HomeMy WebLinkAboutEdina Climate Action PlanClimate Action Plan
December, 2021
Prepared by:
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Top Climate Actions
Section 01 Introduction
Benefits of Climate Action Planning
Climate Change and Impacts
Edina’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Edina’s GHG Emission Reduction Goal
Planning Process
Equity and Inclusion
Plan Framework
Plan Impacts
Section 02 Transportation and Land Use
Section 03 Buildings and Energy
Section 04 Waste Management
Section 05 Water and Wastewater
Section 06 Local Food and Agriculture
Section 07 Greenspace and Trees
Section 08 Climate Health and Safety
Section 09 Climate Economy
Section 10 Climate Actions and Implementation
Appendix 1 Supporting Research
Baseline and Strategic Goals Recommendations Report
Climate Vulnerability Assessment
Community Wide GHG Inventory
Ground Cover, Tree Canopy, and Carbon Sequestration Study
Community Wide Solar Energy Potentials Study
Appendix 2 GHG Business as Usual (BAU) Forecast Assumptions
Appendix 3 Edina Climate Infographics
Appendix 4 Cumulative Potential Cost Savings Assumptions
Appendix 5 Abbreviations and Glossary of Terms
Appendix 6 References
Appendix 7 Acknowledgements Photo: Nick Ortloff via Flickr
Letter from the City of Edina
Energy and Environment Commission
This summer has been without a doubt the hottest in Edina, and it looks like fall and winter will follow
a similar path. Climate change is no longer a thing of the future, it is happening today, and it is
affecting our community.
The discussion of climate change has been taking place for more than three decades, but it has been in
the last four to five years that we have started to see its impact firsthand. We can no longer go on pre-
tending that the problem is happening somewhere else and that we, at the local level, don’t have
enough power to do our part. We are currently at a point in time where we need to make transforma-
tional changes at all levels of society in order to avoid more severe and devasting impacts.
Since 2007, climate change has been a topic discussed by the Energy and Environment Commission,
but it was not until 2019 that the Commission was charged with the task of evaluating the need for a
Climate Action Program (CAP) for the city. Since the need was evident, the City Council agreed to de-
velop it.
By addressing eight subsectors, through 36 strategies, supported by 200 actions, the CAP sets a 2030
road map for the city of Edina to be able to not only tackle climate change but also jointly achieve envi-
ronmental well-being, economic growth, and social equity.
The Energy and Environment Commission is proud of the role it played in moving this topic to the high-
est level of the city’s agenda and thanks all the members of the Climate Action Planning team that ac-
tively participated in the process of making this plan a reality.
With the publication of this ambitious Climate Action Plan, Edina once again shows its commitment to
sustainability with its residents and leading the way as a green progressive city.
Signed,
Hilda Martinez
Chair
The Energy & Environment Commission
°
°
1895 2020 Minnesota’s Annual Temperature Trends
Each stripe represents the temperature Minnesota averaged over a year1. Blue = Below Average Red = Above Average
The City has a tradition of being a leader in
addressing sustainability and environmental
issues. For over a decade, Edina has made sig-
nificant strides towards improved community
sustainability. In 2011, Edina joined the
MPCA’s GreenStep Cities program. Minnesota
GreenStep Cities is a voluntary challenge, assis-
tance and recognition program to help cities
achieve their sustainability and quality-of-life
goals. In 2021, Edina achieved “Step 5” in the
program, the highest level available.
The community has become increasingly con-
cerned about the global climate crisis. In 2020
the City kicked off its Climate Action Planning
effort and in January of 2021 engaged
paleBLUEdot for the development of the City’s
first Climate Action Plan. The plan outlines
strategies and actions to support achieving
increased climate resilience as well as reduc-
tions in City of Edina municipal and community
-wide GHG emissions. This report is the result,
developed in collaboration with the City’s Cli-
mate Action Planning Team.
Our Challenge
The complex systems that make up modern civilization result in stressors on the delicate balance
of our ecosystems. The combustion of fossil fuels is warming earth’s atmosphere and changing our
climate. Climate change is already affecting Edina and its impacts are projected to become much
more severe in the coming decades2. These impacts also contribute to additional strain on vulner-
able populations, social systems, and overall community resilience3.
Our Opportunity
The impacts of cities represent a major sustainable development opportunity. Transformation of
our energy system is essential in order to stop burning fossil fuels. This transition presents an op-
portunity for Edina. Directing our energy investments into renewable sources will make them
more resilient and provide for local job creation 4,5. Innovation, technology, and collective social
change inherent in climate action can also support greater community abundance and shared eq-
uity.
The Vision
This Climate Action Plan will help those who live and work in Edina imagine and achieve a future
where the earth and all who live on it thrive.
GHG Emission Reduction Goal in Global Context
To validate the appropriateness of the City’s Cli-
mate Action Plan emissions reduction goal, the rec-
ommendations of the International Panel on Cli-
mate Change (IPCC) were considered. The scientific
consensus of the most recent IPCC recommenda-
tions is that it is necessary to reduce global GHG
emissions at a pace that will limit global warming to
1.5°C. The Paris Agreement affirms this recommen-
dation by aiming to limit global warming to 1.5°C to
2°C above pre-industrial levels, considered to be
the threshold for dangerous climate impacts.
The UNEP Emissions Gap Report published in No-
vember 2019 asserts that by 2030, global green-
house gas (GHG) emissions will need to be 25% to
55% lower than 2018 emissions levels to put the
world on the pathway to limiting global warming to
below 2°C or 1.5°C respectively by 20306.
GHG Emission Reduction Goal in Local Context
Locally, both the State of Minnesota and
Hennepin County have established GHG
emission reduction goals. These goals
have also been considered in this planning
effort.
The State of Minnesota’s 2007 bipartisan
Next Generation Energy Act requires
“Statewide GHG Reductions of 30% from
2005 levels by 2025, 80% from 2005 levels
by 2050.”
Hennepin County goals established in the Coun-
ty’s 2021 Climate Action Plan guides the county
“to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45%
from 2010 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero
emissions by 2050.”
Our Carbon Reduction Goal
This plan seeks to re-affirm the City’s commit-
ment to reduce GHG emissions and support the
County and State emissions reductions goals.
These State and local commitments were ac-
counted for in the formulation of appropriate
carbon reduction goals for Edina:
The City of Edina’s GHG emission
reduction goals are to be compati-
ble with the 2015 Paris Agreement
and shall target a reduction in City
operations and community-wide
emissions of 45% below 2019 levels
by 2030 and achieve net zero emis-
sions by 2050.
Path of Anticipated GHG emissions
levels if we do not act.
Path of GHG emissions reductions
by implementing our CAP plan.
Avoided GHG Emissions
Climate Action Plan as Living Plan
This Climate Action Plan is intended as a “living
plan” rather than a static document. This
means that the implementation phase of this
plan should be characterized by intermittent
measurement of progress and plan adjust-
ments. As a “living plan,” the 2030 emission
reduction goal should be seen as a guiding con-
stant and recognition should be given that ini-
tial implementation actions may not yet fully
achieve plan goals. Intermittent plan progress
measurements and adjustments should identi-
fy additional actions, or increases in action im-
plementation targets as needed to meet the
ultimate 2030 GHG reduction goal.
Next Steps and Implementation
This Edina Climate Action Plan is only the begin-
ning of an on-going process to evaluate and ad-
vance the City’s climate resilience, GHG emis-
sions, and overall sustainability goals. The plan
includes a Climate Action Implementation sec-
tion providing a framework for launching, guid-
ing, monitoring, and evaluating the execution of
this plan. The implementation section outlines
specific next steps, and important implementa-
tion considerations and recommendations. As
performance data and outcomes are uncovered
during the implementation phase, adjustments
to quantitative goals, milestones, and detailed
actions will be made responsively.
Transportation and Land Use
TL 1- 2 Accelerate building on-street and off-street protected bike lanes,
sidewalks, crosswalks, and other walking infrastructure in high-need
areas and fill connectivity gaps as identified in the City's Bike and
Pedestrian Master Plan.
TL 2- 1 Advocate with Metro Transit to improve efficiency, convenience, fre-
quency, and reliability of bus service. (see implementation plan for
more detail)
TL 4- 1 Create an Electric Vehicle (EV) Action Plan. (see implementation plan
for more detail)
Buildings and Energy
BE 1- 1 Partner with established Energy Audit/Energy Efficiency Program(s)
to accomplish significant residential energy efficiency improvements
and make the program accessible to all Edina residents, including
reduced participation costs for low income households. Goal: 460
households annually (see implementation plan for more detail)
BE 1- 2 Work with Xcel Energy, Centerpoint Energy, Minnesota Chamber of
Commerce and other partners to establish commercial/industrial
energy efficiency audit and upgrade program. Goal: 15% of commer-
cial/industrial buildings by 2030 achieving a 20% efficiency increase
per location. (see implementation plan for more detail)
BE 3- 2 Explore the development of renewable energy program(s) which in-
crease utilization of on-site / in-community renewable energy while
creating benefit for low-income community members. Goal: 16,000
MWh clean energy delivered through programs annually by 2030
(see implementation plan for more detail)
BE 4- 1 Coordinate and promote a residential and small business
"Electrification and Energy Efficiency/Weatherization" group pur-
chase campaign annually to help reduce the costs of energy efficient
no/low carbon heating systems through volume purchasing power.
Goal, 300 households and 75 businesses annually (see implementa-
tion plan for more detail)
Water and Wastewater
W 3- 4 Fund and construct the Morningside Flood Infrastructure Project, and
complete preliminary concepts, prioritize and schedule mitigation
projects for next 3-4 major flood risk areas.
Local Food and Agriculture
LF 1- 2 Support existing school and community gardens and provide oppor-
tunities to expand community growing spaces with a focus on youth,
immigrant, and people with lower incomes or who are experiencing
food insecurity. (see implementation plan for more detail)
LF 2- 1 Conduct a detailed Food Security Assessment to determine food inse-
curity conditions within the City, areas with limited access to full ser-
vice grocery stores and markets (see implementation plan for more
detail)
Greenspace and Trees
GC 1- 3 Identify strategic locations for increased tree planting capable of
meeting long-term canopy goals and develop long range implementa-
tion program based on the City's 2021 Ground Cover, Tree Canopy,
and Carbon Sequestration Study and the goals of this CAP. (see im-
plementation plan for more detail)
GC 2- 1 Complete a Land Conversion Opportunity Study supporting the
ground cover goals included in this CAP. (see implementation plan for
more detail)
Climate Health and Safety
HS 2- 3 Establish a protocol for providing assistance to vulnerable popula-
tions (see implementation plan for more detail)
Climate Economy
CE 4- 2 Identify a sustainable funding source for the goals and actions of this
CAP in support of low-income residents such as energy efficiency
projects, mobility and low-carbon transportation, and high quality
local food programs.
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return to TOC
The City has a tradition of being a leader in
addressing sustainability and environmental
issues. For over a decade, Edina has made sig-
nificant strides towards improved community
sustainability. In 2011, Edina joined the
MPCA’s GreenStep Cities program. Minnesota
GreenStep Cities is a voluntary challenge, assis-
tance and recognition program to help cities
achieve their sustainability and quality-of-life
goals. In 2021, Edina achieved “Step 5” in the
program, the highest level available.
The community has become increasingly con-
cerned about the global climate crisis. In 2020
the City kicked off its Climate Action Planning
effort and in January of 2021 engaged
paleBLUEdot for the development of the City’s
first Climate Action Plan. The plan outlines
strategies and actions to support achieving
increased climate resilience as well as reduc-
tions in City of Edina municipal and community
-wide GHG emissions. This report is the result,
developed in collaboration with the City’s Cli-
mate Action Planning Team.
What is a Climate Action Plan (CAP)
Climate action plans are comprehensive road maps that outline the specific Strategies and Actions
that a City will implement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to related cli-
matic impacts. The Edina CAP addresses both climate mitigation and climate adaptation actions.
Why Create a Climate Action Plan
The creation and dedicated implementation of a Climate Action Plan (CAP) is an organized way for
a City to contribute to solving the global climate crisis. CAPs can also help a community’s resident
and business communities create improved resilience to the current and future impacts and risks
of climate change. Climate action can also create investment in innovation, jobs and actions that
save households and businesses money while improving quality of life—particularly among the
community’s most vulnerable populations.
Plan Document Support of Edina Plans
This Climate Action Plan leverages, supports, and expands on the City’s other recent planning
efforts. The strategies and actions included in this report relate closely to the foundational work
already completed by the City, including Vision Edina 2040, the 2016 Xcel Energy “partners in ener-
gy” effort which produced the City’s Electricity Action Plan, Edina Flood Risk Reduction Strategy,
and the Edina Comprehensive Plan.
Research Based Climate Action Plan
In support of establishing the goals, strategies, and actions included in this plan, paleBLUEdot also
produced a Greenhouse Gas Inventory, a Climate Vulnerability Assessment, a city-wide Solar Re-
newable Energy Potentials Study, a community wide Ground Cover, Tree Canopy, and Carbon Se-
questration Study, and a Climate Action Baseline Assessment. These assessments created the
foundation of the Climate Action Planning process.
Co– Benefits of Climate Action Planning
According to the World Health Organization,
studies are increasingly showing that the imple-
mentation of climate policies leads to both cost
savings and improvement in health. The actions
communities take to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions in various sectors, including housing,
transportation and energy, have many co-
benefits that go beyond climate change mitiga-
tion. These co-benefits to climate planning in-
clude reduced air pollution, substantial human
health gains and reduced health risks, increased
resource efficiency, improved local economic
security, and improved resilience of ecosystems
and our built environment.1,2,3,4 These benefits
result in positive financial impacts, improved
quality of life, and natural resources.
Positive Financial Impacts
Many climate actions have a direct positive fi-
nancial impact (e.g. savings from reduced fuel
consumption). Many actions also have signifi-
cant indirect financial impacts. Studies show
that air pollution benefits of climate actions can
cover a significant part of the cost of those initi-
atives. 5 Still others help avoid costs through
increase resilience such as the reducing depend-
ence on fossil fuels – estimated at $5 per metric
ton of GHG reduction.6 Health benefits may
offer the most significant financial opportunity.
One study estimated global average health co-
benefits of $58-380 per metric ton of GHG.
Improved Quality of Life
The actions included in this and other climate
action plans support a continued improvement
to the community’s quality of life. Studies indi-
cate that successful implementation of many
climate actions will result in increased mobility
options, job creation, and reductions in poverty
and inequality. 8
Improved Natural Resources
Addressing global warming could help lessen
the harmful impacts of climate change on the
ecosystems that now provide us with multiple
benefits. 9 Increasing the Edina’s community
wide tree canopy to meet the goals of this cli-
mate action plan, for instance, could increase
the economic benefit provided by the city’s
trees by as much as $60 million while other ac-
tions can result in improved access to green-
space for residents. 10
Reduced Costs
Improved Energy
Resilience
Jobs / Economic
Development
Improved Public
Health
Reduced Traffic
Congestion
Reduced Pollution
Safer Streets
Improved Community
Resilience
Improved Social
Connectivity
Protected / Enhanced
Ecosystems
Improved Quality of
Life
Improved Mobility
Improved Air Quality
Improved Community
Equity
Common Co-Benefits of Climate Planning
Climate Change in Minnesota
Climate change is a global phenomenon that creates local impacts. It presents one of the most pro-
found challenges of our time. A broad international consensus exists among atmospheric scientists
that the Earth’s climate system is being destabilized in response to elevated levels of greenhouse
gas emissions in the atmosphere. Two changes to Minnesota’s climate are occurring already:
shorter winters with fewer cold extremes, and more heavy and extreme precipitation.
Climate Change in Edina
The climate in the City of Edina has already changed. From 1980 through 2018, the City has experi-
enced an increase in annual average temperature, an increase in the number of days above 95 de-
grees, an increase in the number of heavy rain events, and a decrease in the number of days below
32 degrees .12,13
Some of the most significant changes in the climate relate to variability. Climate variability can be
seen in the changes in annual precipitation for Edina. Overall annual precipitation has increased,
however, this increase is not evenly distributed throughout the year. Fall and Winter precipitation
have increased up to 15.5%, while Spring and Summer precipitation have remained nearly un-
changed 14,15.
The City’s climate is anticipated to continue to warm through this century and beyond. Precipita-
tion is anticipated to likely increase in all seasons particularly in the Spring and Fall. The primary
changes to climate characteristics for the City include:
• Warmer annual average temperatures with a more significant warming in winter months.
• Increase in extreme heat days.
• Increase in heavy rain fall events, with increase in flood potential.
• Increase in time between precipitation with increase in drought potential.
• Greater variability in temperature and precipitation trends.
°
°°
Flooding
According to the latest National Cli-
mate Assessment, the frequency of
heavy precipitation events has al-
ready increased for the nation as a
whole as well as for Minnesota spe-
cifically. These heavy rain events are
projected to increase throughout
Minnesota. Increases in both ex-
treme precipitation and total precipi-
tation are likely to increasingly con-
tribute to over-bank flooding (river
and lake flooding) as well as flash
flooding.
Food Insecurity
Climate change is likely to destabilize
cropping systems, interrupt trans-
portation networks and trigger food
shortages and spikes in food cost.
Infrastructure Failure
Extreme weather events, flooding
and flash flooding, as well as increas-
ing daily stresses caused by increas-
ing climate variability all represent
potential causes of failure of our ag-
ing infrastructure. Power outages,
road damage, bridge collapse, water
infrastructure failure - each of these
represent significant physical climate
risks to the community, especially
individuals who are climate vulnera-
ble.
Climate Risks to Edina
The projected changes to the City’s climate in
the coming decades represent potential risks to
residents. These risks are inequitably felt and
are particularly acute in populations especially
vulnerable to them such as children, seniors,
and those with disabilities – see the Edina Cli-
mate Vulnerability Assessment for more infor-
mation. Below are some of the more signifi-
cant risks to the City’s population:
Extreme Heat and Weather:
Certain groups of people are more at
risk of stress, health impacts, or death
related to Extreme Weather events
including tornadoes, wind storms,
lightning, winter storms, hail storms,
and cold waves. Vulnerability to heat
stress can be increased by certain var-
iables including the presence of health
conditions like diabetes and heart
conditions, demographic and socioec-
onomic factors, and surrounding land
cover.
Air Quality
Climate change is expected to affect
air quality through several pathways,
including production and potency of
allergens and pollen, and increase
regional concentrations of ozone, in-
creased potential of smoke from wild-
fires, increase in particulate air pollu-
tion, and dust.
* Figure does not include in-
creased healthcare costs due to
increased illness and disease, nor
increased property damage due
to increased extreme weather
events.
Per Ton
Metric Tons
Annual Cost Impact
Energy
Emissions are produced from
the combustion of heating
fuel, natural gas, coal, and
other fossil fuels primarily for
heating, cooling, and electric-
ity generation.
Transportation
Emissions come from
the combustion of
fossil fuels for ground
transportation and air
travel.
Solid Waste
Emissions in the waste
management system
come from the decompo-
sition of biodegradable
waste (e.g., food and yard
waste) in the landfill.
Water + Wastewater
Emissions from energy
uses are calculated for
treatment and distribu-
tion of water and the
collection and treatment
of wastewater.
Key Greenhouse Gas Sectors
Where do GHGs come from?
Sunlight
When sunlight strikes the Earth,
it warms the surface and be-
comes heat energy – or infrared
energy. This infrared energy then
radiates back towards space.
Our atmosphere is made up of
both Non-Greenhouse and
Greenhouse Gases gasses.
Non-Greenhouse Gases do not
react to visible light, nor infrared
light. That means both sunlight
and infrared energy pass through
them unaffected, allowing Earth’s
heat energy to radiate into space.
Greenhouse Gases also do not
react to visible light, however,
they DO react to infrared energy,
trapping Earth’s heat energy and
reflecting it back, warming the
Earth.
What Are GHG’s?
A greenhouse gas (GHG) is a mole-
cule in the atmosphere which does
not react to light energy in the visi-
ble range (like sunlight), but does
react to light energy in the infrared
range-like that which is emitted
from the Earth after being warmed
by the sun. The most common
greenhouse gases include carbon
dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and
nitrous oxide (N2O).
Why do GHG’s Matter?
GHG’s let the sun's light shine onto
the Earth's surface, but they trap
the heat that reflects back up into
the atmosphere. In this way, they
act like the insulating glass walls of
a greenhouse. The more GHGs
there are, the more heat that is
trapped in our atmosphere and the
more we experience the impacts of
global warming.
What can we do to reduce GHG’s?
Greenhouse gases can be reduced
by making changes within the key
greenhouse gas sectors within our
community—particularly through
the reduction and elimination of
fossil fuel combustion and the ad-
vancement of clean energy sources.
Edina GHG Emissions Overview
Community wide total emissions for the City of Edina have decreased
slightly (1.5%) from 727,384 metric tons CO2e in 2013 to 716,715 metric
tons CO2e in 2019.
2019 By The Numbers 6 Year Trend Dashboard
GHG Emissions GHG Emissions Change
716,715 MT CO2e -10,669 MT CO2e -1.47%
Population Population
52,857 +4,283 +8.82%
GDP GDP
$5,253,794,747 +$754,786,815 +16.78%
$99,396 GDP Per-Capita +$6,775 GDP Per-Capita
Change in
Change in
Think Economic Develop-
ment is Tied To Increased
Emissions?
