For the City of Sterling Heights, Michigan, the journey toward a sustainable future began not with a single environmental crisis, but with a forward-looking vision. As part of its “Visioning 2040” strategic plan, the city committed to becoming a more vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community. This commitment laid the groundwork for one of its most ambitious undertakings: a comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CAP). In 2024, Fresh Coast began working with Sterling Heights to create a realistic plan for the city that balanced scientific data, community passion, and political reality. The city officially adopted the 2025 CAP in February 2025.
Overview
Our goal was to create a holistic plan that addressed both climate mitigation (reducing emissions) and adaptation (preparing for climate impacts). After analyzing the city’s greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, reviewing best practices from other leading cities, and getting input from city staff, we landed on five key focus areas: buildings, transportation, waste, natural resources, and public health.
A 2022 GHG inventory revealed that buildings and transportation were major source of emissions, making them a top priority. While waste didn’t represent a large slice of the emissions pie, it was identified as a critical area for environmental stewardship and a topic residents were passionate about. Similarly, natural resources and public health were included to ensure the plan enhanced community well-being and resilience, connecting the abstract concept of climate change to tangible benefits like clean air, green spaces, and healthier residents.
Public engagement was a cornerstone of the process, but it also highlighted a significant challenge. We facilitated community events and online surveys to gather input. A clear theme emerged almost immediately: residents loved trees. In a “voting game” where attendees used tokens to allocate hypothetical funds, natural resources and tree canopy expansion were the runaway winners.
While this passion was valuable, it also revealed a disconnect. We took the community engagement as an opportunity to educate community members about the important role energy efficiency and electrification—which received far less public interest—play in reducing GHG emissions.
The process also navigated political sensitivities. In a city at the heart of America’s automotive hub, conversations about transitioning away from natural gas or promoting electric vehicles had to be handled with care. The feedback, especially from the 300-plus community survey responses, was not always positive, with some comments being openly hostile. In any climate action plan, we have to balance the climate goals and mandates of the city with the political reality for the community we’re working in and with.
Our 2025 Climate Action Plan is one of the most meaningful projects I’ve had the privilege to work on. It was a huge learning experience and a major collaborative achievement.”
In order to create a realistic and successful plan for Sterling Heights, we needed to balance public passion for green spaces, staff expertise, and the technical imperatives of the GHG inventory.
Our initial draft honored the residents’ priorities by including robust sections on natural resources, while also incorporating the less popular but critical strategies around building electrification and energy efficiency. We presented this draft to city staff, whose deep, institutional knowledge proved invaluable. They identified additional opportunities, pointed out potential roadblocks, and helped tailor every action item to the specific operational realities of Sterling Heights. This iterative process ensured the city staff had a strong sense of ownership over the final product, viewing it not as a consultant’s report, but as their own roadmap.
A plan is only as good as its execution. Recognizing that a 70+ -page document can be overwhelming, the most valuable deliverable we created for Sterling Heights was not the public-facing plan itself, but a detailed implementation matrix designed specifically for city staff. This internal tool was the engine of the plan’s success.
The matrix broke down each of the plan’s 103 action items into clear, manageable steps. It identified the responsible departments, set realistic timelines, provided budget considerations, and noted which initiatives were already underway. We often see progress falter after a plan has been written and ownership of its execution is unclear. The practical, user-friendly matrix supported Sterling Heights in avoiding this pitfall, and the results speak for themselves. In July 2025, just months after the plan’s adoption, the city had already initiated 28 of the identified actions.
This recognition is a proud moment for our city and a testament to the thoughtful, forward-looking work of our Planning team. As a city, we are deeply committed to creating a sustainable and resilient future for our residents. The Climate Action Plan is not just a document—it’s a roadmap for positive change, and we’re excited to see our efforts recognized on a statewide platform.”
In July, Sterling Heights was awarded the Outstanding Resilience and Sustainability Award by the Michigan
Association of Planning (MAP/APA Michigan) for its 2025 CAP.
By strategically navigating political landscapes, balancing community desires with scientific necessity, and pursuing long-term collaboration, Sterling Heights now has a Climate Action Plan that isn’t just a document, but a catalyst for meaningful action.
