Clean Fuels Michigan’s Post

As we commemorate Juneteenth, a day of profound historical significance, I am reminded of the essential role that justice and equity play in all aspects of our society, including our stewardship of the environment. Juneteenth, marking the end of slavery in the United States, serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring journey towards freedom and equality for all. At the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, we are committed to integrating these principles into our work every day. Environmental and climate justice are at the forefront of our mission as we strive to ensure that all Michigan communities, especially those historically marginalized, benefit equitably from our environmental policies and initiatives. EGLE’s investments in environmental justice include robust community engagement, targeted grant programs, and partnerships aimed at addressing disparities in environmental health and access to clean air, water, and green spaces. We are dedicated to mitigating the impacts of climate change that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations and to fostering resilient communities across the state. As we reflect on Juneteenth, let us reaffirm our commitment to advancing justice in all forms. Together, we can build a more equitable and sustainable future for Michigan. #Juneteenth #EnvironmentalJustice #ClimateJustice #Sustainability #EGLE #Equity #Michigan

𝗖𝗘𝗚 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽! In case you missed it, our Business Development Executive, William Rupp, was at the League of California Cities recently. 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: The League of California Cities has been dedicated to the advancement of California's cities and towns since 1898. In addition to legislative advocacy, public education, and technical assistance, it provides essential resources to city officials. 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹’𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 our team of experts at CEG can assist your municipality.  #climateaction #sustainability #renewables #energyefficiency #cityplanning #localgovernment #buildings #construction #innovation #technology #ESCO #CEGSolutions    𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆'𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆? 🌱

For the past two years, students at Johns Hopkins University have been busy implementing a $25 million, 5-year project called the Baltimore Social-Environmental Collaborative. The initiative is part of a larger $66 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop “Urban Integrated Field Laboratories” in three U.S. cities. https://loom.ly/YVcxQBk

Check out how the State of Michigan positioned their leadership in clean energy and sustainability at the 2025 World Economic Forum in this captivating video.

EGLE has launched the second cohort of the MI Healthy Climate Corps (MHC Corps). This program aims to develop a skilled network of climate professionals dedicated to advancing the MI Healthy Climate Plan's goal of achieving a carbon-neutral Michigan economy by 2050. Corps members are placed with various host organizations, including state agencies, local governments, universities, and nonprofits across Michigan, where they will work on projects such as developing resources for residents, enhancing the clean energy workforce, and building climate action capacity in communities statewide. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eWFAUK8Q MSU University Outreach and Engagement Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Last night, I had the pleasure of joining an incredible panel of experts for Swinburne University of Technology 2024 Chancellor's Oration, including Julian Critchlow, Paul Gilding and Dan Cass. Beverley O'Connor facilitated this panel, drawing out experiences and insights from government, industry, NFP and the community. We discussed the need to radically accelerate Australia's transition to net zero and create competitive advantage in the process. I was able to draw on the experiences I have had at Unilever and also WWF. As leaders, we need to get real about the complexity of this challenge and the urgency needed to act. Feeling overwhelmed is normal - if this was easy, we’d have already achieved it. But while cost of living pressures, disruptions in supply chains, the AI revolution, and political/social divides make it tempting to defer this issue, we cannot postpone action any longer. The reality is, sustainability alone is no longer sufficient. We need to see a commercialisation of innovation that will reshape industries and transform communities at scale: these are the actions that will define a sustainable future for both business, and Australia. So, what must proactive leaders do differently? There is enough noise on this topic to make anyone's mind explode with confusion on how to act. Those who know me, understand I like to keep things simple. So here are my 4 "I"s to Impact: 1. Intention: Commit to clear, science-backed goals and act with transparency. Embrace a mindset and actions that allows you to drive profit and purpose in equal measure as this can be a source of competitive advantage for a business when you do both. 2. Investment: Bridge the gap between intent and action by allocating dedicated resources, eliminating wasteful costs, and closing the say-do gap. Kill your darlings! 3. Innovation: Approach sustainability with a whole-business mindset, viewing it as a real value driver and business resilience activity. Avoid the “whack-a-mole” approach by considering the flow-on impact of every decision. 4. Integration: Embrace the ecosystem - my Scope 3 is someone else’s Scope 1, which means collaboration, policy frameworks and incentives are imperative to driving real change across the value chain.  Embracing interdependence will help us move faster. We must prioritise progress over perfection. To make change, we each need to embrace our role in the change. It is human nature to defer it and while it’s easier to hope someone else will drive it, the time to act is now. As Chancellor John Pollaers OAM, put it every house, business and industry working together is the key to ensuring a sustainable climate future! #Innovation #ClimateChange #Sustainability #NetZero  https://lnkd.in/gnWCfqnA