Think again! Between 2013 and
2019 the City was able to decrease
it’s GHG emissions by 1.5% while
growing it’s economy by 16.8% (pro
rata share of County reporting). 17,18
How Large Are Community wide GHG Emissions?
The community’s total emissions for 2019 are equal to 14.1
Billion cubic feet of man-made greenhouse gas. This volume
of atmosphere is equal to a cube 2,400 feet on each face
viewed here from over 2 1/2 miles away.
Our Carbon Reduction Goal
This plan seeks to re-affirm the City’s commit-
ment to the U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection
Agreement supporting emissions reductions
goals. The plan aligns itself within the IPCC sug-
gested carbon emission reduction goals associ-
ated with the Paris Agreement to limit global
warming within 1.5°C to 2°C above pre-
industrial levels. The plan also aligns with State
of Minnesota’s 2007 bipartisan Next Generation
Energy Act as well as with Hennepin County
goals as established in the County’s 2021 Cli-
mate Action Plan. These global, State and local
commitments were accounted for in the formu-
lation of appropriate carbon reduction goals for
Edina:
The City of Edina’s GHG emission re-
duction goals are to be compatible
with the 2015 Paris Agreement and
shall target a reduction in City opera-
tions and community-wide emissions
of 45% below 2019 levels by 2030 and
achieve net zero emissions by 2050.*
This community-wide goal is reflected in strate-
gies established for individual sectors. Sector
goals related to GHG emissions reductions are
designed to balance reduction across all sectors
and achieve the overall emissions goals set forth
for the community. The goals seek to strike a
balance between achievability while also
stretching for improvement beyond business-as-
usual.
State of
Minnesota
Reduce GHG emissions in the state by 30% by 2025 (from 2005 levels) and 80
percent by 2050
Hennepin
County 45% from 2010 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050
Shakopee Mdewakanton
Sioux Community To achieve community wide Net Zero emissions.
Albert Lea Reduction in City operations and community-wide emissions of 25% below
2019 levels by 2030 and 80% below by 2040
Burnsville Reduce community-wide GHG emissions 40% below 2005 levels by 2030 and
80% below 2005 levels by 2050
Duluth 80% reduction in GHG by 2050 from municipal operations compared to 2008
levels
Maplewood Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 20 percent of the City’s 2015 baseline
levels by 2050 (an 80 percent reduction).
Minneapolis 100% renewable energy for city operations by 2022 and citywide electricity by
2030
Rochester 100% renewable energy citywide by 2031 across all sectors
Rosemount 75% renewable energy
Roseville 100% renewable electricity by 2040 at municipal facilities
St Cloud 80% renewable electricity in municipal facilities
St Louis Park 100% renewable electricity citywide by 2030, carbon neutrality by 2040
St Paul Carbon neutral municipal operations by 2030, carbon neutral citywide by
2050
Winona Carbon neutral citywide by 2050
Survey of Peer Minnesota Community Carbon Reduction Goals
* Net zero emissions refers to a community for which, on an annual basis, all greenhouse gas emissions re-
sulting from community-wide operations are offset by carbon-free energy production .
The Process
The plan was developed in collaboration with a
26 person planning team of community mem-
bers, business community members, institu-
tional representatives, City commissions, and
City of Edina staff. The planning team was or-
ganized into sub-teams aligned with each of
the sectors included in this plan (see Plan
Framework). The plan was developed through
a number of planning workshops from April
2021 through September 2021. The goals and
actions identified in the Climate Action Plan are
grounded in community input, expert analysis,
and best practices from other cities throughout
the United States. Strategic goals and detailed
actions were developed, refined, prioritized,
and finalizes by the Planning Team through a
series of workshop meetings. The result of
this process is a collaboratively created, co-
authored Climate Action Plan which directly
integrates the voices of Edina residents, busi-
nesses, City staff, and representatives of under
-resourced communities within the City.
Community Engagement
The goal of the Edina CAP community engage-
ment effort was to cultivate community co-
ownership by engaging them early, often, at
various levels, in diverse ways, and facilitating
or supporting their participation in decision-
making. Eighty percent of the engagement
effort was focused on engaging traditionally
under-resourced communities who are most
vulnerable to the risks and impact of climate
change.
Community Engagement Approach
Supporting this engagement goal, the community engagement approach occurred over two phases
– the initial phase focused broadly on community concerns, ideas, and general climate plan input
while the second phase focused on providing community members with an opportunity to review
and give feedback on the Draft Climate Action Plan. Both phases of engagement included inviting
community members to take part in CAP planning activities that varied in level of commitment and
time needed for participation. This tiered engagement was meant to meet community members,
particularly under-resourced communities, where they are and supply opportunities for them to
take part at their level of interest, time, and capacity. Listed in level of time and commitment
needed, the engagement opportunities were:
Participating on Climate Action Planning Team: This was the most time intensive engagement
opportunity and empowered community members to directly shape the CAP by working
monthly with city staff and leaders.
Hosting Community Input Session: Community members worked with the paleBLUEdot team
to recruit and host an in-person or virtual listening session where community members
gave their input on the plan.
Participating in Community Input Session: Community participants attended an input session
to discuss climate action and give their feedback on the plan.
Completing Survey: participants provided their input by completing an on-line survey.
Finding Community Champions
The first step in engaging community was to identify which communities were already easy to en-
gage and which communities were harder to reach. Through conversation with Edina staff and
Census Quick Facts we found Edina likely under-resourced communities to include communities of
color, low material wealth seniors, low material wealth people with disabilities, and renters.
The paleBLUEdot team conducted four rounds of interviews with 13 individuals representing com-
munity partners. These one-on-one interviews provided an opportunity for focused input into the
planning process while helping to identify representatives within Edina’s under-resourced commu-
nities who might participate in the planning core team and/or listening sessions. As a result of this
engagement effort, four community champions were identified who each convened one or two
Community Input Sessions. These sessions supported opportunities for in-depth group dialogue
from 42 Edina residents from under-resourced communities enabling their and carefully consid-
ered input and feedback in the development of the Edina Climate Action Plan.
Engaging Edina’s Youth
The community engagement process included a specific focus on connecting with Edina’s youth.
As with the broader community engagement effort, this began with outreach and one-on-one in-
terviews with potential youth community champions. Early in the engagement effort, 22 youth-
connected community partners were engaged, including Edina Public Schools, Girl Scouts, Boy
Scouts, community non-profits, and community housing centers. Through these outreach efforts,
Edina’s youth were made aware of the City’s climate action planning effort and were invited to
participate. Two youth input surveys were distributed – one tailored to high school aged youth
and one oriented towards younger kids. In addition, youth were invited to provide their vision of
the future through submitting a Climate Story.
COVID Considerations in Engagement
It is important to note that the first round of listening sessions and early planning core team en-
gagement were as COVID restrictions were lifted earlier this Summer. Engagement was in person
and people were excited to gather, food was provided and there was social aspect to the work,
which is the gold standard for community engagement. In the second part of the engagement, the
COVID- Delta surge resulted in less in-person gatherings and more restrictions.
Finalizing Edina Plan Actions
A preliminary draft of actions were reviewed against action screening criteria which enabled the
Planning Team to evaluate, refine, finalize, and prioritize the actions to be incorporated in the final
Climate Action Plan. The screening criteria were established by the CAP Planning Team early in the
process and included:
• Impact of Implementation: How likely is it to achieve the goal? Will it impact a large portion of
the targeted emissions sector or population?
• Co-Benefits: Does the action address multiple goals, or other City or community objectives ?
Does the Action address needs in equity, resilience, public health/quality of life, economic
prosperity, triple bottom line, stewardship, and/or innovation?
• Game-Changer: Is this action “visionary”? Does it have the potential to bring about, or contrib-
ute to bringing about, a fundamental change in the way the subject of the action is thought
about or done? Does this action have the potential of helping to create a fundamental shift
towards a more sustainable, climate-smart sector (transportation, energy, adaptation, etc).
• Support: How likely is it to be adopted by the municipality or community-wide? Is it politically
feasible? Is there community support? Is it consistent with the municipal or community priori-
ties and readiness to implement?
Edina Concern Over Climate Change Impacts
According to the City’s Climate Change Survey,
68% community members are moderately,
very, or extremely concerned over potential
impacts of climate change:
No
Yes
Edina Impacted by Climate Change
According to the City’s Climate Change Survey,
68% community members have been person-
ally impacted by the effects of climate change:
Equity Focused Community Engagement
During the planning process, six focus group listening sessions as well as a series of one-on-one
interviews with community liaisons were organized to begin to build relationships, deepen under-
standing of needs, and identify best ways to partner to broaden engagement within under repre-
sented communities. These focus group listening sessions occurred in two phases.
The goal of the first phase was to gain insight into community member’s perspectives on climate
change as well as ideas on potential solutions and considerations the City should incorporate into
the plan. The second phase occurred following the development of the Draft Climate Action Plan
with the goal of collecting input on the draft plan overall as well as insight on potential equity con-
cerns and opportunities. This second phase also sought to identify potential resources and part-
ners who may be well positioned to engage with the City during the implementation phase of the
Climate Action Plan to support refinement of equity considerations and community engagement
with traditionally under represented communities.
Action Equity Impact Review
In addition to the above screening criteria, ac-
tions in all 36 strategies included in the plan
were reviewed for equity impacts using the City
of Edina’s Community Wellbeing Assessment
Tool. The tool provided CAP Team members
with a framework which reviewed each subject
action against three equity considerations. Ac-
tions were then re-crafted based on the findings
of the CAP Team members. The equity assess-
ment considerations used were:
• What are the potential positive impacts/
benefits/ access opportunities created by
this action? Who will benefit?
• What are the potential negative Impacts/
consequences/ barriers created by this ac-
tion? Who will be affected by these?
• Are there other equity factors to consider?
(inclusive language, supportive services
needed, etc.)
Inclusion and Equity in CAP Actions
Climate change disproportionately impacts Edi-
na’s most vulnerable community members in-
cluding low-income and disadvantaged popula-
tions, marginalized ethnic groups, racial minori-
ties, the elderly, the very young, and those fac-
ing challenges to their health. At the same time,
innovative climate action can be a powerful ave-
nue toward reducing inequality, sparking eco-
nomic growth, and expanding income opportu-
nities. Therefore, the strategies and actions
throughout this climate action plan have been
developed with the goal of simultaneously ad-
dressing the threat of climate change while
seeking out the benefits and opportunities cre-
ated by climate action for reducing inequali-
ty. As the impacts of climate change increase, so
does the need to implement effective strategies
and actions that ensure equity and empower-
ment for all in Edina.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Section 02 Transportation and Land Use
Section 03 Buildings and Energy
Strategy TL 1: Decrease community wide VMT by 7% by 2030.
Strategy TL 2: Double public transit commuter ridership from 3.3% to 6.6% by 2030.
Strategy TL 3: Increase average population per developed acre by 4% by 2030
Strategy TL 4: Increase battery electric vehicle (BEV) utilization to 25% of community wide rolling
stock.
Strategy TL 5: Convert municipal operations gasoline and e10 gasoline vehicles and equipment
within municipal fleet to EV's. Achieve 40% by 2030 and 100% by 2040.
Strategy BE 1: Improve total Community wide residential, commercial, educational, and industrial
building energy efficiency by 15% for electricity and 15% for Natural Gas by 2030.
Strategy BE2: Increase adoption of high performance building construction technology, achieving
5% Net Zero households and 1% Net Zero commercial properties community wide by 2030.
Strategy BE3: Reduce share of population living in high energy poverty from 29% to 12% by 2030.
Strategy BE 4: Achieve 10% residential and commercial and industrial building "fuel switching" from
on-site fossil fuel combustion to less carbon intensive, or carbon neutral sources by 2030.
Strategy BE 5: Increase renewable energy (distributed and purchased) from 1.6% to 17% of
citywide residential and commercial electric use by 2030.
Strategy BE 6: Improve total municipal building energy efficiency by 17% for electricity and 17% for
natural gas by 2030.
Strategy BE 7: Achieve 25% municipal building thermal “fuel switching" from on-site fossil fuel com-
bustion to less carbon intensive, or carbon neutral sources by 2030.
Strategy BE 8: Increase renewable energy (distributed and purchased) from 0.2% to 100% of city
operations electricity consumption by 2030.
Our Climate Action Strategies
The following is a summary of the strategies described in detail in each of the sections of this plan: This Climate Action Plan includes an implemen-
tation framework designed to achieve commu-
nity-wide goals for greenhouse gas reduction
and climate adaptation and resilience. The
plan is structured around a unifying framework
organized by eight community-wide sectors.
Each of these sector areas is described in a
separate section with background considera-
tions on the subject covered. In the beginning
of each section, there is an identification of
equity considerations that should be ad-
dressed during the ongoing implementation of
each action.
Sectors have over-arching strategies estab-
lished to meet 2030 goals and detailed actions
for implementation. Sector actions primarily
focus on Climate Mitigation, Climate Adapta-
tion, or both:
specific statements of direction
that expand on the sustainability vision and
GHG reduction goals and guide decisions about
future public policy, community investment,
and actions.
are detailed items that should be
completed in order to carry out the vision and
strategies identified in the plan.
Section 06 Local Food and Agriculture
Section 04 Waste Management
Strategy WM 1: Decrease total per capita mu-
nicipal solid waste handled 5% by 2030.
Strategy WM 2: Achieve 70% organics landfill
waste diversion by 2030.
Strategy WM 3: Increase recycling from 32% to
35% of total MSW handled by 2030.
Strategy WM 4: Increase diversion of potential
recoverables by 15% by 2030.
Section 05 Water and Wastewater
Strategy W 1: Promote increased water conser-
vation citywide with a targeted reduction of
7.5% by 2030.
Strategy W 2: Reduce GHG emissions associated
with wastewater City Wide by 25% per capita by
2030.
Strategy W 3: Mitigate and adapt to the project-
ed increased flood hazards and impacts due to
climate change.
Strategy W 4: Update design standards and
plans to meet projected climate change flood
mitigation requirements.
Strategy LF 1: Increase production of local food
and its resilience to climate shocks, particularly
serving low income and food insecure individuals.
Strategy LF 2: Increase access to local food, par-
ticularly serving low income and food insecure
individuals.
Strategy LF 3: Reduce food waste, achieve a 25%
reduction in food waste community-wide by
2030.
Strategy LF 4: Reduce the amount that the communi-
ty’s food consumption contributes to climate change.
Section 09 Climate Economy
Section 08 Greenspace and Trees
Strategy GS 1: Increase tree cover from 35.9% to
39.5% by 2030 and 43% by 2040.
Strategy GS 2: Increase pollinator supportiveness
of lawns and grasslands in City of Edina. achieve a
10% turf replacement with native or climate adap-
tive grasses and wildflowers by 2030.
Strategy GS 3: Reduce heat island effect through
citywide “dark” impervious surface reduction of
10% by 2030 and 20% by 2040.
Section 07 Climate Health and Safety
Strategy HS 1: Educate, engage, and empower the
public on health and safety risks of climate change
impacts.
Strategy HS 2 : Assist the City’s vulnerable popula-
tions in preparing for climate change impacts.
Strategy HS 3: Establish and update plans to ad-
dress climate risks and impacts.
Strategy HS 4: Strengthen community response
capacity and social support networks.
Strategy CE 1: Promote economic investment that
aligns with the Climate Economy and the goals of
the Climate Action Plan.
Strategy CE 2: Promote workforce development for
success in the climate economy.
Strategy CE 3: Encourage commercial properties
and businesses and institutions to plan for climate
resilience.
Strategy CE 4: Establish dedicated sustainable fi-
nancing for the City’s climate action implementa-
tion.
Climate Action Plan as Living Plan
This Edina Climate Action Plan is intended as
a “living plan” rather than a static document.
This means that the implementation phase of
this plan should be characterized by inter-
mittent measurement of progress and plan
adjustments. As a “living plan,” the 2030
emission reduction goal should be seen as a
guiding constant and recognition should be
given that initial implementation actions may
not yet fully achieve plan goals. Intermittent
plan progress measurements and adjust-
ments should identify additional actions, or
increases in action implementation targets as
needed to meet the ultimate 2030 GHG re-
duction goal.
Next Steps and Implementation
This plan is only the beginning of an on-going
process of evaluating and advancing the City’s
climate resilience, GHG emissions, and overall
sustainability goals. The plan includes a Cli-
mate Action Implementation section provid-
ing a framework for launching, guiding, moni-
toring, and evaluating the execution of this
plan. The implementation section outlines
specific next steps, and important implemen-
tation considerations and recommendations.
As details and outcomes are uncovered dur-
ing the implementation phase, adjustments
to quantitative goals, milestones, and de-
tailed actions will be made responsively.
City-Wide GHG Reductions by Sector by 2030
Estimated City-Wide GHG Reductions Included in This Plan
Long-term emission reduction potentials of the strategies and actions included in this plan have
been modeled based on projected energy and fuel reductions and adoption rates of renewable en-
ergy and low/no emission transportation modes outlined in the strategies and actions. From this
modeling, we know that with the successful implementation of this climate action plan, city-wide
annual GHG emissions are projected to drop 323,672 metric tons below 2019 levels by 2030. The
potential cumulative GHG emissions reductions over the 9 year implementation period are estimat-
ed at over 935,000 metric tons - an elimination of over 18.4 billion cubic feet of man made green-
house gas atmosphere resulting from this climate action plan.
= $446,323,932*
Cumulative Community-Wide
Savings Potential:
* Value does not include economic potential of
job creation and new business potential repre-
sented in the Climate Action Plan actions. (see
Appendix for more)
Social Cost of Avoided Carbon: + $55,986,020
20
1
3
20
3
0
20
1
9
Remaining Emissions
Following Reductions
City-Wide GHG Reductions Wedge Diagram
Projected Total Business
-as-Usual Emissions
Re
d
u
c
t
i
o
n
s
b
y
S
e
c
t
o
r
:
$323,119,304
Transportation Economic Potential*:
Sector Savings: $380,651,966
Sector Cost Increases: ‐$57,532,663
Potential Sector Net Cost Savings:
+ $40,171,350
Buildings + Energy Economic Potential*:
Sector Savings: $223,977,235
Sector Cost Increases: ‐$183,805,885
Potential Sector Net Cost Savings:
+ $27,047,258
Waste Reduction Economic Potential*:
Residential Savings: $21,219,114
Commercial Savings: $5,828,145
Potential Sector Net Cost Savings:
Click here to
return to TOC
Moving ourselves and our goods and services
from place to place is very energy intensive
while the vehicles we use for that mobility are
very material resource intensive. In addition
to transportation vehicles, off-road construc-
tion, recreational and lawn equipment also
consume significant amounts of fossil fuels for
their operation.
Equipment and transport systems have signifi-
cant impacts on the environment, accounting
globally for 20% to 25% of world energy con-
sumption and carbon dioxide emissions. In Edi-
na, the transportation and land use sector ac-
counts for 40.9% of citywide GHG emissions
and are projected to increase as the electricity
sector moves to more renewable energy
sources.
Many options exist for improving the sustaina-
bility of our transportation systems while im-
proving quality of life and equity. Increasing
shared transportation while decreasing use of
single-occupancy vehicles significantly reduces
the environmental impacts of transporta-
tion. Alternative transportation modes like
bicycles, eBikes, and scooters can also increase
opportunities for exercise while reducing air
pollution. Lastly, studies indicate that recent
advances in electric vehicles, car-sharing tech-
nologies and the potential for self-driving vehi-
cles underline a much more sustainable usage
of car assets that could remove up to 90% of
the vehicles from the streets while enhancing
mobility options.
Edina Transit Use
Vehicle Miles
Traveled
Population / Acre
Electric Vehicles
+ + + -
2030
Targets
Equity Considerations
• Increased opportunities for public transit and active transportation can help address health dis-
parities for many at-risk populations.
• Affordable and reliable mobility options for people with special transportation needs can signifi-
cantly improve transportation equity. Populations with special transportation needs include old-
er adults, youth, persons with disabilities, and persons with reduced incomes.
• Some neighborhoods in Edina have fewer housing and transportation options than others. This
can limit people’s choices in where they live and how they get to work or other activities. House-
holds that rely on public transit service or who rent their home will be limited in where they may
find housing that meets both needs.
Sector Goals
3.3%
6.6%
581million
540million
8.8people/acre
9.2people/acre
01%
25%
The strategies on the following pages guide our path in meeting our climate goals for the
Transportation and Land Use sector. Each strategy is supported by a series of detailed
actions to be explored and undertaken in order to carry out the vision and goals.
See Section 10 Implementation for all supporting actions.
Strategies
Today9
Strategy
TL 1
Decrease community wide VMT by 7% by 2030.
As outlined in the chart to the right, the total vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in Edina in
2019 was 581 million miles. This is an increase of 80.2 million miles, or 12.7% increase
over the seven year span. Edina has also seen a steady trend in commuter modes with
78% commuters driving alone. Decreasing commuters driving alone by 6% to match the
county-wide average would decrease vehicle miles traveled by up to 10 million miles.
Increasing opportunities and safety of bike and walking routes to schools, retail nodes,
and recreation centers can support reduced vehicle use for other types of daily trips.
See Section 10 Implementation for supporting actions.
