The City of Kalamazoo was recognized by the statewide Michigan Green Communities (MGC) program, receiving the state’s second highest level of environmental leadership designation — gold.

The city’s ranking is an improvement from 2023 when it received a silver certification. The MGC is a program that awards communities with bronze, silver, gold, or platinum seals of achievement for their environmental leadership. The city’s award is the result of the city’s efforts in areas such as energy efficiency, climate adaptation, recycling, and environmental justice.

Kalamazoo has taken a number of steps to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, including the electrification of its vehicle fleet, a goal of having 100 electric vehicles in its fleet by 2032, and the creation of a new facility for the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety that is LEED Certified. The city’s first-ever Municipal Operations Greenhouse Gas Report details the emissions of greenhouse gases from municipal activities.

Justin Gish, sustainability planner, City of Kalamazoo, said, “The City of Kalamazoo is serious about its commitments to the environment. Every City department, from Public Services to Public Safety to Human Resources, is working to do their part to meet the goals laid out in the City’s Community Sustainability Plan. Achieving Gold Certification in the Michigan Green Communities challenge proves to the public that Kalamazoo is on the right track.”