1 Introduction

1.1 Overview

Cities throughout the Twin Cities Region are well aware of the pressing need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the resilience of their communities in the face of climate change and many, including Minneapolis, have already begun implementing various strategies and initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint and increase their ability to withstand the impacts of a changing climate.

These efforts range from adopting renewable energy sources and energy-efficient technologies to implementing transportation policies that encourage using electric or low-emissions vehicles to promote land use practices that support the retention and expansion of natural habitats.

By taking action at the local level, local governments in the Twin Cities contribute to the global effort to mitigate the worst effects of climate change and build a more sustainable and equitable future.

This report aims to support the City of Minneapolis in considering potential strategies for reducing carbon emissions. The Metropolitan Council is expanding the information and technical assistance it provides to local governments to support regional and local climate change planning.

1.2 Impact of Climate Change in Minnesota

The climate in Minnesota is changing, leading to more extreme rain events, heat waves, and drought. These changes will have significant impacts on transportation, waste water services, and water resources in the region.

Extreme heat events will increase water demand, leading to higher energy use, treatment costs, and lower efficiency in water supply systems. More extreme rain events will lead to more erosion, rainwater runoff, and flooding, disrupting transportation operations and damaging sewer and storm-water systems. Drought will lead to lower groundwater levels, stressed water resources, and more algal blooms and fish kills. These impacts will disproportionately affect marginalized communities and require the region to adapt and become more resilient to these changes.

Each city or town may contribute a small portion of statewide emissions, but collective action on every local level is essential to change our overall climate future.

1.3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Greenhouse gases (GHG) trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are the most common greenhouse gases. Human activities have been the primary driver of climate change by releasing greenhouse gases in large amounts. Combustion of fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil, and natural gas) releases greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere, causing temperatures to rise.

The primary sources of emissions in cities come from building energy use (electricity and natural gas), transportation (gas and diesel), and waste (methane at landfills or combustion for energy generation).

1.4 Scenario Planning

Scenario planning is a method to make flexible long-term plans. It is a way of thinking about and preparing for the future by considering possible events and their potential impact on a city or region. This method allows organizations to be more flexible and adaptable in uncertainty and change.

The Metropolitan Council has developed a Greenhouse Gas Scenario Planning Tool to help metro area cities and towns determine pathways to achieving emissions reductions. The Greenhouse Gas Scenario Planning Tool looks at strategies across multiple sectors and calculates the emissions reductions that can result.

The Metropolitan Council is working toward launching an interactive and easy-to-use online version of this scenario planning tool. The following report compiles the City of Minneapolis results based on the Greenhouse Gas Scenario Planning Tool created by the Metropolitan Council and adapted from the collaborative work between the Sustainable Healthy Cities Network and the Metropolitan Council.