Double public transit commuter ridership from 3.3% to 6.6% by
2030.
The map to the right illustrates the community area served by transit options and the
corresponding “Performance Score” 1. Areas of lighter color have higher performance
scores which represent a mixture of overall trips per week, number of jobs accessible,
number of weekly commuters using the transit options, and equity of transit system.
Efforts to improve efficiency, convenience, frequency, and reliability of bus service, par-
ticularly in areas less well served can increase public transit ridership.
The average commute in Edina is 19.1 minutes, or approximately 16 miles. Meanwhile,
AAA estimates that the cost per mile for operating a vehicle is $0.74. Consequently,
every 1% increase in commuter utilization of public transit in Edina may decrease vehi-
cle miles traveled by 1.6 million miles, saving an estimated $1.25 million.
See Section 10 Implementation for supporting actions.
Commuter Transport Share by Mode 20188
City of Edina Hennepin County
Strategy TL 2
Overall transit score rating at connectivity, access to
jobs, and frequency of service (Source: AllTransit)
Public Transit Performance Map
VM
T
(
m
i
l
l
i
o
n
s
)
Edina Vehicle Miles Traveled History
Strategy
TL 3
Increase average population per developed acre by 4% by 2030.
The city’s residential land use totals 5,896 acres—57.7% of the total area of the city.
This land supports a population of 51,746 for an average of 8.8 residents per residential
land use acre. The city’s community wide density, including all zoning districts is 5.06
residents per acre. The City of Edina may see a population increase of up to 16% by
2030. Studies have found that for every 1% increase in population-weighted urban
density, household travel CO2 emissions reduce by 0.12% to 0.48% 2,3. Based on these,
establishing zoning ordinances and incentives guiding future growth into options which
increase the density of existing developed land will have positive impact on decreasing
total community wide emissions per household.
See Section 10 Implementation for supporting actions.
Increase battery electric vehicle (BEV) utilization to 25% of commu-
nity wide rolling stock.
(from approximately 357 vehicles to 8200 vehicles community-wide)
According to the US Census data there are an estimated 36,600 vehicles total in the
city4. As of April 2020, Edina had 357 battery electric vehicles (BEV), and 112 plug-in
electric vehicles (PHEV)5, 6. Transitioning this rolling vehicle stock from fossil fuel com-
bustion to low and no emission alternative is critical in meeting significant long-range
emissions reductions in this sector. For every 1% of vehicles converted to EV 2,750
metric tons of GHG emissions can be eliminated annually (including emissions associat-
ed with increased electricity consumption)7.
See Section 10 Implementation for supporting actions.
Convert municipal operations gasoline and e10 gasoline vehicles
and equipment within municipal fleet to EV's. Achieve 40% by 2030
and 100% by 2040.
As of March 2021, the City of Edina has a municipal vehicle fleet of 307 cars and trucks.
Over 88% of the fleet are gasoline or diesel internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles
while 9.8% are electric vehicles including hybrid electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric
(PHEV) and battery electric (BEV). In 2019, the fleet consumed 90,700 gallons of gaso-
line and 47,900 gallons of diesel. For every 1% of the fleet that is transitioned to EV
over 122 metric tons of greenhouse gas will be eliminated7. City currently has 72 vehi-
cle replacements planned by 2025 providing an opportunity to increase the share of
electric vehicles in the fleet by as much as 6% per year.
See Section 10 Implementation for supporting actions.
Strategy
TL 4
Edina Residential Density
Strategy
TL 5
City of Edina Vehicle Fleet by Fuel Type
Estimated Cumulative Economic
Savings
Implementing many of the measures in this
plan, such as reduction of single-occupancy
auto use, can save money for the community.
The estimated community savings of the goals
for this section include:
Decrease VMT by 7%:
$221,028,599
$4,182
per capita
+
Increase EV utilization to 25%
of VMT
$102,090,705
$1,931
per capita
=
Estimated Cumulative Savings
Potential*
$323,119,304*
$6,113
per capita
* Allowances for expenses for EV purchase, and
public transit passes are included in calculations.
(see Appendix for more)
Transportation and Land Use Carbon Reduction Pathway
Planned Sector Emission Reductions
Through 2030
The strategies and actions included in this sec-
tion of the Climate Action Plan are projected to
reduce the city’s annual GHG emissions by
89,186 metric tons (MT) annually by 2030 - a
30.1% reduction over 2019 levels. Changes in
business-as-usual impacts over the same period
are anticipated to reduce an additional 68,952
metric tons. The result is a total community
wide Transportation sector reduction of 53.4%
over 2019 levels.
When compared to 2019 emissions, this is equiv-
alent to eliminating 19,396 cars from the road, or
1.7 billion cubic feet of man-made greenhouse
gas atmosphere annually by 2030.
Sector Emissions Reduction below
2019 by 2030
The total change to sector emissions include CAP
Plan reductions and business-as-usual (BAU)
emission changes as follows:
2030
137,918
Metric Tons CO2e
53.4%
below 2019
2019
293,164
Metric Tons
CO2e
2013
262,562
Metric Tons
CO2e
CAP
Reductions
30.1% 46.6%
Remaining
53.4%
Below 2019 23.3%
BAU
Reductions
Projected emissions path
without action
Click here to
return to TOC
Building energy use is a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Building Energy
sector includes all residentfal, commercial, and industrial buildings. Greenhouse gas emissions from
this sector come from direct emissions – from fossil fuels burned on-site for heatfng or cooking
needs – as well as indirect emissions – from fossil fuels burned off-site in order to supply that build-
ing with electricity. Building design plays a large role in determining the future efficiency and com-
fort of facilitfes. Increasing energy efficiency can help reduce GHG emissions and result in signifi-
cant cost savings for both homes and businesses. The Edina community can also achieve environ-
mental, social, and economic benefits through enhancements to the built environment.
Edina Residential Energy Use Profile
According to 2019 community wide data from Xcel Energy, the residentfal sector in Edina consumes
nearly 194.5 million kWh annually. This is equal to 8,719 kWh per household. The sector also con-
sumes over 20.4 million therms of natural gas annually. As outlined in the City’s 2019 GHG Invento-
ry report, residentfal electricity consumptfon per household has been steadily declining since 2013
while residentfal natural gas consumptfon per household has increased 12% since 2013, compared
to the Statewide average increase of 3.3% over the same tfmeframe.15
Edina Commercial and Industrial Energy Use Profile
According to Xcel Energy, the Edina commercial and industrial sector in 2019 consumed nearly
334.2 million kWh, equal to 7,885 kWh per job. These sectors also consume over 19.5 million
therms of natural gas annually. As outlined in the City’s 2019 GHG Inventory report, commercial
and industrial electricity consumptfon per job decreased significantly between 2013 and 2016 but
increased nearly just as much again between 2016 and 2019. Commercial and industrial natural gas
consumptfon per job has followed the same curve as residentfal natural gas consumptfon increasing
since 2016.
Citywide Renewable
Energy
Citywide Electricity
Consumption
Citywide Natural
Gas Consumption
Population in Energy
Poverty
2030
Targets
Equity Considerations
• Oflen, families that live in propertfes that
are not energy efficient are also those that
can least afford high-cost utflity bills. These
households may lack the ability to pay for
energy efficiency improvements or access
renewable energy optfons.
• Renters of both single family homes as well
as multf-family housing usually do not have
the ability to implement energy efficiency
measures to the buildings they live in to
gain the benefits of energy efficiency.
• Families with fewer resources must dedi-
cate a disproportfonately larger share of
their income towards energy costs, which
exacerbates other vulnerabilitfes including
exposure to heatwaves and other climate
vulnerabilitfes. These same families are
sometfmes forced to forego basic access to
service altogether - an estfmated 162
households in Edina go without heatfng fuel
of any type. 14
The strategies on the following
pages guide our path in meetfng
our climate goals for the Buildings
and Energy sector. Each strategy is
supported by a series of detailed
actfons to be explored and under-
taken in order to carry out the vi-
sion and goals.
See Sectfon 10 Implementatfon for
all supportfng actfons
Sector Goals
+ - - -
6%
22%
533GWH
453GWH
39.9MTherms
33.9MTherms
29%
12%
Strategies
Today9
Strategy
BE 1
Improve total community
wide residential, commer-
cial, educational, and in-
dustrial building energy
efficiency by 15% for elec-
tricity and 15% for Natural
Gas by 2030.
According to the US Energy Infor-
matfon Administratfon, homes built
between 2000 and 2009 used 15%
less energy per square foot than
homes built in the 1980s, and 40%
less energy than homes built before
19501. Consequently, this means
that retrofitting older homes with
some of these technologies pro-
vides ample opportunity to improve
energy efficiency throughout the
community. The maps to the right
illustrate the distributfon of owner
occupied and renter occupied
homes built before 1980 through-
out Edina2. Totaling 78% of owner
occupied homes and 65% of renter
occupied homes, the improved en-
ergy efficiency potentfal of housing
stock built before 1980 alone repre-
sents a significant opportunity for
reducing community-wide energy
consumptfon—partfcularly within
natural gas use.
See Sectfon 10 Implementatfon for
supportfng actfons.
Edina Owner Occupied Homes Built Before 1980
% Owner Occupied Housing Units Built before 1980
Edina Renter Occupied Homes Built Before 1980
% Renter Occupied Housing Units Built before 1980
Share of Owner Occupied Homes
Built Before 1980: 78%
Share of Renter Occupied Homes
Built Before 1980: 65%
Residential Energy Use Trends
Strategy
BE 2
Increase adoption of high-performance building construction tech-
nology, achieving 5% Net Zero households and 1% Net Zero com-
mercial properties community wide by 2030.
High-performance buildings are those which deliver a higher level of energy-efficiency
performance—typically 30% better than buildings designed to meet code—while Net
Zero buildings are high-performance buildings which also generate as much energy on-
site as they consume3,4. Based on the City’s recent new building permit history (shown
to the lefl), as much as 16% of the city’s housing stock and 7-10% of the city’s commer-
cial building stock may be renovated or replaced over a 10 year tfmeframe. This means
that a significant portfon of the city’s building infrastructure could be positfvely influ-
enced through climate actfon strategies that guide increased adoptfon of cost effectfve
high-performance and Net Zero energy building practfces.
See Sectfon 10 Implementatfon for supportfng actfons.
Reduce share of population living in high energy poverty from 29%
to 12% by 2030.
A household’s energy burden—the percentage of household income spent on energy
bills—provides an indicatfon of energy affordability. Researchers define households
with a 6% energy burden or higher to experience a high burden5. People experiencing
energy poverty have increased vulnerability to health issues, partfcularly those associat-
ed with indoor temperature extremes6. As the frequency and severity of extreme
weather events in Edina escalates due to climate change, those living with energy pov-
erty will be increasingly vulnerable to climate change. Energy efficiency and renewable
energy can lower energy bills for low-income households while also improving health
and climate adaptatfon outcomes by improving indoor air quality, safety, and resilience.
In the United States, however, adoptfon of energy sector climate actfons can increase
energy inequity. Studies have indicated energy efficiency projects in low-income neigh-
borhoods can cost up to twice what they do in more aftfuent neighborhoods7. In addi-
tfon, some of the mechanisms used to advance renewable technology such as tax subsi-
dies can increase energy inequity8. Nearly 1 in 8 households in Edina are low income,
meaning that increasing equitable access to energy efficiency and renewable energy
can not only reduce energy poverty in the community but it also represents a notable
portfon of the emissions reductfon potentfal in the City.
See Sectfon 10 Implementatfon for supportfng actfons.
Strategy BE 3
Three Year New Building Construction
Permit History in Edina
Housing Building Permits: 231
Housing Units: 1,032
(4.8% of citywide housing stock)
Commercial Building Permits: 10
(2.2% of commercial building stock)
Commercial Renovatfon Permits: 611
Income Distribution of Households In Edina
(based on 2019 US Census Data)
Low Income Households In Edina
(based on 2019 US Census Data)
Edina Homes with Utility Gas Heat
(for year 2018)
Strategy BE 4
Achieve 10% residential and commercial and industrial building
"fuel switching" from on-site fossil fuel combustion to less carbon
intensive, or carbon neutral sources by 2030.
Within Edina, approximately 78% of residentfal heatfng is provided by natural gas,
17.7% by electricity, 1.5% by propane gas, 1.5% by “other”, and 0.5% by fuel oil2.
As Edina’s electric grid nears carbon neutrality, building heatfng fuel will become an
increasingly important target for emission reductfons. Reductfon, and ultfmately the
eliminatfon of all fossil fuel heatfng (oil, propane, natural gas) will be required in order
to achieve community wide carbon reductfons9.
See Sectfon 10 Implementatfon for supportfng actfons.
Increase renewable energy (distributed and purchased) from 2% to
17% of citywide residential and commercial electric use by 2030.
The GHG emissions associated with grid provided electricity use is antfcipated to contfn-
ue to reduce over the years10. Including a focus on consumer driven renewable energy
purchases, however, is stfll a critfcal need to meet our GHG reductfon goals. For resi-
dents and businesses that are unable to install on-site solar, purchase of renewable en-
ergy through Xcel Energy provides those property owners an opportunity to achieve
Net Zero electricity use while supportfng an important mechanism in cleaning the
State’s electric grid11,12. Meanwhile, for owners of propertfes well suited for solar, in-
creasing utflizatfon of on-site renewable energy has multfple benefits for a community
beyond GHG emissions reductfons. The range of community benefits of increased on-
site renewable energy include energy cost savings and increased energy resilience po-
tentfal. As of 2019 there were 1,250 households and 10 businesses purchasing renewa-
ble energy through Xcel and 91 households and businesses with on-site solar.
See Sectfon 10 Implementatfon for supportfng actfons.
Strategy BE 5
Edina Residential Heat Fuel Used by Type
(for year 2018)
City of Edina’s Solar Share
Based on 2021 Data:
State Edina Edina's
Share
Populatfon 5,640,000 51,746 0.92%
Number of Solar Installatfons 7,544 91 1.21%
Solar Installatfons /1,000 households 1.35 4.17 308.98%
Solar Generatfng Capacity (MW) 1,507.93 1.74 0.12%
Average Array Size (KW) 199.88 19.09 10%
Solar Industry Businesses 146 3 2.05%
City of Edina’s Solar Impact
Based on 2019 Data:
On-Site Solar Share of Electricity Used 0.5%
Renewable Energy Purchases
Share of Electricity Used 1.2%
Households purchasing renewable electricity
through utflity 1,250
Businesses purchasing renewable electricity
through utflity 10
Strategy
BE 6
Improve total municipal building energy efficiency by 15% for electricity and 15% for natural gas by 2030.
Based on facility energy use intensity comparisons with similar municipal facilitfes, the City of Edina facilitfes may have as much as 22,641,000
kBTU in annual energy savings potentfal.13 Cost effectfve energy efficiency upgrades will provide both GHG reductfon as well as annual oper-
atfng cost savings benefit. See Sectfon 10 Implementatfon for supportfng actfons.
Achieve 25% municipal building thermal “fuel switching" from on-site fossil fuel combustion to less carbon
intensive, or carbon neutral sources by 2030.
On-site natural gas combustfon represents over 23% of all City of Edina municipal operatfons GHG emissions annually9. As Edina’s electric
grid nears carbon neutrality, building heatfng fuel will become an increasingly important target for emission reductfons. Reductfon, and ultf-
mately the eliminatfon of all fossil fuel heatfng (oil, propane, natural gas) will be required in order to achieve community wide carbon reduc-
tfons.9 Initiating a fuel switching program for City facilities is an important priority to achieve significant City operations emissions reductions.
See Sectfon 10 Implementatfon for supportfng actfons.
Increase municipal renewable electricity utilization from 0.2% to 100% of city operations electricity con-
sumption by 2030.
The City has 676.8 KW of installed solar on City facilitfes, including 664 KW of community solar in which the electricity produced is consumed
by multfple subscribers. Identffying additfonal solar installatfon potentfal, including ground mounted arrays, "carport" arrays, and remaining
cost effectfve rooflop array locatfons can increase the City's renewable energy portiolio. On-site renewable installatfons also provide the
City an opportunity to explore the development of micro-grid, energy storage, and other strategies to increase the energy resilience of City
facilitfes. See Sectfon 10 Implementatfon for supportfng actfons.
Strategy BE 7
Strategy BE 8
=
Estimated Cumulative Economic
Savings
Implementfng many of the measures in this
plan, such as increased energy efficiency and
renewable energy, can save money for the
community. The estfmated community sav-
ings of the goals for this sectfon include:
+
Commercial/Industrial Energy
Efficiency and Renewable
Energy Savings
$18,197,595
$429
per job
Estimated Cumulative Savings
Potential*
$21,978,433*
$416
per capita
* Allowances for expenses for energy efficiency
upgrades are included in calculatfons.
(see Appendix for more)
Buildings and Energy Carbon Reduction Pathway
Planned Sector Emission Reductions
Through 2030
The strategies and actfons included in this sec-
tfon of the Climate Actfon Plan are projected to
reduce the city’s annual GHG emissions by
134,997 metric tons (MT) annually by 2030 - a
33.6% reductfon over 2019 levels. Changes in
business-as-usual impacts over the same period
are antfcipated to reduce an additfonal 25,710
metric tons. The result is a total community
wide Buildings and Energy sector reductfon of
40% over 2019 levels.
When compared to 2019 emissions, this is equiv-
alent to eliminatfng 29,359 cars from the road, or
2.6 billion cubic feet of man-made greenhouse
gas atmosphere annually by 2030
Sector Emissions Reduction below
2019 by 2030
The total change to sector emissions include CAP
Plan reductfons and business-as-usual (BAU)
emission changes as follows:
2030
240,443
Metric Tons CO2e
40%
below 2019
2019
402,150
Metric Tons
CO2e
2013
445,448
Metric Tons
CO2e
CAP
Reductfons
33.6%
60%
Remaining
40%
Below 2019
6.4%
BAU
Reductfons
Residentfal Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy Savings
$3,780,838
$170
per household
Projected emissions path
without actfon
Click here to
return to TOC
Citywide municipal solid waste (MSW) handled has been estimated based on the city’s pro-rata
share of Hennepin County-wide solid waste collected. In 2019, citywide MSW totaled 54,041 tons.
Of the MSW handled an estimated 17,263 tons (31.9% of total) were recycled, 5,775 tons (10.7%)
were organics collection, 18,927 tons (35%) were incinerated to produce energy—also known as
refuse derived fuel (RDF) - and the remaining 12,076 tons (22.3%) were landfilled.
Edina Solid Waste Per Capita Trends
Based on Hennepin County and State of Minnesota data, total community-wide MSW handled in
2013 was equivalent to 4.83 pounds per person per day with landfilled waste comprising 1.2 pounds
(24.8%). By 2019 the community-wide MSW handled increased to 5.6 pounds per person per day
due in large part to increased organics and recycling collection, however, landfilled waste share of
the total increased to 1.25 pounds per person per day. Though this 2019 landfilled waste share is a
lower percentage of the total (22.3% down from 34.8%), the estimated increase in landfilled volume
per person indicates a potential trend resulting in increased GHG emissions.
2030
Targets
Sector Goals
- + +
54,041tons
51,000tons
5,775tons
10,250tons
17,263tons
19,000tons
Total MSW Handled
Organics
Diversion
Recycling
Equity Considerations
• Accessibility to recycling and composting
programs may not be equally and readily
available to all community residents and
may also be impacted by other participation
-related barriers, including awareness of
programs, user fees, accessibility based on
housing type, and language barriers.
• Populations that are situated very close to
the landfill or composting facility may expe-
rience nuisance issues like bad odors and
potential health issues unless mitigation
actions are implemented.
The strategies on the following
pages guide our path in meeting
our climate goals for the Waste
Management sector. Each strategy
is supported by a series of detailed
actions to be explored and under-
taken in order to carry out the vi-
sion and goals.
See Section 10 Implementation for
all supporting actions.
Strategies
Today9
Strategy
WM 1
Decrease total per capita municipal solid waste handled 5% by 2030.
The MPCA has established a waste management hierarchy based on the overall environ-
mental impacts of each approach1. The hierarchy prioritizes waste reduction, reuse, recy-
cling, and organics recovery. Simply put, the less waste we generate by reducing the ma-
terials we consume and discard, the less energy is consumed in making those materials
and the less greenhouse gas emissions are generated at the landfill. Homes and busi-
nesses that reduce their waste can save hundreds of dollars annually2,3,4. Continuing to
establish policies and operational refinements to advance meaningful landfill diversion
and beneficial use of waste streams represents a significant environmental opportunity
for Edina.
See Section 10 Implementation for supporting actions.
State of Minnesota Waste Management Hierarchy
SMSC Organics Recycling Facility , processing location for organics collected in Hennepin County
Achieve 70% organics landfill waste
diversion by 2030.
(from 5,775 tons to 10,250 tons diverted)
Decomposition of organic compounds is the larg-
est generator of methane in landfills, and at near-
ly 1/3rd of mixed waste collection in the County it
represents a significant opportunity for Edina5,6.
See Section 10 Implementation for supporting
actions.
Increase recycling from 32% to 39% of
total MSW handled by 2030.
(from 17,263 tons to 19,000 tons diverted)
Edina residents have a high participation rate for
recycling. However, the Hennepin County waste
sort indicates opportunities for increased capture
of paper, plastics, and aluminum6.
