Greenhouse Gas Goals
Committed to climate action, Oakland County will reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2035 and reach net-zero by 2050.
Resident Resources
Providing resources and educational materials for residents looking to promote sustainability in their homes and communities.
Municipal Resources
Providing sustainability resources, grant opportunities, and educational materials for local municipalities within Oakland County.
Programs & Accomplishments
SolSmart Bronze Certification
Oakland County received bronze certification for its work to encourage solar energy use in local communities.
Greenhouse Gas Inventory
The Office of Sustainability completed an internal inventory of greenhouse gas emissions across county properties.
Oakland SAVES
Oakland County provided funding assistance to over 1,100 households throughout the county for home energy upgrades.
Michigan Green Communities (MGC) Certification
Oakland County received gold status certification for climate action steps taken in 2024.
The initiatives led by the Office of Sustainability aim to help Oakland County achieve its goal of reducing internal greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2035 and reaching net zero by 2050. Read the Oakland County Sustainability Plan ›
Community Conversations: Sustainability Conference 2025 Recap
In November, the Office of Sustainability hosted the 3rd annual Community Conversations: Sustainability Conference at the White Lake Oaks Event Center. The event brought together 57 local officials, regional partners, and municipal staff for a day of collaboration and dialogue on sustainability priorities, including stormwater management, energy efficiency, materials management, funding and resource assistance, emergency management, and climate action planning.
Attendees participated in two breakout sessions: Sustainability 101 for Elected Officials, led by Dr. Amanda Herzog, and an interactive project working session tailored to municipal staff.
The keynote address was delivered by Alessandra Carreon, Chief Climate Officer for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). She shared updates on the State of Michigan’s ongoing work to advance the Healthy Climate Plan.
The Office of Sustainability looks forward to hosting the next municipal conference in 2026.
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News
Coulter Appoints Julie Lyons Bricker Chief Sustainability Officer as County Earns Gold from Michigan Green Communities Program
- Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter has appointed Julie Lyons Bricker as chief sustainability officer to help lead the county toward net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
- Lyons Bricker brings more than two decades of sustainability leadership, project management and public service experience to her new role.
- Under her leadership as sustainability project manager, Oakland County was recently awarded Gold Certification by the Michigan Green Communities (MGC) program.
Pontiac, Mich. – Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter has appointed Julie Lyons Bricker as the chief sustainability officer who will move the county toward its bold vision to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Lyons Bricker brings more than two decades of experience in sustainability leadership, project management and public service to her new role. Her career spans both public and nonprofit sectors, previously serving as Oakland County’s sustainability project manager. She also held dual roles in the City of Royal Oak as energy and sustainability manager and executive director of the Royal Oak Civic Foundation.
“Julie is the right leader to guide us forward as we build a more sustainable and resilient future,” Coulter said. “Her leadership will help us accelerate our sustainability goals in meaningful ways that benefit the county government, our communities and future generations.”
Lyons Bricker’s qualifications are underscored by her professional credentials and education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from Michigan Technological University and has completed the Executive Education for Sustainability Leadership program at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and LEED AP in Operations and Maintenance.
“I'm delighted Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter has appointed me to be the county’s next chief sustainability officer,” she said. “I look forward to leading our internal and external sustainability and resiliency efforts and the many opportunities we have to make a substantial difference in the region.”
Under Lyons Bricker’s leadership, in her previous role as the county’s sustainability project manager, Oakland County was awarded Gold Certification by the Michigan Green Communities (MGC) program for its leadership in environmental sustainability, climate resilience and community engagement. The recognition was announced as part of the 2024 Michigan Green Communities Challenge, which saw a record number of local governments across the state participate.
Oakland County earned gold status for significant progress across several categories including resource protection, green buildings, hazard mitigation, flooding and stormwater mitigation, energy efficiency improvements and environmental stewardship. Notable achievements include the implementation of countywide green infrastructure practices, continued investment in energy efficiency upgrades at county facilities, expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, programming for Oakland County homeowners to make energy efficiency improvements to their properties and robust community engagement through programs.
Oakland County joins 42 Michigan communities that earned gold certification in the 2024 MGC Challenge. The program recognized a total of 68 local governments, with six achieving bronze status, 18 earning silver and two communities reaching platinum. Oakland County is working hard to benchmark and track sustainability data with the goal of reaching platinum status within the next two years.
The Michigan Green Communities program is a free statewide initiative that supports local governments in making measurable progress toward sustainability goals. Backed by a coalition of state agencies and local government associations, MGC helps communities strengthen their infrastructure, improve public health, reduce environmental impact, and enhance economic competitiveness.
For more information about Oakland County’s environmental initiatives, visit oakgov.com/sustainability.