A2Zero Carbon Neutrality Plan

Ann Arbor is expecting progress towards its sustainability goals in 2026. Advancement on the voter-approved Sustainable Energy Utility will continue, and with the 2030 deadline rapidly approaching, more work is to be done to move ahead with the goals and aspirations of the city’s A2ZERO Carbon Neutrality plan. On the first "Issues of the Environment" of 2026, WEMU's David Fair explores the environmental year ahead with Ann Arbor’s Sustainability and Innovations Director, Missy Stults.

A lot of folks are about to hit the road or the airports with Christmas right around the corner. Gregory Keoleian is the director of the U-M's Center for Sustainable Systems. He joined WEMU's David Fair to talk about how best to minimize our carbon footprint and still get to where we want to go.

A2ZERO’s Home Energy Advisor (HEA) Program has hit a milestone of helping over 500 households find ways to save money on energy and make their homes more sustainable. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the story.

We are well into the holiday shopping season now. Analysts predict there will be more spending this year than last, despite all of the economic uncertainty around the country and here at home. There are ways to cut down on spending and to help the environment at the same time. WEMU's David Fair talked with Samuel McMullen from Ann Arbor-based Zerowaste.org about sustainable gift giving on a pre-holiday edition of "Issues of the Environment".

WEMU's David Fair is joined by Marquee Arts cinema programming director, Nick Alderink, to talk all things movies! This time around, they take a moment to remember Diane Keaton, who passed away on October 11th. They also preview the newest film offerings arriving at your favorite movie houses.

The sun is helping some local residents identify the quality of the air. The City of Ann Arbor has launched a network of ten solar-powered air quality monitors placed across the city. Residents can now track local conditions through a publicly available online map and subscribe to receive station-specific alerts when air quality reaches "Unhealthy” levels. How does it work and what does it mean for the future? Find out in a conversation between WEMU's David Fair and Sean Reynolds, senior analyst for the city’s Office of Sustainability and Innovations.

2025 marks the 25th year of the Green Fair in Ann Arbor. The event was initially called "The Mayor's Green Fair." Now, it is called the A2Zero Green Fair to reflect the city's initiative aimed at reaching carbon neutrality by the year 2030. WEMU's David Fair and Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor discuss the impact of a quarter-century of Green Fairs and the path forward to a healthier and more sustainable community.

We’ve had plenty of hot days this summer, but what happens to the environment when concrete and asphalt surface temperatures heat well into the 100’s? Keenan Gibbons and his team at SmithGroup wanted to find out and used drones to study heat patterns along Huron Street in Ann Arbor. The research on heat islands has led to some determinations about how to mitigate impact and help move the city towards its carbon neutrality goals. Gibbons joined WEMU's David Fair to explain the research and its findings.

Rental properties in Ann Arbor will soon have to meet new energy efficiency standards. Ann Arbor City Council approved the Green Rental Housing Ordinance on July 16th. Some landlords and housing advocates raised concerns that it will drive rental prices even higher. Missy Stults is director of the city’s Office of Sustainability and Innovations. She says that’s not the case and explains why in her conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

Ann Arbor City Council has made a significant step towards its A2Zero initiative as the Green Rental Housing Ordinance and the formation of the Sustainability Commission have been given the green light. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.