See Section 10 Implementation for supporting
actions.
Increase diversion of potential recov-
erables by 15% by 2030.
(decreasing from 14.7% to 12.5% of city waste)
Diversion of potentially recoverable materials,
particularly electronics and textiles offers an op-
portunity to reduce pollution, energy, and water
consumption through the supply chain serving
Edina.
See Section 10 Implementation for supporting
actions.
Strategy WM 2 Strategy WM 3 Strategy WM 4
Potential
Recoverables: 14.7%
Other: 21.3%
Potential
Recyclables: 35%
Compostables:
29.1%
Hennepin County Waste Characterization Study
In 2015, Hennepin County initiated a comprehensive, quantitative
evaluation to understand the make up of the current waste stream
(materials not diverted through recycling or organics collection) and
how it may be possible to achieve the 75% state-mandated diversion
goal. In the graph to the left, the findings of the composition of the
waste characterization study are shown. This graph groups the classi-
fications of waste defined in the 2015 study into broad categories
based on their diversion potential including: Compostables, Potential
Recyclables, Potential Recoverables, and Other.
Waste Diversion Potential
Based on the Hennepin County Waste Characterization Study, there
may be waste diversion potential of up to 78.7% in the current land-
filled materials (idealized maximum). To the right is the breakdown
of the estimated total maximum potential waste diversion (excluding
waste reduction).
The three strategies below seek to capture more of this potential.
=
Estimated Cumulative Economic
Savings
Implementing many of the measures in this
plan, such as reduction of food and material
waste, and overall consumption, can save
money for the community. The estimated
community savings of the goals for this sec-
tion include:
+
Commercial/Industrial Waste
Reduction Savings
$5,828,145
$138
per job
Estimated Cumulative Savings
Potential*
$27,047,258*
$511
per capita
* See Appendix for Cumulative Potential Cost Savings
Assumptions and data sources.
Waste Management Carbon Reduction Pathway
Planned Sector Emission Reductions
Through 2030
The strategies and actions included in this sec-
tion of the Climate Action Plan are projected to
reduce the city’s annual GHG emissions by 6,900
metric tons (MT) annually by 2030 - a 57.3% re-
duction over 2019 levels. Changes in business-as
-usual impacts driven by projected population
growth, however, are anticipated to increase
2,669 metric tons. The result is a total communi-
ty wide Waste Management sector reduction of
35.1% when compared to 2019 levels.
When compared to 2019 emissions, this is equiv-
alent to eliminating 1,501 cars from the road, or
135 million cubic feet of man-made greenhouse
gas atmosphere annually by 2030.
Sector Emissions Reduction below
2019 by 2030
The total change to sector emissions include CAP
Plan reductions and business-as-usual (BAU)
emission changes as follows:
2030
7,815
Metric Tons CO2e
57.3%
below 2019
2019
12,047
Metric Tons
CO2e
2013
10,050
Metric Tons
CO2e
CAP
Reductions
57.3% 64.9%
Remaining
35.1%
Below 2019
-22.2%
BAU
Increases
Residential Organics/Food
Waste Diversion Savings
$21,219,114
$951
per household
Projected emissions path
without action
Click here to
return to TOC
- -
Water is at the core of climate change and sustainable development. Quality water is vitally im-
portant for socio-economic development, maintaining healthy ecosystems, and for human survival.
Water is central to the production and preservation of a wide range of services benefiting people.
How we process water is also linked to our greenhouse gas emissions. Water and wastewater relat-
ed GHG emissions total 9,353 metric tons in Edina annually1.
Water is also at the heart of adaptation to climate change. Over 2,000 households, nearly 1 in 10
homes, in Edina are at risk for flooding today2. Climate change will increase the likelihood of
drought combined with additional heavy rain events, flooding, and flash flooding3. Climate change
will also increase stress on our water systems, increase water pollution potential, and place more
risk on maintaining safe water resources. Water is an irreplaceable, critically important resource
fundamental to the well-being of our communities. Water can only be considered renewable with
high quality best water management practices in place.
2030
Targets
Sector Goals
1.97BGallons
1.8BGallons
337
LBS / person
253
LBS / person
Potable Water
Consumption
Wastewater GHG
Emissions (per Capita)
Equity Considerations
• Low-income neighborhoods frequently
suffer more damage from flooding, accord-
ing to studies by the National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering and Medicine
(Framing the Challenge of Urban Flooding in
the United States, 2019). The frequency and
magnitude of heavy rain events is expected
to increase as a result of a changing climate,
making the future flooding impacts for at-
risk neighborhoods potentially more acute.
• Disadvantaged communities within cities
often have denser populations, more imper-
vious surfaces, and less open/green spaces.
These areas can also be prone to flooding
and sewer overflows. Stormwater manage-
ment through the creation of open, green
spaces serve to revitalize and promote
health within these disadvantaged commu-
nities.
The strategies on the following pages
guide our path in meeting our climate
goals for the Water and Wastewater
sector. Each strategy is supported by
a series of detailed actions to be ex-
plored and undertaken in order to
carry out the vision and goals.
See Section 10 Implementation for all
supporting actions.
Strategies
Today1
Strategy
W 1
Promote increased water conservation citywide with a targeted re-
duction of 7.5% by 2030.
Based on Edina Public Works data, water consumption citywide decreased 18.9% from
2013 to 2019. Wastewater generation, however remained essentially constant showing a
modest 1.1% reduction over the same period. Though the reported water reduction is
significant, there is likely additional water conservation potential. According to studies,
on average, 12% of municipal water distribution is lost through leaks in water mains and
water pipes on private property4. For Edina, this could represent up to 236 million gal-
lons of water annually.
See Section 10 Implementation for supporting actions.
Reduce GHG emissions associated with wastewater City Wide by 25%
per capita by 2030.
Wastewater GHG emissions were 8,079 metric tons for processing 1.986 billion gallons of
water in 2019. This is equal to 337 pounds per person in 20191. Wastewater emissions
can be reduced through use of renewable energy for collection and processing needs as
well as through strategies addressing biogenic emissions—release of methane through
biological processes.
See Section 10 Implementation for supporting actions.
Mitigate and adapt to the projected increased flood hazards and im-
pacts due to climate change.
According to the US National Climate Assessment, the ten rainiest days can contribute up
to 40% of the annual precipitation in the Minnesota region5. By 2070, the Edina area can
anticipate an increase of up to 15% in the total annual precipitation. In addition, the
timeframe between rains is expected to continue to increase. Under this scenario, it is
likely that certain periods of the year, like spring, may be significantly wetter with storms
producing heavier rains. In anticipation of that, it is appropriate to review the areas of
the city with flood risk and to review current storm water management capacity against
future extreme rainfall event projections. Increases in impervious cover can dramatically
increase the impact of so-called 100-year flood events. Neighborhoods in Edina have im-
pervious surface coverage as high as 65%, illustrating that actions reducing impervious
surface coverage as one of the important adaptation avenues.
See Section 10 Implementation for supporting actions.
For a City the size of Edina,
reducing water leaks by 50%
alone could save:
236 Million
gallons of water
annually.
Estimated Water Consumption Breakdown
Strategy W 2
Strategy
W 3
Impervious Surface Coverage in Edina
Water and Wastewater Carbon Reduction Pathway
Planned Sector Emission Reductions
Through 2030
The strategies and actions included in this sec-
tion of the Climate Action Plan are projected to
reduce the city’s annual GHG emissions by 2,688
metric tons (MT) annually by 2030 - a 28.5% re-
duction over 2019 levels. Changes in business-as
-usual impacts driven by projected population
growth, however, are anticipated to increase
2,072 metric tons. The result is a total communi-
ty wide Water and Wastewater sector reduction
of 6.4% when compared to 2019 levels.
When compared to 2019 emissions, this is equiv-
alent to eliminating 585 cars from the road, or
53 million cubic feet of man-made greenhouse
gas atmosphere annually by 2030.
Sector Emissions Reduction below
2019 by 2030
The total change to sector emissions include CAP
Plan reductions and business-as-usual (BAU)
emission changes as follows:
2030
8,757
Metric Tons CO2e
57.3%
below 2019
2019
9,353
Metric Tons
CO2e
2013
9,325
Metric Tons
CO2e
CAP
Reductions
28.5%
93.6%
Remaining
6.4%
Below 2019
-22.2%
BAU
Increases
Projected emissions path
without action
Strategy
W 4
Update design standards
and municipal plans to meet
projected climate change
flood mitigation require-
ments.
Transportation infrastructure in the met-
ropolitan area has typically been de-
signed based on the national standard
using Atlas-14 precipitation estimates
which analyze the historical frequency of
heavy rainfall events through 2011 .
Preparing for climate change impacts will
require use of projections reflecting an-
ticipated increased precipitation and
heavier rainfall events.
The City has begun this important
work through the development of
the Flood Risk Reduction Strategy
outlining a framework for approach-
ing improved structural flood risk
throughout the community.
See Section 10 Implementation for
supporting actions.
Click here to
return to TOC
Transporting food across long distances burns fossil fuels and emits greenhouse gases. The extend-
ed period of time of long-distance transport increases the need for refrigeration. Refrigeration is
carbon-intensive. The less transportation and refrigeration needed to supply us our food, the more
sustainable it becomes.
Buying food from local sources can reduce the carbon intensity of our diet while also supporting
your small business local economy. Studies have indicated that nearly 32 jobs are created for every
$1 million in revenue generated by produce farms involved in a local food market, compared to only
10.5 jobs for those involved in wholesale channels exclusively1. Meanwhile, the outdoor and social
activity supported by community gardens and increased gardening in neighborhoods have social
and community benefits like increasing social cohesion, providing multi-generational activity, sup-
porting outdoor low-impact exercise, and support of plant/animal/pollinator habitat. 11
Our food system is also vulnerable to impacts of climate change2. These vulnerabilities include
physical impacts like extreme precipitation and heat, crop and livestock vulnerabilities like animal
heat stress, biological impacts like increasing invasive insect infestations, interruptions to natural
annual cycles, and socioeconomic impacts. Today, food insecurity—disruption of nutrition availabil-
ity because of lack of money, access, or other resources—is inequitably felt: people experiencing
low income are nearly three times more likely to experience food insecurity3. We should anticipate
that the climate change vulnerabilities of our national food system will exacerbate the inequities of
food security in all communities.
Equity Considerations
• People in low-income neighborhoods may
have limited access to full-service super-
markets or grocery stores - an area known
as a “food desert.”
• Studies have also shown that communities
with fewer resources often have more out-
lets that promote unhealthy dietary behav-
iors such as fast food restaurants, and little
access to affordable nutritious food. This
condition is known as a “nutrition desert.”
• New programs created in local food sys-
tems may perpetuate inequities that are
defined by the dominant population, ignor-
ing rather than addressing the disenfran-
chisement of marginalized people in our
food system. These programs often unin-
tentionally leave out the same voices as the
industrial food system. People who cannot
afford to “buy local” or organic may be ex-
cluded4.
The strategies on the following pages
guide our path in meeting our climate
goals for the Local Food and Agricul-
ture sector. Each strategy is support-
ed by a series of detailed actions to be
explored and undertaken in order to
carry out the vision and goals.
See Section 10 Implementation for all
supporting actions.
Strategies Climate Hazards
Hazards to the local food and agriculture sys-
tem include reduced crop quality and yield,
vulnerability to pests and soil moisture as well
as fluctuation in availability, food price volatil-
ity and change.
Opportunities
Increased capacity of local food and agriculture
systems and improved farm-to-table approach-
es can reduce community food insecurity while
creating local jobs and improved community
resilience.
Strategy
LF 1
Increase production of local food and its resilience to climate shocks,
particularly serving low income and food insecure individuals.
As a national system, the US agriculture system is also vulnerable to regional climate im-
pacts5 . Pacific states are particularly sensitive to reduced water supplies, warmer win-
ters, and more variable spring weather. Grain production is vulnerable to more variable
weather, warmer winters, heat wave, and hot summer nights and flooding in the Great
Plains and the Midwest. Beef, pork, and poultry production is vulnerable to increased fre-
quency and intensity of extreme weather in the Great Plains and the Southeast as well as
sensitive to interruptions in feed, water, and power supplies that can occur with extreme
weather events and other climate change drivers.
Although all community members may feel any affects of climate change impacts on the
food system, individuals who are already experiencing low income or food insecurity will
very likely experience these affects more profoundly. Increased local food system capaci-
ty can help increase resilience, food security, job creation, and community wealth build-
ing benefits6,7. See Section 10 Implementation for supporting actions.
Increase access to local food, particularly serving low income and
food insecure individuals.
As indicated in the USDA Food Map to the right, a portion of Edina (shaded in orange)
have portions of the population who are economically stressed as well as having limited
access to transportation and living 1/2 mile or further from a grocery store.14 In addition
to this food access consideration, others in the community are experiencing food insecu-
rity due to lack of money, access to culturally appropriate foods, or other resource con-
siderations. Increasing food access will decrease food insecurity improve community re-
silience and adaptative capacity to climate impacts.
See Section 10 Implementation for supporting actions.
Strategy
LF 2
Community Gardens Per 100,000 Residents
United States:
18,000 Total (est)12
Twin Cities Metro:
600 Total13
City of Burnsville:
3 Total
City of Edina:
1 Total (City operated)
Farmer’s Market
Locations in Edina:
5.5
18.3
4.9
1.9
1
USDA Food Map
Low-income census tracts where a significant num-
ber or share of residents is more than 1/2 mile
from the nearest supermarket.
Strategy
LF 3
Reduce food waste, achieve a 25% reduction in food waste commu-
nity-wide by 2030.
Nationally, 30-40% of the food supply is estimated to be wasted8. There is an estimated 4,650
tons of food waste in Edina’s solid waste stream annually6. In addition to the greenhouse
gas emissions generated, this food waste represents an economic loss of over $6 million
every year9. Beyond reducing economic loss, food that is wasted could have benefited
families in need and the land, water, labor, energy and other inputs that went into pro-
ducing that food could have been put to more productive means. Reduction of food
waste will support Edina’s climate action goals, improve the overall sustainability of the
city, and could reduce food insecurity within the community.
See Section 10 Implementation for supporting actions.
Reduce the amount that the community’s food consumption contrib-
utes to climate change.
The production, packaging, distribution, retail, and waste generation associated with the
food system is responsible for 1/3rd of GHG emissions 10. As with most communities,
the vast majority of the food consumed is produced outside of the city and cannot be
fully accounted for in municipal GHG Inventories. However, addressing the impacts of
our food consumption that extend beyond our City boundaries is of critical importance to
global climate action. See Section 10 Implementation for supporting actions.
Strategy LF 4
The Carbon Footprint of What You Eat
GHG Emissions (Kg CO2e) per KG product:15
Click here to
return to TOC
°
Trees and natural ground cover play a central
role in supporting community health, improv-
ing air and water quality, helping to reduce
building energy use, and supporting climate
mitigation. Our understanding of the value of
trees has been expanded to include mental
and physical health benefits. Trees are critical
in filtering air, removing harmful pollutants,
such as carbon monoxide, particulate matter,
and ground-level ozone - pollutants that can
be toxic at high levels and which can cause
asthma and other respiratory impacts.
Conversely, higher levels of impervious surfac-
es (pavement and buildings) within a commu-
nity will increase the heat island of the com-
munity. Heat island refers to the phenomenon
of higher atmospheric and surface tempera-
tures occurring in developed areas than those
experienced in the surrounding rural areas due
to human activities and infrastructure. In-
creased heat indices during summer months
due to heat island effects raise human discom-
fort and health risk levels in developed areas,
especially during heat waves. Based on a 2006
study done by Minnesota State University and
the University of Minnesota, the relationship
between impervious surface percentage of a
City and the corresponding degree of heat is-
land temperature increase can be understood
as a ratio.
+ - -
2030
Targets
Today
Equity Considerations
• Lower income neighborhoods and neighborhoods with higher proportions of people of color
regularly have lower tree canopy coverage, and the environmental, economic, and quality of
life benefits trees support than more affluent neighborhoods.
• “Heat islands” and “micro heat islands” are built up areas that are hotter than other nearby are-
as. This is caused by lack of adequate greenspace and healthy tree canopy coverage combined
with too many hard surfaces like roads, parking lots, and hard building surfaces. Frequently
neighborhoods with higher vulnerable populations have the highest heat island impacts.
Sector Goals
35.9%
39.5%
25.2%
22.6%
25.5%
23%
The strategies on the following pages guide our path in meeting our climate goals for the
Greenspace and Trees sector. Each strategy is supported by a series of detailed actions
to be explored and undertaken in order to carry out the vision and goals.
See Section 10 Implementation for all supporting actions.
Strategies
Tree Canopy Cover
Turf Coverage
Dark Impervious
Surface Cover
Strategy
GS 1
Increase tree cover from
35.9% to 39.5% by 2030 and
43% by 2040.
Our tree canopy reduces storm water
runoff, provides clean drinking water,
reduces the effects of urban heat is-
lands and micro heat islands, decreas-
es energy use in our buildings, se-
questers atmospheric carbon dioxide
while serving as a long-term carbon
sink, and supports increasing economic
growth1,2,3,4,5. Increasing tree canopy
coverage and health will provide criti-
cal climate adaptation services. In-
creases should be prioritized to bal-
ance the potential for increased tree
canopy with the opportunity to im-
prove tree canopy benefit equity, po-
tential to positively impact as many
households as possible, and the need
for mitigation of heat island impacts.
The suggested tree canopy increases
by neighborhood shown to the right
prioritizes based on the following
weighted criteria:
• Potential for new trees: 20%
• Population density: 20%
• Low income density (equity adjust-
ment): 30%
• Heat island reduction need: 30%
See Section 10 Implementation for
supporting actions.
Suggested Tree Canopy Increase by Neighborhood
(in absolute land cover percentage):
Year Canopy
tree cover
(acres)
Goal
new planted
(trees)
Cover
tree canopy
(% land)
2022 3,555 6,777 36.4%
2023 3,595 6,777 36.8%
2024 3,634 6,777 37.2%
2025 3,674 6,777 37.6%
2026 3,713 6,777 38.0%
2027 3,753 6,777 38.4%
2028 3,792 6,777 38.8%
2029 3,832 6,777 39.2%
2030 3,871 6,777 39.5%
New Tree Planting Estimate
Meeting City-Wide Tree Cover Goal*
*Calculations include assumptions for existing tree growth as well as tree losses. See City ‘s 2021 Ground Cover Survey:
https://view.publitas.com/palebluedot/edina-ground-cover-survey-and-sequestration-study/
Prioritization based on
Low Income Density (equity adjustment)
Higher low in-
come density
values repre-
sent higher
potential for
increasing envi-
ronmental eq-
uity of tree can-
opy cover and
benefits.
Prioritization based on
Heat Island Reduction Need
Higher heat
island reduction
need values
represent in-
creased poten-
tial for reducing
current and
future heat
island impacts
through tree
planting.
Prioritization based on
Potential for New Trees
Higher values
represent in-
creased poten-
tial for tree
planting based
on physical ca-
pacity (available
open space,
open lawn are-
as, etc)
Strategy
GS 2
Increase pollinator supportiveness of lawns and grasslands in City of
Edina and achieve a 10% turf replacement with native or climate
adaptive grasses and wildflowers by 2030. (250 acres converted)
Replacing lawns with native grasses and wildflowers creates a more authentic, natural
American landscape that combats climate change and provides shelter and food for
songbirds and other small mammals. Compared to the typical lawn, native grasses im-
prove water quality, reduce air pollution, provide habitat restoration and protection,
and increase carbon sequestration.6,7,8.
See Section 10 Implementation for supporting actions.
Reduce heat island effect through citywide “dark” impervious sur-
face reduction of 10% by 2030 and 20% by 2040.
(250 acres reduced by 2030, 500 acres reduced by 2040).
Heat island refers to the phenomenon of higher atmospheric and surface temperatures
occurring in developed areas than those experienced in the surrounding rural areas due
to human activities and infrastructure. Increased heat island effects raise human dis-
comfort and health risk levels in developed areas, especially during heat waves which
are projected to become more severe and more common for Edina9,10. There is a direct
relationship between impervious surface coverage—particularly dark colored impervi-
ous surfaces- of a city and the amount of heat island temperature increase experience11.
Decreasing the amount of dark impervious surfaces will help decrease heat island im-
pacts in Edina. See Section 10 Implementation for supporting actions.
Strategy GS 3
Mo
r
e
L
M
I
Le
s
s
L
M
I
Trend Line Trend Line
Ground Cover Characteristics by Census Tract
Organized by Share of Low Income Population
(LMI)
The bar chart provides a side-by-side compari-
son of the of land cover by Census Tract. The
trend lines indicate census tracts with more
lower income residents have less tree and
grass coverage and more dark impervious sur-
faces. Those with higher portions of dark im-
pervious surfaces should be prioritized for re-
duction actions.
Turf Reduction Potential
93% of grass lands in Edina are manicured
lawns—representing a great opportunity for
turf reduction. Turf reduction can increase
stormwater uptake, reduce potable water use,
and increase soil carbon. The map below
shows the portion of ground cover that is grass
by Census Tract. Neighborhoods with higher
percentages of grass coverage may offer the
greatest potential for turf replacement with
native grasses and wild flowers.
