ANN ARBOR— Ann Arbor’s aggressive climate and sustainability plan and framework, called A2ZERO, just turned 3 after a weeklong series of events during A2ZERO Week. In addition, the Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations released a second-year report highlighting major activities and accomplishments achieved during year two of the plan with the help of dozens of community collaborators. Achievements include:

  • Installed an additional 1.7 megawatts megawatts (MW) of new residential solar, bringing the Ann Arbor Solarize program total to more than 3MW in two years!
  • Designed 4MW of rooftop solar for city buildings.
  • Intervened in and secured a settlement to: 1) create the first community solar offering in DTE’s service territory; 2) form a working group to create new carbon reduction offerings; and 3) reduce rates for those enrolling in MIGreenPower.
  • Created an Electrification Contractor Training and Badging program with Michigan Saves to ensure contractors are comfortable with electrification and to connect residents with qualified professionals to assist in their transition to home electrification.
  • Collaborated with IBEW/NECA 252 (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers – National Electrical Contractors Association) to launch “The Future is Electric” campaign to bolster electrification readiness among residents.
  • Added more than 80 new electric vehicle chargers to the community, including four fast chargers in downtown.
  • Passed Michigan’s first commercial energy and water benchmarking ordinance.
  • Launched an Aging in Place Efficiently program and supported over a dozen older adults with making energy efficiency, mobility, and home safety improvements.
  • Supported the expansion of protected bike lanes and a bicycle discount program for residents.
  • Launched a zero-waste takeout container program in collaboration with Zingerman’s Next Door Café, Ginger Deli and El Harissa Market Café.
  • Transitioned to year-round residential composting.
  • Launched a Resident Race to Zero week-long zero waste challenge.
  • Initiated planning to develop a circular economy strategy for the city.
  • Installed the city’s first two air-quality monitors.
  • Distributed nearly 2,500 trees through FreeTree Giveaways and Community Tree Plantings.
  • Launched a resilience hub at Northside Community Center and secured funding to support the next two resilience hubs.
  • Trained more than 50 individuals as A2ZERO ambassadors.
  • Supported No Mow May.
  • Granted $100,000 to community groups working on sustainability-related activities.
  • Hosted 100-plus community meetings, events, presentations and discussions.

“A2ZERO is our community’s plan, framework, and actions to achieve a just transition to community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030,” said Missy Stults, sustainability and innovations director for the city. “It’s an audacious, aggressive and scientifically-essential plan and one that will only be achieved through a whole community approach.”

For more information about A2ZERO, activities underway or ways to get involved, see www.a2gov.org/sustainability or email [email protected]. To view the year-two report on A2ZERO activities, visit https://www.a2gov.org/departments/sustainability/Carbon-Neutrality/Pages/default.aspx.