How City activities affect emissions
City Operations and Enterprise includes all the services and activities the City does to keep things running. Some activities create greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, like:
- Heating, cooling, and lighting City-owned buildings
- Running City facilities
- Using and maintaining City fleet vehicles
The Climate Equity Plan aims for our community to be carbon neutral by 2050. We want to lead by example by reaching zero emissions for City operations by 2040.
Climate impact
City emissions are large, which offers a great opportunity for large reductions. We hope that by leading the way, other cities and organizations will work to meet their climate goals too. The work has already begun. From 2008 to 2021, the City cut its operational GHG emissions by 62%.
Here’s what helped lower emissions:
- More renewable energy in the electric grid
- City participation in community solar gardens
- City participation in Xcel Energy’s Renewable*Connect program
- Lower energy use through more efficient buildings
Equity impact
The Climate Equity Plan supports the whole community, with a special focus on the Green Zones. These areas in North and South Minneapolis get extra help with:
- Clean energy projects
- Workforce training
- Expanding green spaces
- Protecting air quality
- Improving transportation options