Edina’s Impervious Sur-
face Coverage by Type
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°
There is a strong relationship between human
health and environmental health. From the air
we breathe to the water we drink and use, life
here on Earth depends on the natural re-
sources and the environment around us. This
link between the environment and human
health is a critical consideration of the impacts
of climate change. Changes in climate, such as
higher average temperatures and increased
storm frequency and intensity, can intensify
public health stressors1. These climate change
impacts endanger public health and safety by
affecting the air we breathe, the weather we
experience, our food and water sources, and
our interactions with the built and natural en-
vironments. As the climate continues to
change, the risks to human health continue to
grow.
In the same way local governments and the
health care industry promotes healthy behav-
iors such as eating right and exercising; agen-
cies should recognize the relationship between
climate action, environmental stewardship and
community health since the health of our envi-
ronment affects public health.
Equity Considerations—Vulnerable Populations
Climate change impacts the health of all community members, however, people within our com-
munities are differently exposed to hazards and some are disproportionately affected by the risks
of climate change. According to the National Climate Assessment, greater health risks related to
climate impacts can be experienced by some populations in our communities including children,
older adults, low-income communities, and some communities of color. Others, like children, older
adults, low-income communities, some communities of color, and those experiencing discrimina-
tion are disproportionately affected by extreme heat and weather events, and many have in-
creased health and social vulnerability which decreases their access to resources that can help
them avoid the risks of climate change. According to the National Climate Assessment2:
Additional populations with increased health and social vulnerability typically have less
access to information, resources, institutions, and other factors to prepare for and avoid
the health risks of climate change. Some of these communities include poor people in
high-income regions, minority groups, women, pregnant women, those experiencing dis-
crimination, children under five, persons with physical and mental illness, persons with
physical and cognitive disabilities, the homeless, those living alone, Indigenous people,
people displaced because of weather and climate, the socially isolated, poorly planned
communities, the disenfranchised, those with less access to healthcare, the uninsured
and underinsured, those living in inadequate housing, and those with limited financial
resources to rebound from disasters.
The strategies on the following pages guide our path in meeting our climate goals for the
Climate Health and Safety sector. Each strategy is supported by a series of detailed ac-
tions to be explored and undertaken in order to carry out the vision and goals.
See Section 10 Implementation for all supporting actions.
Strategies
Strategy
HS 1
Educate, engage, and empower the public on health and safety risks
of climate change impacts.
Education is crucial to promote climate action. It helps people understand and address the
impacts of the climate crisis, empowering them with the knowledge, skills, values and atti-
tudes needed to act as agents of change. Research shows that climate education can help
reduce emissions, while also reducing people’s vulnerabilities to acute and chronic envi-
ronmental hazards 3,4,5.
Successfully addressing climate change as a public health threat requires prevention strate-
gies including education and outreach which can help influence people's behavior to help
prevent and reduce the burden of climate change community wide—particularly upon Edi-
na’s most vulnerable communities. See Section 10 Implementation for supporting actions.
Assist the City’s vulnerable
populations in preparing for
climate change impacts.
Climate change impacts affect every-
one and City policies and actions should
consider climate adaptive needs of the
entire community. An effort to struc-
ture a prioritization should not be seen
as an attempt to discard the need to
address climate impacts for any popu-
lation within the City - whether or not it
is defined as one of the “vulnerable”
populations . Prioritization, however, is
necessary to ensure the greatest im-
pact and effectiveness of limited City
resources.
Based on the Edina Climate Vulnerabil-
ity Assessment1, the City’s adaptive
efforts may be most effective by priori-
tizing strategies which address the cli-
mate risks of Extreme Heat, Air Quality,
Flooding, Power/Infrastructure Failure,
and Food Insecurity. Particular atten-
tion should be paid to strategies which
are most effective for Elders over 65,
People of Color, and those in Economic
Stress.
See Section 10 Implementation for
supporting actions.
Strategy
HS 2
Edina Vulnerability Populations Risk Sensitivity Chart
(see Edina’s Climate Vulnerability Assessment for more information)
Strategy
HS 3
Establish and update plans to address climate risks and impacts.
Historically, State, county, and municipal plans have carefully analyzed historic data in order to
establish effective and appropriate design standards. An example of this is the common standard
of transportation infrastructure in the metropolitan area typically having been designed based on
the national standard using Atlas-14 precipitation estimates which analyze the historical frequen-
cy of heavy rainfall events through 20118. Climate change, however, is projected to create wider
variations in precipitation patterns and an increase in heavy rain events for our area —meaning
analysis of historic patterns will no longer be sufficient1.
Of course, variations in precipitation and heavy rain events are just a couple of the projected cli-
mate changes in store for Edina. Increases in extreme heat, extreme weather, vector-borne dis-
eases, air quality impacts, and other risks are anticipated1. Maintaining community plans and
design standards based on projected climate risks and impacts will be key in minimizing hazard
threats to community health and safety. See Section 10 Imple-
mentation for supporting actions.
Strengthen community response capacity and social support net-
works.
The Vulnerable Population Risk Sensitivity Chart (previous page) illustrates the instances
of vulnerability to each of these projected climate impacts by census tract. Significant
portions of the population have a likely elevated sensitivity to the anticipated extreme
heat and weather, flooding, and air quality impacts projected 1.
Studies suggest that social networks are important in times of stress. These connections
help to facilitate collective action as well as communication6. Connected communities
have a better chance of acting on climate risk management strategies, coping with se-
vere weather events and seeking out potential benefits from altered conditions. In fact,
some research indicates that people helping people may be as important as if not more
important than emergency services6. Based on this, the City of Edina can help lesson
community vulnerabilities to climate impacts through supporting improved social con-
nectivity. See Section 10 Implementation for supporting actions.
Strategy
HS 4
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Climate change and the economy are inexorably linked. Left unabated, the impacts of human-made
climate change through the end of this century will cost the United States billions of dollars. Accord-
ing to a 2019 study by two EPA scientists, the difference in economic impact between the mid-range
climate model (RPC6) and the high range climate model (RPC8.5) may account for as much as $224
billion in economic impact annually by 2090.17 According to a 2019 World Bank report on trends in
carbon pricing, a carbon price range of $40-$80 per ton is necessary as of 2020 to reach the goals set
by the 2015 Paris Agreement, while other studies have placed the full cost of carbon at $200-$400
per ton.18 Using the calculation outlined in Section 10 of the Edina Climate Vulnerability Assessment
(Projected localized annual economic impacts of climate change divided by annual community-wide
GHG emissions), an estimate minimum localized cost for carbon is $48 per metric ton.
The economy is also directly linked to climate action as well. One common concern is that climate
action damages the economy. However, climate action today avoids the future costs associated
with unmitigated climate change. Further evidence is building a clear case that acting on climate
change, and reducing fossil fuel emissions can be done without weakening the economy. Since
2013, Edina has seen community-wide GHG emissions drop 1.5% while during that same period the
community’s GDP has increased 16.8%.15,16
Economic Savings
Investments in energy efficiency, public transportation, renewable energy, and many other climate
action strategies ultimately result in cost savings for community businesses and residents.19,20,22
These savings contribute to an increase in the quality of life for residents and will largely be spent
within the community on goods and services, providing indirect and induced economic development
potential for the City.
Climate Action and Economic Development
Rather than weakening the economy, climate action can support economic development. 21 Transi-
tioning away from fossil fuel use, improvements to public transit systems, and growth of local food
industries are all, in part, a transition to local energy and labor sources. These transitions represent
opportunities for communities to reduce the community wealth that is being exported and increase
the percentage of community wealth that remains in the community in the form of local jobs. Addi-
tionally, many of the jobs potentials in Climate Action redirect funds away from less labor intensive
(but more material resource intensive) sectors of the economy to support greater overall employ-
ment combined with less resource utilization.23
Equity Considerations
• Low income individuals in our communities
are especially prone to the impacts of cli-
mate change and bear a greatly dispropor-
tionate share of the costs—including vul-
nerability to job instability that can be
brought about by extreme weather events
and other climate change impacts.
• Income inequality is rising in the US, with
September 2019 levels being the highest in
50 years—and the impacts of the COVID-19
pandemic have only increased these ineq-
uities. High inequality leads to lower life
spans, increased instances of mental health
issues, and increased obesity rates among
other social impacts. Because the impacts
and the costs of climate change are dispro-
portionately felt by vulnerable populations
and low-income individuals, climate change
impacts will exacerbate income inequality
in our communities.
The strategies on the following
pages guide our path in meeting
our climate goals for the Climate
Health and Safety sector. Each
strategy is supported by a series of
detailed actions to be explored
and undertaken in order to carry
out the vision and goals.
See Section 10 Implementation for
all supporting actions.
Strategies
Strategy
CE 1
Promote economic investment that aligns with the Climate Economy
and the goals of the Climate Action Plan.
Globally, we will need to make significant investment in climate action over the next 15 years in
order to successfully address climate goals. These investments are necessary to avoid long-term
economic damage – an Earth that is 2°C warmer due to climate change will cost the United States
at least 2.3% of our annual GDP4 – however, these investments can spur growth. Bold climate
action can create a direct economic gain of $26 trillion in the United States through 2030 com-
pared to “business-as-usual”5. On average, for every $1 in climate action investment, communities
yield $4 in benefits6. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, research has shown that strong cli-
mate action and investments can be effective ways for communities to “build back better” from
COVID while helping to secure long-term economic success7.
See Section 10 Implementation for supporting actions.
Strategy
CE 2
Promote workforce develop-
ment for success in the cli-
mate economy.
Many of the core strategies of effective
climate action – like increasing distribut-
ed solar energy and weatherization pro-
grams to improve the energy efficiency
of our buildings – are inherently local
efforts requiring workers “on-the-
ground” meaning that much of that in-
vestment can stay within our community
creating quality jobs. Workers in the
types of “green” jobs needed to support
our transition to a carbon free economy
earn higher and more equitable wages
when compared to all workers nation-
ally8. “Green” jobs also have lower for-
mal educational barriers to entry - nearly
half of workers in these “green” jobs
attain no more than a high school diplo-
ma while earning higher wages than sim-
ilarly-educated peers in other indus-
tries8. Because jobs in this sector tend
to require greater scientific knowledge
and technical skills than the average
American job, these careers often also
represent opportunities for workers to
gain skills which benefit the local work-
force long-term8. Ultimately, addressing
climate resilience can improve the eco-
nomic potential and empower disadvan-
taged individuals who have continued to
confront systemic barriers to opportuni-
ty.
See Section 10 Implementation for
supporting actions.
Example Jobs Needed in Support of the Climate Economy
Electricians
Renewable energy
designers + installers
Energy analyst
Energy law
Grid integration
engineering
Equipment
manufacturers
Sales
Energy efficiency con-
sultants
Energy auditors
Heating and air condi-
tioning installers
Contractors
(insulation, windows,
roofing, etc)
Appliance and equip-
ment manufacturers
and installers
Sales
Infrastructure
contractors
Transit drivers
Electric vehicle sales
Electric vehicle
equipment installers
Electricians +
engineers
Bike/scooter sales +
repair
Transportation
planners
Strategy
CE 3
Encourage commercial properties and businesses and institutions to
plan for climate resilience.
The serious effects of the COVID pandemic have shown how easily disruptions can lead
to cascading impacts on businesses, workers and communities. They have also shown
the potential for economic impact by significant disruptions: the World Bank calculates
that the global economy likely shrank by 4.3% in 2020 (approximately $3.5 trillion)9.
The potential economic impact of climate change is far greater than what we’ve experi-
enced with COVID10. The best case scenario – one in which the world meets the Paris
Agreement climate targets - results in an annual GDP impact by 2050 equal to the impact
of COVID. The worst case in which no appreciable emission reductions are achieved re-
sults in an annual impact more than four times greater than the COVID pandemic. The
world’s largest corporations are now including climate risk and resilience in their busi-
ness planning. Nearly half of them, including Apple, Nestle and The 3M Company have
reported climate-related financial risks of just under $1 trillion with half of the financial
risk being assessed as likely, very likely or virtually certain to materialize11.
The potential for economic disruption to small and local business is equally important.
Small businesses are central to the stability of the national economy – they account for
44% of the total economic activity and create two-thirds of net new jobs. Their im-
portance in Edina is no different - the average firm in Edina employs less than 7 people3.
Building climate resilience within the business community will not only benefit business-
owners, but also employees, households, and the community at large.
See Section 10 Implementation for supporting actions.
Potential Economic Impact of Climate
Change10
The expected impact to global GDP by 2050
under different climate change scenarios com-
pared to a world without climate change:
No mitigating actions are taken
(3.2°C increase):
Some mitigating actions are taken
(2.6°C increase):
Moderate mitigating actions are taken
(2°C increase):
Paris Agreement targets are met
(below 2°C increase):
Estimated Global Economic Impact
of COVID-19 Pandemic:9
-18%
-14%
-11%
-4%
-4.3%
Strategy
CE 4
Establish sustainable financ-
ing for the City’s climate ac-
tion implementation.
The initial need for resilience and
adaptation investments cannot be
met by the current fiscal system of
state and federal subsidies and con-
ventional local taxing powers.13 This
is not from a lack of inherent invest-
ment value but that their value does
not always fit within the traditional
financing model. Many involve short
-term costs while their full value ma-
terializes over the long-term while
others reduce future climate damage
and produce multiple future benefits,
but do not generate financial returns
for private capital. 13
Some communities have begun to
take advantage of new financing
tools like climate bonds, and commu-
nity-based public-private partner-
ships.9 Other communities have also
begun to establish Climate Funds and
emissions trading programs to crea-
tively meet the financing needs of
robust community climate resili-
ence.14
See Section 10 Implementation for
supporting actions.
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The first few years after plan adoptfon are critfcal to its success. Establishing roles, both internal and
external, and identffying funding will help establish the implementatfon phase of the plan and en-
sure the community is on track to achieve its goals. This plan includes robust goals for significant
GHG emission reductfons and addressing climate resilience. This vision requires commitment and
integratfon of the CAP into City operatfons, functfons, and services. Ultfmately, however, successful
implementatfon of this Climate Actfon Plan will require the support and commitment of Edina resi-
dents and businesses.
Climate Action Implementation is a Journey
It is not possible to have all of the detailed answers on a decade’s worth of actfons at the beginning
of the journey. The Climate Actfon Plan and its implementatfon are a journey. Although the actfons
outlined in the CAP are designed to demonstrate a pathway for Edina to achieve its climate goals,
there is much uncertainty in predictfng future technologies, costs, and regulatfons. For this reason, a
full cost-benefit analysis of every actfon is not possible at this tfme.
We antfcipate that refinement of detailed actfons will occur while they are rolled out. Accordingly,
actfons are designed to provide guidance on intent but flexibility of details and design. Actfons
which may modify/create policy or ordinances or which may have City expenses incurred should be
antfcipated to go through the City Council process for approval.
Implementation is For Everyone
Implementatfon actfons are detailed items that should be completed in order to carry out the vision
and strategies identffied in the plan. Some actfons will need to be led by City Council, City depart-
ments, and/or the business community; and there are some things that households and individuals
can do to make an impact. While many actfons will require City Council to amend a policy there will
be opportunitfes for businesses, organizatfons, households, and individuals to support the City Coun-
cil policy changes and provide input on and feedback on those policies.
Ultfmately, achieving the visionary energy efficiency, renewable energy, alternatfve transportatfon,
and climate resilience goals outlined in this plan will require engagement and a sense of responsibil-
ity not only by the City of Edina leadership and government, but by the community itself as well. It
is critfcal for all to remain engaged and actfve, advancing and advocatfng for actfons you feel are im-
portant.
Implementation Plan
The following is a detailed list of Edina’s proposed
actfons in support of each strategy outlined within
each sectfon. The implementatfon plan includes an
indicatfon of the following:
GHG Reduction Potential
This designatfon identffies the potentfal scale of
greenhouse gas emissions reductfon potentfal of the
actfon (Note: GHG reductfon potentfal is just one
variable of benefit—actfons with lower reductfon
benefit should not necessarily be considered as low-
er priority).
Some Reductfon Potentfal:
Moderate Reductfon Potentfal:
High Reductfon Potentfal:
Resilience:
This designatfon identffies the potentfal scale or im-
portance of the climate resilience support of the ac-
tfon (Note: resilience potentfal is just one variable of
benefit—actfons with lower resilience potentfal
should not necessarily be considered as lower priori-
ty).
Some Resilience Support:
Moderate Resilience Support:
High Resilience Support:
Equity:
While it is important to view all actfons through an
equity lens, those actfons with partfcular equity op-
portunitfes, concerns, or consideratfons are identf-
fied with the “Equity” designatfon:
Phase:
This designatfon identffies the antfcipated general
initfatfon tfmeframe of the actfon: phase 1 within 1-3
years, phase 2 within 2-5 years, and phase 3 within 3-
7 years of CAP approval.
Implementation Support Tools
To support the City in its initfal implementatfon
phase, the paleBLUEdot team has created a number
of tools including:
• Implementatfon and Monitoring Matrix
• Net Zero Energy Building Guide: https://
palebluedot.llc/edina-net-zero-energy-guide
• Solar Ready Guide: https://palebluedot.llc/edina
-solar-ready-guide
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Ready Guide: https://
palebluedot.llc/edina-solar-ready-guide
• Example Climate Actfon Policies and Ordinances
The paleBLUEdot team has assembled example
policies and ordinances supportfng some of the
strategies and actfons included in the Edina Cli-
mate Actfon Plan.
The examples can be found on the following
webpage:
https://palebluedot.llc/edina-cap-policy-
examples
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CC 1: Continue to Build Internal Capacity for Support of Climate Action
Plan Implementation
Contfnuing to build internal capacity will be important to help establish the CAP as a priority in-
tegral to internal operatfons as well as fostering connectfons to community partners, business-
es, and individuals through outreach, educatfon, special projects, and service delivery.
CC 1- 1 The City Manager will work with staff to develop a year 1 implementatfon plan that specifies a work se-
quence and tfmeline for implementatfon tasks, estfmates necessary funding and staffing resources, and
outlines an accountability process, to be presented to the Energy & Environment Commission for com-
ment by the end of March 2022. Progress updates will be reported to the Edina Energy & Environment
Commission and City Council on a semi-annual basis.
1 Administratfon
CC 1- 2 Establish clear guidance and directfon for the partfcipatfon in and support of the CAP implementatfon
actfons by all City of Edina departments. Low Low 1 Administratfon
CC 1- 3 Establish a City "CAP Team" comprised of staff representatfves from all key City departments. The task of
the CAP Team should be to meet regularly to support the initfal and on-going prioritfzatfon and imple-
mentatfon of annual implementatfon actfons and projects and to support reportfng and progress updates.
Medium Medium 1 Sustainability
CC 1- 4 Establish and implement a policy to review existfng and future City of Edina policy and ordinance changes
as well as building and zoning variance requests against the goals, strategies, and actfons of this Climate
Actfon Plan to ensure alignment of changes with this plan.
Low Low Equity 1 Planning
CC 1- 5 Fund and support sustainability staffing required to support the implementatfon of this Climate Actfon
Plan (see Implementatfon Matrix for example staff needs). Medium Medium Equity 1 Administratfon
CC 1- 6 Review Climate Actfon Plan implementatfon progress and impacts on a regular basis (1-2 year cycle). Re-
view should include development of an updated community wide and municipal operatfons GHG invento-
ry. Strategies and actfons should be reviewed for implementatfon progress and for contfnued appropri-
ateness. Based on the review, adjust, add, and remove detailed CAP actfons as appropriate.
Low Low 1 Sustainability
This sectfon includes foundatfonal recommendatfons which apply to multfple Sectors. The following actfons support the long-range implementatfon of
the CAP including: Building Internal Capacity, External Support, and Funding.
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
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CC 2: Facilitate External Support Needed for Climate Action Plan Imple-
mentation
City staff and elected officials will not be able to implement this plan without robust support
from community members and coordinatfon with jurisdictfonal, instftutfonal, and organizatfonal
partners. Some best practfces/recommendatfons/ideas are outlined below:
CC 2- 1 Establish the Energy and Environment Commission (EEC) as a primary community member body to sup-
port the implementatfon of the CAP. Commission’s annual work plans should include support of the im-
plementatfon of the Climate Actfon Plan; supportfng City staff in any relevant departments; receiving up-
dates on City CAP projects and progress; being provided with opportunity to comment on identfficatfon of
annual CAP implementatfon prioritfes, projects, and budgets; and providing input on plan adjustments as
needed.
Equity 1 City Council
CC 2- 2 Establish a designated City Council representatfve and EEC representatfve partfcipant in the City’s internal
CAP Team in support of CAP implementatfon. 1 City Council
CC 2- 3 Establish a coordinated communicatfon and educatfon campaign supportfng the communicatfon and edu-
catfonal needs of each of the CAP sectfons. The campaign should also look to help community members:
•Understand climate change in general, antfcipated impacts, and the functfon and importance of implementfng
a Climate Actfon Plan.
•Understand why change at the individual, community, City, and business level needs to occur,
•The role of individuals, households, and businesses in making change
•How to make those changes correctly, and
•What the benefit/incentfve to them might be; for example, artfculatfng that switching to solar energy and or
an electric bus fleet might help reduce bills
Low Medium Equity 1
Communicatfons
& Informatfon
Technology
CC 2- 4 Contfnue and expand sustained outreach and engagement efforts that seek to build and maintain direct
relatfonship with under-resourced, traditfonally marginalized, and climate vulnerable communitfes within
Edina.
