City Council Approves Edina's First Climate Action Plan

Edina, Minn., Dec. 9, 2021 – Energy and environment champions say Edina is now a deeper shade of green.

The City Council at its meeting Dec. 7 approved Edina’s first Climate Action Plan. The plan outlines strategies and actions to support achieving increased climate resilience, reductions in local greenhouse gas emissions and further advancement of the City’s sustainability goals.

The plan includes 200 actions that can be taken in Edina to meet goals by 2030. The City’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals are to be compatible with the 2015 Paris Agreement and target a reduction in City operations and communitywide emissions by 45 percent below 2019 levels and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Goals are arranged under the categories of Transportation & Land Use, Water & Wastewater, Buildings & Energy, Local Food & Agriculture, Green Space & Trees, Climate Health & Safety and Climate Economy.

“Approval of this plan ties past diligent work toward a healthy environment in Edina to a future where long-time community members and newcomers alike can thrive,” said Sustainability Manager Grace Hancock. “It's been a joy to provide space for this plan to be developed in a way that is welcoming and equitable, and I'm excited to build on this strong foundation of community partnership as the City begins implementing this road map for a resilient Edina.”

Development of the extensive plan took 11 months by a team of 26 people who considered feedback from almost 450 residents. The Climate Action Plan Team included residents and businesspeople Mindy Ahler, Kate Ebert, Sean Ewen, Sarah Irwin, Janet Kitui, Ana Martinez, Hilda Martinez, Lou Miranda, Jack Miller, Connie Mitchell, Rick Murphy, Bill Sierks, Paul Thompson, Gael Zembal.

For more information, visit EdinaMN.gov/Sustainability. You can view the plan here.