2012). How Energy Efficiency Strategy Pays Off in Grand Rapids http://www.triplepundit.com/2012/08/energy-efficiency-strategy-pays-grand-rapids/Alibašić, H. (2013). Local Governments Must Take Charge of Building Resilient Communities http://www.triplepundit.com/2013/07/building-resilient-communities/Alibašić, H. (2013). Building Sustainable and Resilient Grand Rapids. German American Chamber of Commerce Water Technology Magazine, Page 28 http://www.gaccmidwest.org/fileadmin/ahk_chicago/2013_GAWT_Initiative/GAWT_Magazine_2013-2014_FINAL.pdfAlibašić, H. (2013). The Evolution of Sustainability Planning in Grand Rapids http://www.triplepundit.com/2013/11/evolution-sustainability-planning-grand-rapids/

Source: Office of Energy and

Thank you!Email: halibasi@grcity.usWebsite: www.sustainablegr.orgTwitter: @HarisAlibasic