Medium Equity 1 Sustainability
CC 2- 5 Establish jurisdictfonal partnerships that advance CAP strategies to advance and accelerate actfon. This
can include government entftfes like the Hennepin County, 9 Mile Creek Watershed District, the State of
Minnesota; utflitfes like Xcel Energy; instftutfons like Edina Public Schools; Edina businesses, and commu-
nity groups.
Low Medium Equity 1 Sustainability
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
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CC 3: Maintain appropriate funding to support plan implementation
Funding the implementatfon of the CAP will require reallocatfon/reconsideratfon of existfng City
funds, raising new City funds, and identffying outside resources and funding opportunitfes.
Some funds will need to be dedicated toward long-term support like staffing, while other fund-
ing will be on a project-by-project basis. See also Strategy CE 4 in Climate Economy.
CC 3- 1 Maintain a budget and identffy funding sources for staff dedicated to the implementatfon of the CAP. 1 Administratfon
CC 3- 2 Identffy a budget necessary to support projects on an annual basis as per the detailed actfons outlined in
the Climate Economy sectfon of the plan and climate actfons. 1 Administratfon
CC 3- 3 Utflize no-cost technical assistance offerings as available. 1 Sustainability
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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TL 1: Decrease community wide VMT by 7% by 2030
TL 1- 1 Revise street design standards and prioritfze funding to align with Vision Zero strategies to create safe
streets for people walking, biking, micro-mobility optfons, and riding transit while also accommodatfng
vehicles. Provide bicycle and pedestrian safety and skills training to all school-aged children in Edina with
an accompanying program to educate parents and all interested adults.
Low Medium Equity 1 Engineering
(Transportatfon)
TL 1- 2 Accelerate building on-street and off-street protected bike lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, and other walking
infrastructure in high-need areas and fill connectfvity gaps as identffied in the City's Bike and Pedestrian
Master Plan.
Low Low Equity 1 Engineering
(Transportatfon)
TL 1- 3 Partner with instftutfons and businesses within Edina to secure commitments to implement transit de-
mand management (TDM) strategies and practfces to support the goals of this Climate Actfon Plan includ-
ing increased utflizatfon of public transit and alternatfve carbon free mobility, increased vehicle electrifica-
tfon, and decreased vehicle miles. Strategies to pursue include promotfng and incentfvizing public transit
use, bicycle programs, shared van services for employees, facilitate carpooling, telecommutfng optfons,
parking buyback programs, and collaboratfng with Metro Transit to promote the Guaranteed Ride Home
program.
High Medium Equity 1 Sustainability
TL 1- 4 Review and recommend policies necessitatfng a TDM Plan and/or a transit component with all types of
development and redevelopment. Review and implement substantfve requirements associated with
these TDM Plans to support the goals of this Climate Actfon Plan, potentfally including TDM escrow ac-
counts, transit passes, preferentfal parking for car-poolers, and other measures
High Low Equity 2 Planning
TL 1- 5 Establish a branded communicatfons campaign to promote increased alternatfve transportatfon use, with
a partfcular focus on short distance trips (ie <2 miles) including school and other daily commutes. Low 2
Communicatfons
& Informatfon
Technology
TL 1- 6 Conduct Actfve Routes to Schools audits for all Edina elementary and middle schools to identffy infrastruc-
ture improvements that would enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety and encourage trips to school on
non-pollutfng modes of transportatfon. Establish tfmeline and plan for implementfng all recommended
improvements.
Low Low Equity 2 Engineering
(Transportatfon)
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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TL 2: Double public transit commuter ridership from 3.3% to 6.6% by 2030
TL 2- 1 Advocate with Metro Transit to improve efficiency, convenience, frequency, and reliability of
bus service as well as improved bus shelter infrastructure. Collaborate with Metro Transit and
Hennepin County to improve public transit infrastructure including dedicated lanes, dedicated
bus routes, and create high-frequency rapid transit in corridors to improve "tfme equity / parity"
of the route transit tfme with what it would be to drive a car. Prioritfzatfon to be given on
routes serving the city’s employment centers and areas with higher shares of people with mobil-
ity challenges.
high Medium Equity 1 Engineering
(Transportatfon)
TL 2- 2 Preserve and enhance affordable housing, especially near bus service, to prevent displacement
of vulnerable populatfons. Medium Medium Equity 1 Affordable Hous-
ing
TL 2- 3 Work with Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County, and other local governments to identffy, and
promote increased commuter and light rail train optfons capitalizing on existfng infrastructure in
the community and the Southwest Light Rail Transit line.
Medium Medium Equity 1 Sustainability
TL 2- 4 Establish an ordinance limitfng combustfon engine idling. Support ordinance adherence through
a public educatfon and enforcement campaign. Medium 1 Sustainability
TL 2- 5 Work with Metropolitan Council and other local governments to: a ) Establish a method for pro-
jectfng the lifecycle carbon emissions of land use and transportatfon investments. Include con-
sideratfon of embodied energy, operatfons and maintenance. b ) Align regional mode share tar-
gets with carbon reductfon targets and encourage the development of mode share targets spe-
cific to the varying community needs and transit infrastructure around the region.
Medium 2 Sustainability
TL 2- 6 Explore optfons to secure funding and provide transit passes to all youth, households with low
incomes, and individuals with restricted mobility. Low Low Equity 3 Engineering
(Transportatfon)
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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TL 3: Increase average population per developed acre by 4% by 2030
TL 3- 1 Contfnue to advocate for growth through appropriate increased density: a ) Prioritfze elements
of the MPCA GreenStep Citfes best practfces that have the greatest potentfal for reducing car-
bon emissions. b ) Give priority to state and local goals for carbon emissions reductfon and cli-
mate change preparatfon in growth management decisions. c ) Maximize benefits and consider
impacts to communitfes of color and low-income populatfons when making growth manage-
ment decisions. d ) Protect natural resources and increase access to nature and open space
within the community and development nodes.
Medium Medium Equity 1 Planning
TL 3- 2 Eliminate parking minimums to reduce surface parking and instftute new parking pricing models
to maintain 85% utflizatfon (performance-based parking, off-street parking tax, dynamic pricing,
etc.)
Low Equity 1 Planning
TL 3- 3 Contfnue to integrate mixed use development close to neighborhoods to provide walkable destf-
natfons for daily needs. Update and conduct new small area plans for business and mixed use
nodes while exploring "15 minute city" concepts and strategies (50th/France, Southdale, Cahill,
etc.).
Medium Medium Equity 1 Planning
TL 3- 4 Identffy underutflized paved areas and incentfvize conversion to sustainable green space or infill
development. Conversion focus should take into consideratfon neighborhood's greenspace,
heat island mitfgatfon, affordable housing, and bike/walk mobility needs and prioritfze site utfli-
zatfon based on addressing the greatest needs at each site as determined through appropriate
engagement with the community, partfcularly people traditfonally under represented.
Low high Equity 2 Planning
TL 3- 5 Assess whether or not to purchase and preserve greenspace in and surrounding the city by
quantffying the equitable, environmental, and economic benefits, along with the costs of main-
taining and owning the property.
Medium Equity 2 Sustainabilit
TL 3- 6 Incentfvize the development of brownfields, vacant land, and abandoned buildings within the
City. Identffy unused industrial-zoned areas and explore rezoning to increase viability of devel-
opment opportunitfes. Offer tax or other incentfves to those who agree to implement such
green technology as green roofs, LEED certffied buildings, solar arrays, geothermal heatfng, etc.
Low 3 Sustainability
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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TL 3- 7 Allow and encourage the constructfon of accessory dwelling units ("ADU") to increase rental op-
portunitfes in both established neighborhoods and new development. This will add additfonal
housing optfons for the City’s workforce, seniors, families with changing needs, and others for
whom ADUs present an affordable housing optfon.
Medium Low Equity 3 Affordable Hous-
ing
TL 4: Increase battery electric vehicle (BEV) utilization to 25% of communi-
ty wide rolling stock (from approximately 357 vehicles to 9100 vehicles
community-wide).
TL 4- 1 Create an Electric Vehicle (EV) Actfon Plan. An EV Actfon Plan should: 1) address increased public
access to chargers, 2) identffy locatfons for chargers in commercial areas, 3) identffy DC Fast
Charging locatfons 4) explore charging infrastructure technologies including streetlight integra-
tfon and smart cable technologies, 5) address barriers to charging at homes and rental proper-
tfes (such as households without garages), 6) identffy strategies to increase use of EVs in car
sharing programs, and 7) assess the potentfal to partner with third-party EV charging statfon
providers to lower program and constructfon costs.
high Equity 1
Engineering
(Transportatfon/
Sustainability)
TL 4- 2 Implement an "EV Ready" building ordinance that requires new developments to have wiring
capacity to charge electric vehicles and establish minimum EV parking requirements. high 1 Sustainability
TL 4- 3 Encourage and incentfvize purchase of electric vehicles and installatfon of electric vehicle charg-
ing capacity. Incentfves and rebates should prioritfze support for low income households and
opportunitfes to increase equity.
high Equity 1 Sustainability
TL 4- 4 Partner with fleet operators and transit providers to work towards a goal that buses and fleets
based and operatfng in Edina, including school buses, be 50% electric by 2030 and 100% by
2035. Work with transit agencies and bus companies to take advantage of federal transit grant
opportunitfes to purchase new electric vehicles.
Medium 2 Sustainability
TL 4- 5 Develop incentfve and educatfonal programs to transitfon lawn care companies and homeown-
ers from using fuel-burning lawn equipment (e.g., lawn mowers, blowers) to electric. Low Low Equity 2 Parks & Recrea-
tfon
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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TL 4- 6 Collaborate with waste haulers, or require in waste hauler agreements, to deploy alternatfve
fueled vehicles – biodiesel/electric vehicles used in solid waste collectfon and disposal. Low 3 Health Division
TL 5: Convert municipal operations gasoline and e10 gasoline vehicles and
equipment within municipal fleet to EV's. Achieve 40% by 2030 and 100%
by 2040
TL 5- 1 Adopt a policy requiring 100% of new light-duty City fleet vehicles to be electric vehicles, or use
no/low carbon alternatfve fuels by 2030, and 100% of new medium and heavy-duty city fleet
vehicle purchases to be electric, use no/low carbon alternatfve fuels, or meet high-efficiency
standards, by 2040.
Medium 1 Sustainability
TL 5- 2 Conduct a municipal fleet inventory and EV transitfon Implementatfon plan. Effort to identffy
opportunitfes for electrifying, right-sizing, and improving overall efficiency of vehicles to meet
CAP Goals. Include implementatfon recommendatfons to incorporate EV's through right-tfming
purchases with a planned vehicle-replacement schedule.
Low 1 Sustainability
TL 5- 3 Introduce a policy to replace City off-road and lawn equipment with electric and low-carbon fuel
alternatfve optfons at the tfme of replacement with traditfonal internal combustfon engine (ICE)
as optfonal requiring proof of need.
Low Low 1 Sustainability
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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BE 1: Improve total community wide residential, commercial, educational,
and industrial building energy efficiency by 15% for electricity and 15% for
Natural Gas by 2030.
BE 1- 1 Partner with established Energy Audit/Energy Efficiency Program(s) to accomplish significant
residentfal energy efficiency improvements and make the program accessible to all Edina resi-
dents, including reduced partfcipatfon costs for low income households. The program should
offer building envelope tests, infrared thermal scanning, light weatherizatfon projects, LED light
bulb replacement. Additfonally, offer building operatfons and behavioral suggestfons, as well as
track carbon, energy, and financial savings Goal: 460 households annually.
High Medium Equity 1 Sustainability
BE 1- 2 Work with Xcel Energy, Centerpoint Energy, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and other part-
ners to establish commercial/industrial energy efficiency audit and upgrade program. Develop
specific energy efficiency programs for hard-to-reach segments of commercial propertfes (e.g.,
commercial rental, restaurants, affordable multffamily housing, schools). Program to be similar
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s EnergySmart commercial energy savings program with en-
hanced energy efficiency targets meetfng City of Edina CAP Goals. Goal: 15% of commercial/
industrial buildings by 2030 achieving a 20% efficiency increase per locatfon.
High Low Equity 1 Sustainability
BE 1- 3 Require City-financed projects to meet an energy efficiency standard, like Sustainable Buildings
2030 (SB2030), LEED Gold, Enterprise Green Communitfes, the 24 Natfonal Green Building
Standard ICC/ASHRAE 700, or an equivalent certfficatfon. Consider requiring projects receiving
PUD, CUP or other zoning actfon to meet the energy efficiency standard.
Low Low 1 Sustainability
BE 1- 4 Create a Utflity Services rebate program that provide incentfves for residentfal and commercial/
industrial buildings based on energy use reductfon in additfon to demand reductfon and which
encourage efficiency which exceed existfng building energy code (e.g., lightfng controls, outdoor
lightfng, energy recovery ventflatfon, carbon dioxide controls, custom rebate). Program to also
support modificatfons to existfng constructfon installatfons of qualifying age to remedy existfng
constructfon limitatfons where the required R-value cannot be met. Program to prioritfze sup-
port for low income households.
Medium Equity 1 Sustainability
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are iden-Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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BE 1- 5 Partner with local organizatfons and businesses to educate the public and promote the adoptfon
of energy efficiency habits like purchasing high-efficiency equipment, turning the lights off in
unused spaces and at night, having efficient indoor temperature control, and promote home
energy audits among their staff and students.
Low Low 1 Sustainability
BE 1- 6 Establish a clean energy fund to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. De-
velop and expand financing tools such as Clean Energy Works and commercial Property As-
sessed Clean Energy that are broadly accessible to households and building owners, including
rental propertfes, throughout the community. Remove financial barriers to building retrofits,
including limitfng property tax increases due to completed energy projects as well as reducing
any other potentfal burdens on rental propertfes when making upgrades.
Medium Medium Equity 1 Sustainability
BE 1- 7 Create a welcome packet for new businesses and residents, which will provide informatfon on
all the energy efficiency improvement resources and opportunitfes. Low Low Equity 2 Economic Devel-
opment
BE 1- 8 Promote and offer incentfves for improving energy efficiency (e.g., insulatfon, energy-efficient
windows, electric heat pumps) in newly constructed commercial propertfes. New constructfon
incentfves shall support measures for projects that exceed code requirements. Prioritfze build-
ing sites within neighborhoods with higher portfons of people of low income and higher climate
vulnerabilitfes.
Medium Low Equity 2 Sustainability
BE 1- 9 Explore, create, and promote incentfves for cool roofs and green roofs on new and existfng
buildings in order to mitfgate urban heat islands. Prioritfze building sites within neighborhoods
with higher heat island impacts.
Low Medium Equity 2 Sustainability
BE 1- 10 Implement an energy challenge competftfon to motfvate instftutfonal partners. Establish annual
targets of households/businesses to reach (use average kWh use per premise by neighborhood
maps created by Xcel to target high users).
Medium 2 Sustainability
BE 1- 11 Work with partner organizatfons to promote building retro-commissioning and operatfon and
maintenance practfces that improve affordability, comfort, indoor air quality and energy effi-
ciency in all commercial and multffamily buildings.
Low Low Equity 2 Sustainability
BE 1- 12 Work with utflitfes to incentfvize efficiency incentfves for the fit-out of commercial tenant space
and the replacement of inefficient equipment before end-of-life and facilitate the bulk purchas-
ing of efficient equipment at all commercial/industrial building types.
Medium Equity 2 Sustainability
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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BE 1- 13 Establish a performance ratfngs/labeling program for all homes listed for sale or rent so that
owners, tenants and prospectfve buyers can make informed decisions about energy costs and
carbon emissions. Ratfng program to require Energy Audit/Energy Efficiency Program partfcipa-
tfon.
Medium Equity 3 Sustainability
BE 1- 14 Promote and offer incentfves for improving residentfal energy efficiency in new constructfon
(e.g., insulatfon, energy-efficient windows, electric heat pumps). New constructfon incentfves
shall support measures for projects that exceed code requirements.
Medium Low Equity 3 Sustainability
BE 1- 15 Deploy residentfal technologies that start with enabling renters to partfcipate in energy efficien-
cy, such as Wi-Fi-enabled “smart” thermostats, while pilotfng new business models that tackle
tenant-landlord split issues.
Low Equity 3 Sustainability
BE2: Increase adoption of high performance building construction tech-
nology, achieving 5% Net Zero households and 1% Net Zero commercial
properties community wide by 2030
BE 2- 1 Launch a platiorm and training program to share best practfces, providing training, and promote
the City’s Net Zero Energy Guide and Solar-Ready Checklist. Low Low 1 Sustainability
BE 2- 2 Build market demand for net-zero energy buildings through incentfves, educatfon, demonstra-
tfon projects, partnerships and recognitfon. Low 2 Sustainability
BE 2- 3 Following the completfon of an energy audit overview of all City facilitfes, identffy potentfal sites
for Net Zero retrofit/renovatfon. Low 2 Sustainability
BE 2- 4 Develop competftfve Request for Proposal for effectfve and innovatfve Net Zero pilot projects.
Focus on "Net zero building in every neighborhood" to establish visibility of strategies within the
community. RFP should encourage high quality mixed use redevelopment on infill propertfes
and existfng surface parking lots along transit oriented development corridors. RFP's should
focus on equity, affordability, livability, and compliance/support of Climate Actfon Plan goals.
Medium Medium Equity 3 Sustainability
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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BE3: Reduce share of population living in high energy poverty from 29% to
12% by 2030
BE 3- 1 Create a community-wide Clean Energy Equity plan to support low-income residents and small
organizatfons in purchasing renewable energy. Low Low Equity 1 Sustainability
BE 3- 2 Explore the development of renewable energy program(s) which increase utflizatfon of on-site /
in-community renewable energy while creatfng benefit for low-income community members.
Example programs include City of Dubuque Low Income Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC),
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Community Solar for Community Actfon, and Texas Energy Poverty
Research Instftute Community Solar Program Model. Goal: 16,000 MWh clean energy delivered
through programs annually by 2030.
High High Equity 1 Sustainability
BE 3- 3 Use grant, state, and city funding to implement an income-based payment system to allow low
and fixed income residents to partfcipate in energy efficiency and weatherizatfon program(s) at
little to no cost.
Medium High Equity 1 Sustainability
BE 3- 4 Explore additfonal optfons for building improvement programs that would reduce energy con-
sumptfon for vulnerable populatfons and those living under high energy burden through added
insulatfon, air sealing, passive energy systems, heat pumps, and higher efficiency equipment.
Low Medium Equity 2 Sustainability
BE 4: Achieve 10% residential and commercial and industrial building
"fuel switching" from on-site fossil fuel combustion to less carbon inten-
sive, or carbon neutral sources by 2030.
BE 4- 1 Coordinate and promote a residentfal and small business "Electrificatfon and Energy Efficiency/
Weatherizatfon" group purchase campaign annually to help reduce the costs of energy efficient
no/low carbon heatfng systems such as air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps
through volume purchasing power. Program design to focus on improved equity (residentfal
and commercial) in its implementatfon and explore strategies to support local small business
contractors such as being set up to enable small contractors to collaborate or having a competf-
tfve "marketplace" approach with more than one contractor to choose from. NOTE: Actfon may
be implemented in combinatfon with the renewable energy group purchase program actfon.
Goal, 300 households and 75 businesses annually.
High Low Equity 1 Sustainability
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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BE 4- 2 Partner with instftutfons and businesses within Edina to secure commitments to reduce opera-
tfonal greenhouse gas emissions in line with the goals of this Climate Actfon Plan, achieving car-
bon neutrality by 2050.
Medium 1 Sustainability
BE 4- 3 Identffy opportunitfes for facilitfes to repurpose waste to energy without burdening residents. Low Equity 1 Public Works
(utflitfes)
BE 4- 4 Identffy, create, and promote incentfves for switching away from natural gas heatfng to renewa-
ble electricity, ground source heat pumps, or solar thermal for residentfal and commercial and
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) for appropriate commercial/industrial sites.
High Low Equity 2 Sustainability
BE 4- 5 Create an educatfonal program to inform residentfal and commercial propertfes about renewa-
ble energy opportunitfes including technologies that eliminate on-site fossil fuel use. Low 3 Sustainability
BE 5: Increase renewable energy (distributed and purchased) from 1.6% to
17% of citywide residential and commercial electric use by 2030
BE 5- 1 Coordinate and promote a residentfal Solar Group Purchase Campaign annually to help reduce
the costs of solar installatfon through volume purchasing power. Program design to focus on
improved equity in its implementatfon and explore strategies to support local small business
solar installers such as being set up to enable small installers to collaborate or having a competf-
tfve "marketplace" with multfple installer optfons. NOTE: Actfon may be implemented in combi-
natfon with the electrificatfon and energy efficiency group purchase program actfons. Goal, 150
households and 75 businesses annually.
