Buildings

Central Ohio is experiencing unprecedented growth—but at what cost to our environment? As large-scale development accelerates, the region faces rising challenges, including the loss of green space, increased pollution, and threats to water quality. One of the Ohio Environmental Council’s latest reports, Large-Scale Development Trends in Central Ohio and Their Environmental Implications examines how unchecked […]

This report summarizes the discussions and outcomes of a symposium and practitioner workshop convened on April 17, 2026, to explore renewable energy siting policy and implementation. Using Michigan’s Public Act 233 of 2023 as a case study, participants examined the opportunities and challenges of balancing clean energy deployment with local governance, community engagement, and practical […]

A Graham Scholars team partnered with the Ann Arbor 2030 District to support the implementation of the city’s Energy Benchmarking Ordinance. Passed in October 2021, the ordinance requires buildings over 20,000 square feet to report energy usage by June 1, 2024—a key step toward Ann Arbor’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2030. However, many property […]

Brilliant Detroit, a nonprofit supporting families with children under eight, observed significant variations in energy and water utility costs across its 18 community-based hubs. To address this, they partnered with a team of Graham Sustainability Scholars to investigate the causes and develop practical solutions, aiming to operate more sustainably and efficiently.

The Residential Energy Efficiency Guidebook was developed to help municipal authorities and local governments in Michigan who are looking to initiate home energy efficiency programs within their communities. Drawing from insights and resources obtained from a successful program in Holland, Michigan, this guidebook provides a versatile blueprint for other communities interested in establishing similar initiatives […]

Confronting environmental change through research, education, and community collaboration

Academic institution producing campus sustainability/utility planning documents.

Renew Missouri was founded in 2006 to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency in the state of Missouri.

This film address a wide range of topics: emissions, historical climate trends, future changes, and their impacts on infrastructure, water resources, air quality, health, tourism, energy, ecosystems, agriculture, and long-range planning.

Dedicated to advancing energy performance for our regional community and planet