Minnesota Advances State Climate Planning

May 15, 2026 in Energy Systems Authors: Amy Ward, Tricia Treece

Headwaters of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca in Minnesota. Bright sunny day, with calm waters and green forest in the background.

Statewide climate action plans are becoming a core part of planning, policy, and program implementation for many states across the US. As more states develop and periodically update these plans, climate leadership is evolving to include not only ambition for greenhouse gas reductions but also the ability to translate those ambitions into coordinated, durable action. This shift requires more than technical analysis or policy design. It requires processes that help diverse stakeholders navigate challenges, link evidence to decision-making, and align on practical paths forward. Continue reading »

Climate and Sustainability Data and Metric Tracking Tools for Communities

July 29, 2021 in Communities Authors: Abby Finis, Jessi Wyatt

st. paul minnesota

Climate change is here, it is wreaking havoc, and no community is immune from its impact. Summer 2021 alone saw heavy flooding across the globe, including in the United States. Fire clouds started wildfires across Alberta, and the US and Canada saw record-breaking, debilitating heat and equally extreme drought. As communities struggle to cope, there is growing recognition that local and place-based action is essential to addressing climate change. For this reason, the Great Plains Institute is excited to share new planning tools we’ve developed to help communities in the US succeed on climate action.

Continue reading »

Northfield Climate Action Plan Puts City on Path to Reach Ambitious Targets

February 26, 2020 in Communities Authors: Abby Finis, Jenna Greene

In November 2019, the City of Northfield joined several other Minnesota communities in adopting the Northfield Climate Action Plan. Northfield’s efforts are an excellent example of a small city setting ambitious climate goals and planning for long-term resilience. Action on climate at all scales, from small to large cities, is critical to achieving state, national, and global carbon reduction targets. Continue reading »

Capital City Commits to Climate Action with New Plan

February 11, 2020 in Communities Author: Abby Finis

Saint Paul Climate Action and Resilience Plan post photo of Saint Paul skyline

The last agenda item at the final city council meeting of the decade in Saint Paul, Minnesota was the adoption of the Saint Paul Climate Action and Resilience Plan. After more than 30 residents stood in line to publicly share their support for the plan for Minnesota’s capital city, the council unanimously voted to adopt it. It was a momentous and triumphant moment and there is much for the city to be proud of. Continue reading »