High Equity 1 Sustainability
BE 5- 2 Identffy the "Solar Top 100" commercial/industrial propertfes within the city and produce de-
tailed solar feasibility assessments for each site. Assessments to include potentfal solar genera-
tfon and economic performance and return on investment estfmates, informatfon on financing
and ownership models, and next step resources. Provide solar assessment reports to propertfes
and conduct an informatfonal workshop to assist building owners and businesses in understand-
ing the assessments and next step potentfal. "Solar Top 100" assessment effort could be re-
peated annually, partfcularly through 2025.
Low 1 Sustainability
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
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BE 5- 3 Coordinate and promote a commercial/industrial Solar Group Purchase Campaign annually to
help reduce the costs of solar installatfon through volume purchasing power. Group purchase
campaign could include/focus on propertfes identffied in the "Solar Top 100" assessment effort
and should include both direct purchase/ownership as well as 3rd party ownership optfons like
Solar Lease and Power Purchase Agreements. Program design to explore strategies to support
local small business solar installers and strategies to support local workforce development.
Goal: 2,000 KW installed annually.
High Equity 1 Sustainability
BE 5- 4 Promote green power purchase optfons such as those provided by Xcel Energy's "Renewable
Connect" and "Windsource". Collaborate with utflitfes on promotfon and educatfon of available
optfons. Goal: 220 households and 50 businesses annually.
High Equity 1 Sustainability
BE 5- 5 Support the development of community solar projects that benefit all residents, partfcularly
communitfes of color and low-income populatfons. Equity 2 Sustainability
BE 5- 6 Establish a Solar Ready Ordinance to require all commercial and multf-family buildings to be
solar ready and to require on-site solar for all commercial propertfes receiving City funding and
incentfves. See City's Solar Ready Guidelines.
Low Low 2 Sustainability
BE 5- 7 Partfcipate in statewide policy discussions to expand the market in Minnesota for renewable
energy, including solar, wind, geothermal, biogas and biomass, and remove barriers to wide-
spread partfcipatfon in renewable energy programs like community solar.
2 Sustainability
BE 5- 8 Explore the viability of all commercially available optfons for energy storage (battery) and devel-
op appropriate energy storage programs for all customer types to reduce peak demand, support
electric grid reliability and improve the effectfveness of solar and other renewable energy op-
tfons.
2 Sustainability
BE 5- 9 Organize educatfon and outreach programs to promote rebates and tax credits available for en-
ergy efficiency projects. Outreach should focus on effectfvely communicatfng with households
of lower income and BIPOC owned businesses.
Low Low Equity 3 Sustainability
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
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BE 6: Improve total municipal building energy efficiency by 17% for elec-
tricity and 17% for natural gas by 2030
BE 6- 1 Introduce a policy that requires all new and existfng municipal buildings to be built to meet or
exceed IGCC code and State of Minnesota B3 energy goals. Require new and existfng municipal
buildings without solar PV installatfons in place or planned to install cool roof or green roofing.
Require all new constructfon or major renovatfon projects to use the City's Net Zero Energy
Building Guide and Checklist to explore opportunitfes to advance towards Net Zero Energy. In-
vite County, School District, and other public agencies located within the City to partfcipate in
City's energy efficiency policy effort.
Medium Low 1 Sustainability
BE 6- 2 Conduct a City Facilitfes Energy Audit on all buildings and sites (including outdoor lightfng con-
version to Dark Sky approved LED lightfng). Use results from City Facilitfes Energy Audit to prior-
itfze City Facilitfes Capital Improvement Plans (CIPS) and maintenance improvements to achieve
energy efficiency goals. Establish a tfmeline for improvements with implementatfon occurring
within 5 years of completfon of energy audits.
Medium Low 1 Engineering
(facilitfes)
BE 6- 3 Implement the Environmental Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Policy within municipal operatfons. Low 2 Sustainability
BE 6- 4 Conduct a occupancy and plug load energy efficiency study of primary city owned facilitfes and
establish a "Plug Load and Occupancy Energy Efficiency Guide" outlining operatfonal practfces to
advance the City's energy efficiency goals for City facilitfes. Provide training to all existfng city
employees and provide on-going training to all new City hires.
Low 2 Engineering
(facilitfes)
BE 7: Achieve 25% municipal building thermal “fuel switching" from on-
site fossil fuel combustion to less carbon intensive, or carbon neutral
sources by 2030
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
BE 7- 1 Conduct an "Electrificatfon Assessment and Actfon Plan" to outline actfons and prioritfes for
electrificatfon of all City facilitfes to move towards zero on-site fossil fuel combustfon. Work
with regional energy partnerships to implement Plan for all City facilitfes and establish a sched-
ule for improvements (such as hot water and space heatfng appliance replacement). Include
new and existfng buildings, explore strategies to address electricity storage, and create a case
study to highlight and share challenges, solutfons, and lessons learned to share with the broader
community.
Medium Low 1 Engineering
(facilitfes)
BE 7- 2 Establish a policy requiring all new municipally owned buildings to be 100% electric (or zero on-
site fossil fuel combustfon). Medium Low 1 Engineering
(facilitfes)
BE 8: Increase renewable energy (distributed and purchased) from 0.2% to
100% of city operations electricity consumption by 2030.
BE 8- 1 Conduct a City Facility Solar Feasibility and Master Plan study to explore the feasibility of on-site
solar for all city facilitfes. Study should explore a range of ownership optfons including purchase
and third party ownership (such as Power Purchase Agreements) and should include exploratfon
of micro-grid and solar+storage optfons for improved facility resilience. Study should also iden-
tffy strategies such as community solar subscriptfons combined with Renewable Energy Credit
purchases, to achieve renewable energy at sites determined to be inappropriate for on-site so-
lar to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030.
Low Low Equity 1 Engineering
(facilitfes)
BE 8- 2 Install solar on all City buildings and sites, where feasible based on the findings and recommen-
datfons of the City Facility Solar Feasibility and Master Plan study by 2027. Explore implementa-
tfon of micro-grid, solar+storage and other optfons for improved facility resilience. Explore in-
cluding City Facility solar purchases in community-wide commercial solar group purchase cam-
paigns.
Medium Medium 1 Engineering
(facilitfes)
BE 8- 3 Explore use of the Guaranteed Energy Savings Program (or another optfon such as a tax-exempt
bond or performance contractfng) to finance all possible municipal solar projects and renewable
energy purchases through the utflity.
2 Sustainability
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
WM 1: Decrease total per capita municipal solid waste handled 5% by
2030
WM 1- 1 Coordinate with the school district to establish paths towards Zero Waste program. Program to
include zero waste curricula, family content, training, volunteer program connectfons, as well as
zero waste strategies for school facilitfes.
Low Equity 1 Community En-
gagement
WM 1- 2 Support collaboratfve consumptfon community projects, such as neighborhood compost pro-
jects, tool libraries, and repair cafes through mini-grant programs. Low Low Equity 1 Parks & Recrea-
tfon
WM 1- 3 Explore optfons for waste hauling improvements supportfng CAP goal achievement, including
modificatfons to City's existfng licensure process and requirements as well as organized waste
hauling strategies.
Low Equity 1 Health Division
WM 1- 4 Create a space where items can be donated at the end of the school year or after graduatfon
and hold an annual event for children's things and toys to be given away. Equity 2 Parks & Recrea-
tfon
WM 1- 5 Eliminate petroleum-based, single-use products through phasing out the use of single-use plas-
tfcs including plastfc bags by 2025. Require food service retailers to use re-usable, biodegrada-
ble, compostable or recyclable packaging and utensils (including for take-out). Explore the feasi-
bility of establishing a reusable takeout container service.
Low 2 Health Division
WM 1- 6 Establish a Zero Waste policy for City operatfons that outlines increasing incremental annual
waste reductfon goals chartfng a path to Zero Waste. Policy to require that outside users of City
facilitfes also follow Zero Waste policy and will modify the event permit applicatfon to require
the inclusion of recycling and compostfng at events.
Low 3 Sustainability
WM 1- 7 Establish a Universal Zero Waste Ordinance, requiring all property owners (including City build-
ings and parks) to provide recycling and compost collectfon services and requiring businesses to
use these services.
Low 3 Sustainability
WM 2: Achieve 70% organics landfill waste diversion by 2030 (from 5,775
tons to 10,250 tons diverted through organics collectfon)
WM 2- 1 Make City worksites a model for organics compostfng by developing a collectfon program for
City buildings (owned and leased) and park spaces. Low 1 Engineering
(facilitfes)
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
WM 2- 2 Require that compost be used as a soil amendment for public and private constructfon projects
that disturb the soil cover by a set amount. Low 1 Engineering
WM 2- 3 Conduct an organics waste collectfon pilot project with a sample of City businesses to test the
interest, methodology, and amount of commercial food waste that would need to be accommo-
dated by a commercial organics collectfon program. Explore possible incentfves for food retail-
ers, restaurants, and instftutfons to partfcipate in food waste reuse and recycling programs.
Low 1 Health Division
WM 2- 4 Expand curbside and availability of other compostfng optfons for single family and multf-family
residents and businesses. Explore optfons for low-cost or free compost/organics collectfon or
drop off partfcularly for people of low income. Promote and educate on the value and methods
for compostfng.
Low 1 Health Division
WM 2- 5 Develop compost captains on each block/ neighborhood to educate neighbors on the benefits
of compostfng, gardening, creatfng "cool yards". Medium 2 Health Division
WM 2- 6 Explore requiring large new buildings to provide facilitfes for disposing organics. Low 2 Health Division
WM 2- 7 Combat food waste by encouraging retailers and restaurants to donate, reduce, reuse, or com-
post their unsold food, creatfng “zero-waste sectfons” where products are sold close to their
expiratfon dates, and designatfng “zero-waste coaches” to raise awareness among staff and help
manage products reaching the end of their marketable life. Edible unsold products shall be do-
nated. When not edible, organic waste shall be composted through City's organics collectfon
vendor.
Equity 3 Health Division
WM 3: Increase recycling from 32% to 35% of total MSW handled by 2030
WM 3- 1 Coordinate with public partners to ensure recycling is provided and promoted in all schools, City
buildings, public housing, and public spaces. Include coordinatfon on recylcing educatfon and
communicatfons to improve reductfon of contaminatfon.
Low 1 Health Division
WM 3- 2 Explore a requirement that all waste be recycled or salvaged at large constructfon sites. 2 Buildings
WM 3- 3 Work with the Planning Department to require adequate space/chutes in multf-family buildings
for recycling and organics making sure recycling is as convenient as garbage. 2 Planning
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
WM 3- 4 Explore establishing or expanding requirements for recycling and organic waste collectfon for
multf-family residentfal buildings, and commercial/industrial buildings. Promote, educate and
advocate for equal access to organics collectfon as well as collectfon of other common items
typically requiring drop off at the recycling center to support partfcipatfon by all, including indi-
viduals with limited mobility.
Low Equity 3 Health Division
WM 3- 5 Expand consumer educatfon (e.g. host community forums and provide direct outreach) on sus-
tainable consumptfon, materials management, available services, incentfves, and facilitfes as
well as proper recycling, compostfng, and source reductfon methods.
3 Health Division
WM 4: Increase diversion of potential recoverables by 15% by 2030
(decreasing from 14.7% of city mixed waste to 12.5%)
WM 4- 1 Promote and explore partnership with clothing businesses, reuse non-profits and textfle recy-
cling businesses to create a Clothing Reuse and Recycling pilot project to advance zero waste
textfles within the City.
Low Equity 1 Health Division
WM 4- 2 Promote and partner with existfng waste audit or diversion assistance programs for businesses.
Program to support businesses in establishing tracking and reportfng waste streams, identffy
reductfon, diversion, beneficial use opportunitfes, identfficatfon of potentfal financing sources,
and connect businesses with energy audit and other resources in support of full CAP goals.
Goal: 30 business waste audits completed annually with businesses engaged in measuring and
divertfng waste.
Low 1 Health Division
WM 4- 3 Establish a policy or ordinance expanding or requiring textfle reuse and recycling based on out-
comes of the Clothing Reuse and Recycling pilot project. Low 2 Health Division
WM 4- 4 Conduct a Beneficial Use Study to identffy greatest beneficial use opportunitfes present in cur-
rent City solid waste streams. Study to estfmate potentfal return on investment and identffy job
and economic development potentfal associated with opportunitfes. Research/identffy pilot
project opportunitfes to explore capture of benefit.
2 Economic Devel-
opment
WM 4- 5 Promote and partner to support a Fix It Fair at the Library and create a resource list for reuse. Equity 3 Health Division
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are iden-Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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W 1: Promote increased water conservation citywide with a targeted re-
duction of 7.5% by 2030
W 1- 1 Advocate for updated building codes to require water conservatfon measures (e.g., grey water
infrastructure, water-efficient irrigatfon systems, natfve and drought-resistant landscaping) in
new constructfon and renovatfons.
Low Medium 1 Sustainability
W 1- 2 Evaluate the potentfal to update the City's Green Building Program to include installatfon of rain-
water collectfon systems at City facilitfes for graywater uses, and investfgate opportunitfes for
graywater reuse at existfng and new City facilitfes and propertfes. Implement graywater systems
identffied capable of reducing energy/water demand in other areas (for example, watering ur-
ban tree canopy to reduce heat island effect and air conditfoning needs).
Low 1 Sustainability
W 1- 3 Facilitate reductfon of water use by top customers annually through an opt-in water reductfon
program targetfng water reductfon goals of 20% or more per site. Offer free technical resources
to large instftutfons and businesses to identffy specific opportunitfes for employees or customers
to conserve water and incorporate water efficiency into internal operatfons. Program can be
coordinated with the City's Waste Audit and Diversion Assistance program. Goal: 30 business
water use audits completed annually with customers engaged in measuring and reducing water
consumptfon.
Low Low 1 Engineering
(environment)
W 1- 4 Evaluate opportunitfes for real-tfme water and energy metering that may help customers better
understand and reduce their water and energy consumptfon. Low Low 1 Public Works
W 1- 5 Implement a policy to require installatfon of rainwater collectfon systems and WaterSense water
efficient fixtures and appliances at all City facility projects and all projects receiving $50,000 or
more in City tax abatement, financing or funding. Provide informatfon and technical assistance
to projects as needed.
Low Low 3 Planning
W 1- 6 Conduct a Water Conservatfon "challenge" campaign ask partfcipants to reduce water consump-
tfon through water use behavior change strategies, irrigatfon system utflizatfon, and replace-
ment of fixtures like shower heads with WaterSense certffied fixtures.
Low Low 3 Engineering
(environment)
W 1- 7 Consider rate design structures that incentfve reductfons in water consumptfon. Include utflity
services and capacity support to implement income-based payment plan. Include educatfon and
engagement plan to raise awareness about change and water efficiency.
Low Low Equity 3 Finance
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
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W 2: Reduce GHG emissions associated with wastewater City Wide by 25%
per capita by 2030
W 2- 1 Partner with Xcel or the PUC to study ways to off-peak or tfme water, sanitary, and storm utflity
electric use to provide grid services or increase the preferentfal use of renewable energy, or pro-
vide reliable power with grid controlled batteries, rather than diesel or natural gas generators.
Low 1 Engineering
(environment)
W 2- 2 Negotfate or contract with Metropolitan Council Environmental Services for renewable, biodi-
gestfon, or other wastewater treatment offset technology to offset 100% of Edina wastewater
treatment demand carbon emissions by 2030.
Medium 1 Engineering
(environment)
W 3: Mitigate and adapt to the projected increased flood hazards and im-
pacts due to climate change
W 3- 1 Monitor chemical snow and ice management treatments and update regulatfons as needed to
respond to changing ice, freeze/thaw, and rain events in a way that supports a healthy water-
shed while maintaining an appropriate level of service and snow clearing; within city owned
propertfes.
Low 1 Public Works
W 3- 2 Increase frequency of street sweeping for priority lakes and creek sub-watersheds based on the
2015 City of Edina Street Sweeping Plan. Promote the “Adopt-a-Drain” program to contfnue to
improve removal of debris from storm drains and waterways. Consider renewable natural gas,
or electric sweeper at next equipment replacement plan.
Low 1 Public Works
W 3- 3 Implement strategies to mitfgate stormwater impacts due to development and redevelopment
of propertfes currently exempted from stormwater management requirements. Medium 1 Engineering
(environment)
W 3- 4 Fund and construct the Morningside Flood Infrastructure Project, and complete preliminary con-
cepts, prioritfze and schedule mitfgatfon projects for next 3-4 major flood risk areas. Medium 2 Engineering
(environment)
W 3- 5 Prioritfze managing stormwater before it enters the sewer system through a combinatfon of
overland flow, detentfon, and infiltratfon strategies (for example, permeable surfaces). Medium 2
Engineering
(environment),
Parks, Sustaina-
bility
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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W 3- 6 Complete ordinance amendment that reduces allowable impervious surface of R-1 single family
zoning. Target: 50% allowable impervious surface decrease. Medium 2 Planning
W 3- 7 Promote, share and create additfonal "Actfons you can take" fact sheets for businesses, home-
owners, rental property owners, and renters. Establish an accessible outreach and engagement
plan to reach at-risk propertfes during infrastructure projects. Incorporate other resources such
as "landscaping for absorptfon" practfces (like natfve plantfngs, rain gardens, and bioswales) and
MyRain Ready.
Low Equity 2 Engineering
(environment)
W 3- 8 Build more permeable parking lots and driveways and use more recycled materials with con-
crete. Identffy, implement, and promote pilot projects to provide examples of permeable and
recycled paving systems.
Medium 3 Engineering
(Transportatfon)
W 4: Update design standards and municipal plans to meet projected cli-
mate change flood mitigation requirements
W 4- 1 Prepare a flash flood risk map, or modify existfng City of Edina flood mapping tools, to identffy
areas within City that are partfcularly vulnerable to flash flood impacts based on current and
projected climate change impacts. Train and educate emergency responders about this risk.
Create and implement a mitfgatfon and response plan. Share and promote the informatfon de-
veloped by the flash flood risk map, partfcularly among vulnerable populatfons and neighbor-
hoods.
Medium 1 Engineering
(environment)
W 4- 2 Enhance stormwater system plans and infrastructure to handle an increase in severe weather
events based on climate change projectfons rather than historic trends. High 2 Engineering
(environment)
W 4- 3 Work with FEMA to update flood zone maps. Update watershed management plans with cur-
rent understanding of climate change related weather patterns to identffy propertfes vulnerable
to flooding and help prepare property owners to implement adaptatfon actfons.
High Equity 2 Engineering
(environment)
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are iden-Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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LF 1: Increase production of local food and its resilience to climate shocks,
particularly serving low income and food insecure individuals.
LF 1- 1 Review ordinances and development regulatfons remove barriers to and promote urban agricul-
ture. Low 1 Planning
LF 1- 2 Support existfng school and community gardens and provide opportunitfes to expand communi-
ty growing spaces with a focus on locatfng garden infrastructure to serve youth, immigrant, and
people with lower incomes or who are experiencing food insecurity. Community growing and
garden spaces may include use of park space, unused city owned space, or public right of way/
boulevard areas. Program should prioritfze conversion of impervious spaces to garden space
and preservatfon/increase of overall green space benefit. Provide on-going promotfon, commu-
nicatfon, and educatfon of the sites and opportunitfes including appropriate translated and ac-
cessible content.
Medium Equity 1 Parks & Recrea-
tfon
LF 1- 3 Partner with schools and other organizatfons to create sustainable gardening programs at public
and private schools and at locatfons that to serve youth, immigrant, and people with lower in-
comes or who are experiencing food insecurity. Promote local food productfon through these
partnerships, funding, and educatfonal programs.
Low Equity 1 Parks & Recrea-
tfon
LF 1- 4 Incentfvize and reward soil best management practfce for urban lawns, gardens, landscaping,
parks, open spaces, prairies, environmentally sensitfve areas, and agricultural land uses. Low 1 Planning
LF 1- 5 Update code to provide incentfves or require developers to preserve topsoil and provide space
for backyard or community gardens. Low Equity 2 Planning
LF 1- 6 Establish a public Food Forest by adding edible trees, shrubs, and plantfng regionally natfve veg-
etables to existfng public landscaping including boulevard and right of way areas. Select an ex-
istfng property for a pilot project.
Medium Equity 2 Parks & Recrea-
tfon
LF 1- 7 Collaborate with partners to provide educatfonal resources such as featuring films, "fact sheets"
and educatfonal content. Use these partnerships to create field trips for students and others to
visit farms and urban agriculture sites to see food productfon, meet farmers and animals and
promote consideratfon of farming and local food productfon as a career. Communicatfons,
events, and field trips to prioritfze racial/cultural diversity among partfcipants.
Equity 2 Sustainability
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
LF 1- 8 Allow community gardens or urban farms on vacant land in all zoning districts, except industrial,
to increase the availability of locally produced food for all residents. Low Equity 3 Planning, Parks
LF 2: Increase access to local food, particularly serving low income and
food insecure individuals
LF 2- 1 Conduct a detailed Food Security Assessment to determine food insecurity conditfons within the
City, areas with limited access to full service grocery stores and markets (partfcularly within are-
as of higher vulnerable populatfons), identffy areas within the City for improvement, and estab-
lish detailed strategies to increase food security within City.
Medium Equity 1 Health Division
LF 2- 2 Encourage and support the acceptance of Electronic Benefits Transfer (formerly food stamps) at
all markets and groceries, and educate EBT/SNAP users about using their benefits to purchase
local food. Explore the development of a "Double SNAP Dollar" program at all Farmers Markets
to increase access to locally grown fresh produce for low income households.
