The inaugural Michigan Healthy Climate Conference of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), coordinated by their office of climate and energy (OCE), will take place on April 11 and 12 at Huntington Place.

            OCE Climate and Energy Advisor Cory Connolly says the conference will motivate as many as 500 stakeholders in business, industry, labor and communities; nonprofits and advocacy groups; local, state and tribal governments; and proponents of equity and environmental justice to meet the plan’s challenges.

            It sets an overarching goal of a 100 percent carbon-neutral economy by 2050, with 2030 benchmarks for electric vehicle infrastructure, recycling, energy justice, clean energy generation and more. After a process that gathered input from hundreds of Michiganders, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the plan on April 21, 2022. The OCE is responsible for its implementation.

            The event will feature speakers, panel discussions, breakout sessions, workshop roundtables, networking opportunities and more, focused around reaching the 2030 targets in six core areas: clean the electric grid; electrify transportation and increase public transit; repair and decarbonize homes and businesses;  drive industrial innovation; protect Michigan’s land and water; and commit to environmental justice and pursue a just transition.

Location: One Washington Blvd., Detroit. Register at egle.idloom.events/MI-Climate-Conference/register.