Michigan is uniquely positioned to lead the fight against the climate crisis, and the entire state, country and world is watching, ready to root us on. Right now, the 2025 World Economic Forum is taking place in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland and the conversations will revolve around ‘Safeguarding the Planet.’ To coincide with this global event, the MEDC unveiled a short film that aired on CBSNews.com to put a spotlight on our state’s leadership in clean energy and sustainability. Michigan has a lot to tout, including our ranking as a top state for clean energy job growth — 2x the rate of U.S. employment — as well as our state’s national leadership with the most IRA-backed clean energy projects. Plus, through our public engagement work, we know that young people want to live in communities that are taking action to combat climate change. Michigan checks that box in so many ways. Michigan workers and families, along with all the talent coming to Michigan to join our ranks, are leading the way with an abundance of opportunities to make a difference, not only for their futures, but for the good of our planet and generations to come. Watch the full film here: https://lnkd.in/gpGVVK6Q #ClimateLeadership #SustainableMichigan #CleanEnergy #LetsGrowMichigan

Grateful to Elizabeth Andrews for including me in the conversation with mHUB and community leaders on the role of philanthropy in the intersection of climate change and opportunities for Chicago. This is an important conversation as we continue to move forward towards our vision of sustainable mobility at International. Top takeaways: 🌉 Build Bridges: Whether that means addressing the spatial mismatch of jobs and talent or closing the gap between resources and innovation, the key opportunity is to be a connector. 🤲 There is power in convening: The simple act of gathering to discuss the issues in front of us with all stakeholders ensures that we are broad in our thinking and multiplying our impact. We are truly better together. 🌱 Hope Wins: In the midst of the biggest issue of our lifetime, the innovative approaches from within our own communities to address climate issues are truly inspirational and deserve to be at the forefront.

Calling all investors! 🌳 Did you know that there are approximately 3 Trillion trees in the world, by 2050, we could be down to just 2.5 Trillion trees? This decline poses significant threats to our environment, including soil erosion, poor air and water quality, increased flooding, pandemics, and greenhouse gas emissions. As an advocate for sustainable solutions, I have developed a pilot program over the past 2 years aimed at tackling this critical issue. I believe that collective action is key in safeguarding our future. Imagine if each person on Earth planted just 4 trees - in a decade, we could offset our carbon dioxide levels, creating a natural CO2 absorption system and fostering cleaner air for all. I am seeking funding for this initiative and am reaching out to individuals who share my passion and concerns. Your support and expertise are crucial in making this vision a reality. Together, we can make a significant impact on the environment and ensure a greener, healthier future for generations to come. 🌍💚 #Sustainability #EnvironmentalProtection #InvestInOurFuture https://lnkd.in/eU45gxqF

This past year I had the honor to serve on the Higher Ed Climate Action task force with The Aspen Institute to develop an incredible action plan. The Higher Ed Climate Action Plan is a comprehensive action plan that identifies the pivotal opportunity for higher education to lead climate solutions, adapt to our changing climate, and prepare students for success in a sustainable, resilient, and just society. 🎓🌱 To maximize impact, federal, state, and local policymakers, businesses, philanthropy, and community based organizations must work jointly with higher education. The Higher Ed Task Force heard from experts and leaders across the country and have identified recommendations, bright spots, and insights towards building a sustainable future through collaboration and innovation. 🌎💡 Read the report here: https://bit.ly/4d816mw