Low Equity 1 Health Division
LF 2- 3 Promote and expand public educatfon campaigns to encourage purchasing and supportfng res-
taurants which use locally grown and produced food at the individual and instftutfonal level (add
targetfng of disadvantaged, food insecure, and elder populatfons). Collaborate with under rep-
resented groups to identffy culturally preferred foods and advocate for their cultfvatfon and in-
creased availability locally.
Low Equity 2 Health Division
LF 2- 4 Analyze existfng Municipality purchasing and procurement policies and explore creatfng a policy
preferring purchasing locally grown foods. Medium 3 Parks & Recrea-
tfon
LF 3: Reduce food waste, achieve a 25% reduction in food waste communi-
ty-wide by 2030
LF 3- 1 Collaborate with partners to create, incentfvize, and promote a business network of sourcing,
distributfng and marketfng cosmetfcally imperfect produce partfcularly those which provide
affordable produce to low income and food insecure community members.
Medium Equity 1 Health Division
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are iden-Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
LF 3- 2 Promote Restaurant, Food Service and Household Best Management Practfces
o Reduce Food Wastage in the Kitchen (pre-consumer)
o Reduce over-purchasing of food
o Reduce prep waste and improperly cooked food
o Consider secondary uses for excess food
o Ensure proper storage techniques
o Reduce Plate Scraping Wastage (post-consumer)
– Modify menu to increase consumer satfsfactfon and reduce food left uneaten
– Modify serving sizes and garnishes
– Encourage guests to order/request and take only the food they will consume
- Go Trayless at buffets and school/instftutfonal cafeterias
Low Low 2 Health Division
LF 3- 3 Establish partnerships and a program to improve logistfcs of sourcing and transportfng surplus
food from events, schools, restaurants, grocery stores and other sources to providers and part-
ners capable of effectfvely distributfng surplus to disadvantaged, food insecure, and elder popu-
latfons.
Low Equity 2 Health Division
LF 4: Reduce the amount that the community's food consumption contrib-
utes to climate change
LF 4- 1 Create collaboratfve partnerships with community-based organizatfons and affinity groups, in-
cluding low-income populatfons and communitfes of color, to: a ) Promote healthier, low-carbon
diets. b ) Encourage local food productfon and purchase including at local restaurants. c ) Sup-
port affordability and access to healthier foods through neighborhood food buying clubs and co-
ops. d ) Reduce food waste.
Low Low Equity 1 Community En-
gagement
LF 4- 2 Establish an Green Business Refrigeratfon upgrade cost sharing incentfve program providing a
25% matching grant for qualified buildings and applicants to switch to green refrigeratfon prac-
tfces.
Medium Low 2 Sustainability
LF 4- 3 Include healthy, low-carbon food choices and food waste in public and business outreach
efforts. Work with partners to support efforts to encourage plant-based diets, including Meat-
less Monday campaigns.
Low Low 3 Parks & Recrea-
tfon
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
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GS 1: Increase tree cover from 35.9% to 39.5% by 2030 and 43% by 2040
GS 1- 1 Explore the integratfon of trees into a Stormwater Credit Program to increase trees and manage
stormwater. Low 1 Engineering
(environment)
GS 1- 2 Conduct a Solar and Tree Compatfbility study to actfvely identffy the best sites in the city for tree
canopy expansion as well as the best locatfons for solar pv installatfons. Following study, work to
direct and encourage tree plantfng and solar pv development in areas identffied.
Low Low 1 Forestry
GS 1- 3 Identffy strategic locatfons for increased tree plantfng capable of meetfng long-term canopy
goals and develop long range implementatfon program based on the City's 2021 Ground Cover,
Tree Canopy, and Carbon Sequestratfon Study and the goals of this CAP. Establish incentfves for
tree plantfng that ensure all socio-economics groups have access to tree and nature while
achieving tree canopy goals. Prioritfze tree replacement programming in neighborhoods based
on factors outlined in the study including those with low income households, vulnerable popula-
tfons, street and boulevards with less than 30% sidewalk/curb length shade coverage, and
neighborhoods that will be most impacted by urban heat island effect and Emerald Ash Bore
loss.
Low Medium Equity 1 Forestry
GS 1- 4 Update City’s Landscape ordinance to include a minimum tree coverage per lawn area or per
impervious surface coverage for all new constructfon or expansion projects. Explore optfons for
decrease of turf grass/lawn coverage and increase of wildflower/prairie grass coverage require-
ments.
High Equity 1 Planning
GS 1- 5 Update current tree preservatfon ordinance requirements to protect tree root systems and large
legacy trees during constructfon. Explore optfons for increases in legacy tree protectfon and in-
creases in performance based requirements of tree plantfng within parking lots.
Medium 1 Forestry
GS 1- 6 Establish a Greenspace Property Tax Credit / or Saleable/tradeable greenspace credits to incen-
tfvize property owners to increase green infrastructure, greenspace, and carbon sequestratfon in
line with the goals of this CAP.
Medium 2 Sustainability
Click here to
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
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GS 1- 7 Prioritfze plantfng and preservatfon of natfve species of plants and trees and species of plants
and trees adaptfve to climate change on public and private property through educatfon, incen-
tfves and other promotfonal programs. Ensure that landscaping requirements artfculated in the
zoning code include the preservatfon of the maximum possible number of existfng trees, the use
of natfve plantfngs and the preservatfon of natural areas whenever possible.
Low 2 Sustainability
GS 1- 8 Update the City’s approved street tree guide and landscape design standards to establish a Cli-
mate Adaptfve Plantfng list for tree and plant species appropriate for a future local climate. Also
include a list of invasive species and resources for identfficatfon and removal. Use guide for all
city owned propertfes and promote its use for residentfal and commercial propertfes.
Medium 3 Forestry
GS 1- 9 Update the City's Ground Cover, Tree Canopy, and Carbon Sequestratfon Study every 2 to 5
years to evaluate progress on the City's greenspace and ground cover goals and to adjust imple-
mentatfon plans.
Low 3 Parks & Recrea-
tfon
GS 2: Increase pollinator supportiveness of lawns and grasslands in City of
Edina and achieve a 10% turf replacement with native or climate adaptive
grasses and wildflowers by 2030 (250 acres converted)
GS 2- 1 Complete a Land Conversion Opportunity Study supportfng the ground cover goals included in
this CAP. Analyze public and private property for unused turf and impervious areas, and create a
Ground Cover Conversion Implementatfon plan to convert to natfve plant and pollinator restora-
tfon areas, permaculture areas, wetlands, shrub, tree coverage or urban agriculture uses with
goals by census tract. Include goals and an implementatfon plan to meet or exceed the CAP
goals for tree, natfve pollinator area, and lawn conversion for City owned propertfes. Goals
should be weighted by heat island, water runoff, and equity needs. Identffy incentfve opportuni-
tfes and establish an outreach campaign.
Medium Equity 1
Community De-
velopment
(planning)
GS 2- 2 Remove and ease lawn/grass requirements in ordinances.
Medium 1
Community De-
velopment
(planning)
Click here to
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
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GS 2- 3 Install roadside pollinator vegetatfon that creates effectfve barriers to prevent drifting of air pol-
lutants to adjacent schools and residences. Prioritfes should be given to locatfons with increased
air quality and micro heat island impacts and elevated flash flood potentfal.
Medium Equity 1 Public Works
GS 2- 4 Manage city-owned natural areas to enhance and maintain diverse natfve communitfes, in-
crease green infrastructure, implementatfon of best practfces for stormwater management, in-
creased plant diversity, and improved pollinator-friendly habitat.
Low 1 Parks & Recrea-
tfon
GS 2- 5 Manage city-owned lawn/turf areas to enhance and maintain diverse natfve communitfes, in-
creases turf replacement with natfve wildflower and prairie grasses, increased plant diversity,
improved pollinator-friendly habitat, and Carbon Gardening practfces including eliminatfon of
synthetfc fertflizer and pestfcide use, high mow deck settings, use of biochar amendments, and
polyculture lawn mixture.
Low 1 Parks & Recrea-
tfon
GS 2- 6 Establish a policy to require the use of natfve plants in landscaping at City-owned propertfes.
Contfnue natural vegetatfon conversion for passive park areas. Add 110 Acres of natfve plant
and pollinator restoratfon area on City Property by 2040.
Medium 2 Parks & Recrea-
tfon
GS 2- 7 Establish a policy and Identffy, create, and promote incentfves to assist homeowners and house-
holds with low incomes by covering some of the cost of convertfng traditfonal lawns by plantfng
pollinator friendly food gardens, permaculture, wildflowers, clover or natfve grasses in an effort
to slow the collapse of the state’s bee populatfon.
Medium Equity 2 Sustainability
GS 2- 8 Develop educatfonal and informatfonal resources providing informatfon on benefits of and strat-
egies for reduced and repurposed lawn space including: natfve plantfngs, "carbon gardening"
strategies for ornamental gardens, and produce gardens, tree profile rebuilding, eliminatfon of
synthetfc fertflizer and pestfcide use, high mow deck settings, use of biochar amendments, poly-
culture lawn mixture and other beneficial greenspace practfces included in this CAP.
Low 2 Sustainability
GS 2- 9 Establish and effectfvely manage natfve-habitat corridors along trails and utflity easement areas
to restore and maintain landscape connectfvity. Low Equity 2 Parks & Recrea-
tfon
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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GS 3: Reduce heat island effect through citywide “dark” impervious sur-
face reduction of 10% by 2030 and 20% by 2040 (250 acres reduced by
2030, 500 acres reduced by 2040)
GS 3- 1 Develop a "Green Roof" / "Green Wall" pilot project to educate on and exhibit heat island mitf-
gatfon strategies and measure potentfal for effectfveness. Identffy city building with low solar
PV prioritfzatfon/feasibility for inclusion as pilot project locatfon. Alternatfvely, pilot program
could be advertfsed for submission by City of Edina residents, businesses and neighborhoods for
potentfal sites to be considered for pilot project selectfon. Preference should be given to sites
serving low income or at risk communitfes with high heat island impact potentfal.
Low Medium Equity 1 Engineering
(facilitfes)
GS 3- 2 Develop a "Cool Roof" / "Cool pavement" pilot project to educate on and exhibit heat island
mitfgatfon strategies and measure potentfal for effectfveness. Identffy city building with low
solar PV prioritfzatfon/feasibility for inclusion as pilot project locatfon. Alternatfvely, pilot pro-
gram could be advertfsed for submission by City of Edina residents, businesses and neighbor-
hoods for potentfal sites to be considered for pilot project selectfon. Preference should be given
to sites serving low income or at risk communitfes with high heat island impact potentfal.
Low Medium Equity 1 Engineering
(facilitfes)
GS 3- 3 Promote the expansion of tree canopy in urban heat islands or areas that need air conditfoning
such as schools. Prioritfze efforts based on City's 2021 Ground Cover, Tree Canopy, and Carbon
Sequestratfon Study. Collaborate with school district, regional agencies, or instftutfons to identf-
fy and implement a pilot project, including community educatfonal and interpretfve content.
Low High Equity 1 Sustainability
GS 3- 4 Explore development of green roof incentfves (demonstratfon projects, voluntary programs, in-
centfvized program, ordinance / policy) to meet long-range dark impervious surface reductfon
goals. Examples of incentfve programs have been developed by the Climate Protectfon Partner-
ship Division in the U.S. Environmental Protectfon Agency’s Office of Atmospheric Programs.
Low Medium 2 Sustainability
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GS 3- 5 Evaluate on-going pilot programs for cool paving materials to determine whether the City
should establish a cool paving policy. Low Medium Equity 2 Engineering
(Transportatfon)
GS 3- 6 Explore creatfon of a Heat Island Reductfon Incentfve and Award program prioritfzing areas of
the City with the highest heat island coefficients as identffied in the City's 2021 Ground Cover,
Tree Canopy, and Carbon Sequestratfon Study. Incentfves and awards from governments, utfli-
tfes, and other organizatfons can be an effectfve way to spur individual heat island reductfon
actfons. Incentfves might include below-market loans, tax breaks, product rebates, grants, and
giveaways. Awards can reward exemplary work, highlight innovatfon, and promote solutfons
across the public and private sectors.
Low Medium Equity 3 Sustainability
Click here to
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Click here to
return to Sectfon
GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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HS 1: Educate, engage, and empower the public on health and safety risks
of climate change impacts
HS 1- 1 Establish a communicatfon campaign in alignment with the American Public Health Associatfon
Policy Number: 201711 and educate the public about the hazards of air pollutfon, including in-
door air quality, and the steps individuals can take such as reducing and eliminatfng fossil fuel
use, and available resources to reduce their exposure. Campaign to use a variety of communica-
tfon avenues to reach diverse audiences - partfcularly the City’s top vulnerable populatfons iden-
tffied in the City's Climate Vulnerability Assessment - include multfple methods such as events
at ADA compliant easily accessible locatfons, art, mail, public forums, digital surveys, social me-
dia, websites, etc. Provide easy-to-understand materials and provide childcare and ensure the
availability of translators and interpreters.
Medium Equity 1 Health Division
HS 1- 2 Engage both school districts and private schools to explore the possibility of developing and im-
plementfng an environmental educatfon-integrated curriculum. Low Equity 1 Community En-
gagement
HS 1- 3 Engage with the Public Health Department and other health related agencies to include health
impacts of climate change in Health Impact Assessments and annual reportfng while sharing in-
formatfon about climate risks to health.
Medium 1 Health Division
HS 1- 4 Improve resilience through community co-created educatfon, public and community lead ini-
taitfves. Increase awareness of climate change impacts and emphasize the need for household
and neighborhood preparatfon. Create actfvitfes and messages that capture public interest Pro-
vide opportunitfes for actfon and informatfon on city programs including transportatfon without
cars (biking, walking, transit), tree plantfng, climate friendly yards, etc.
Low Equity 2 Sustainability
HS 1- 5 Support capacity of neighborhood and community groups to implement climate mitfgatfon and
adaptatfon initfatfves. Low 2 Community En-
gagement
HS 1- 6 Encourage the Edina School district to re-establish Go Green committee where each school
sends a rep to monthly meetfngs to report on projects and share ideas. Also encourage schools
have Green teams for teachers, students and parents to promote actfons in line with CAP Goals
such as bike riding, ride sharing , electric charging statfons for EVs, gardens for food, etc.
Low 2 Community En-
gagement
Click here to
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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HS 2 : Assist the City’s vulnerable populations in preparing for climate
change impacts.
HS 2- 1 Make air conditfoned public facilitfes available during poor air quality days and high heat days.
Prepare for public buildings to be used in different ways, both in lower-impact ways, such as
seniors using the library to cool down during hot June days, and as safe-havens during acute
emergencies.
High Equity 1 Health Division
HS 2- 2 Add climate preparedness elements to public health programs already aimed at vulnerable pop-
ulatfons and low-income households and dedicate increased funding to accommodate demand
for public health services among at-risk populatfons.
Medium 1 Health Division
HS 2- 3 Establish a protocol for providing assistance to vulnerable populatfons including low-income
populatfons, communitfes of color, older adults and people with disabilitfes that may face finan-
cial strain caused by climate hazards, such as higher utflity bills, educatfng on environmentally
friendly, cost effectfve alternatfves to air conditfoning, identffy funding sources to support those
populatfons, and provide linkage between those populatfons and supportfve resources. Include
outreach to understand how the City can better assist them in preparing to meet needs. Design
of outreach and protocol should include youth leadership and a convened group representfng
the different vulnerable communitfes in Edina to place their needs be at the center of the devel-
opment of the protocol and process.
Medium Equity 1 Health Division
HS 2- 4 Provide travel vouchers to vulnerable individuals to use during high heat emergencies since lack
of transportatfon is highly correlated to heat vulnerability. High Equity 2 Health Division
HS 2- 5 Create and make available an Emergency Response Toolkit offering tfps and suggestfons for resi-
dents to increase their emergency preparedness. Develop City-based program to support indi-
viduals and families who cannot afford to purchase supplies for household emergency prepared-
ness kits to adequately prepare their homes.
Medium Equity 2 Health Division
Click here to
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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HS 2- 6 Ensure public safety staff is properly trained to recognize and respond to physical and behavioral
signs of heat related illness. Conduct climate change impacts and adaptatfon training for law
enforcement, fire, first responders, and utflitfes. Promote equity in hazard mitfgatfon, and
emergency response and recovery actfvitfes, and consider populatfons most vulnerable to
weather-related emergencies in all plans and exercises, including evacuatfon routes, transporta-
tfon for vulnerable populatfon groups, shelter in place locatfons, back-up power operatfons, ex-
tended access to fuel/power sources and drinking water, etc.
Medium Equity 2 Health Division
HS 3: Establish and update plans to address climate risks and impacts
HS 3- 1 Develop, test, train, and update emergency response plans that address hazards likely to be-
come more frequent or intense as the climate changes, including flood and extreme heat. Plan
for projected increases in weather-related emergencies, especially high-heat days, and the re-
sultfng potentfal for increased violence, mental illness, chemical dependency and addictfon. Co-
ordinate with County to update emergency plans with specific climate change-related emergen-
cy materials including press release templates; informatfon on cooling/heatfng centers, flood
and extreme heat, etc.
High 1 Health Division
HS 3- 2 Establish a policy that requires city infrastructure projects and capital budgets incorporate cli-
mate risk and vulnerability analysis and adaptatfon plans to ensure that future spending contrib-
utes to resilience.
High 1 Sustainability
HS 3- 3 Create preparedness and recovery plans for all City divisions. After weather-related emergency
events, assess response to identffy effectfveness, deficiencies and resources needed to build
future resilience.
Medium 2 Health Division
HS 3- 4 Conduct a health impact assessment to identffy areas with potentfal elevated health risks associ-
ated with climate impacts including unsafe levels of air pollutfon from vehicle traffic and other
sources. Prioritfze use of the data to implement modifying zoning or other improvements.
Medium Equity 2 Health Division
HS 3- 5 Coordinate with the County to develop a debris management plan to support response to se-
vere storm events and flooding. High Equity 2 Public Works
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HS 4: Strengthen community response capacity and social support net-
works
HS 4- 1 Encourage cross-sector collaboratfon (government, business, agency, tribes, non-profit organiza-
tfons) between entftfes working on climate change mitfgatfon and adaptatfon/resiliency. Low 1 Sustainability
HS 4- 2 Form a team to develop actfon plans to address climate-related mental health resilience at the
individual, neighborhood and community level. Develop projectfons and plans for addressing
future mental health needs in Edina. Provide culturally-appropriate resources for health profes-
sionals about the potentfal mental health impacts of climate change including seasonal affectfve
disorder (SAD) and grief counseling.
Medium Equity 1 Health Division
HS 4- 3 Support, leverage create relatfonships with, and enhance community networks and connectfons
for those who require special attentfon, such as people who are elderly, homebound, disabled,
isolated, or those likely to be in need of financial assistance during or after extreme weather
events (heat, cold and heavy precipitatfon).
High Equity 2 Community En-
gagement
HS 4- 4 Build capacity and leadership within communitfes most vulnerable to climate change impacts by
promotfng, supportfng and leveraging community-specific strategies, projects and events. High Equity 2 Sustainability
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Click here to
return to Sectfon
GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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CE 1: Promote economic investment that aligns with the Climate Economy
and the goals of the Climate Action Plan
CE 1- 1 Partner with State and County waste management and local and regional recycling centers to
establish a program to encourage and promote new entrepreneurial businesses advancing the
use of recycled material feed stock, the utflizatfon of organics compostfng, and "Circular Econo-
my" concepts which further the goals of the CAP.
Low Low Equity 1 Economic Devel-
opment
CE 1- 2 Establish a Clean Energy business incubator to support the establishment of innovatfve energy
efficiency and renewable energy business models within the community. Model should priori-
tfze the development of opportunitfes for people with low income, under represented, and peo-
ple with vulnerabilitfes. Incubator services should include a public communicatfons campaign on
the services and benefits of partfcipatfng in an incubator, and how to become engaged. Incuba-
tor should consider a requirement for start up businesses receiving support to provide service/
products to under represented populatfons.
Medium Medium Equity 1 Economic Devel-
opment
CE 1- 3 Foster small business and green business development, partfcularly those which support the
goals of this Climate Actfon Plan such as those that increase resources or utflizatfon of renewa-
ble energy, energy efficiency, quality of life for vulnerable populatfons, improved resilience of
homes and local businesses, etc.
Low Low Equity 2 Economic Devel-
opment
CE 1- 4 Promote Edina as an environmentally friendly destfnatfon by highlightfng the businesses that are
taking steps to reduce resource consumptfon (Green Business Recognitfon program). Low Low 2 Economic Devel-
opment
CE 1- 5 Explore optfons to collaborate to create and promote a market for Certffied Compost from local
sources using City of Edina organic waste. Low Low 3 Health Division
CE 2: Promote workforce development for success in the climate economy
CE 2- 1 Review and suggest potentfal policy changes to identffy current and potentfal future need for
affordable housing including scenarios antfcipatfng climate immigratfon and migratfon poten-
tfals. Affordable housing locatfons should be located with easy access to climate economy jobs
and meet the Buildings and Energy, Transportatfon and Land Use, Climate Adaptatfon, Health
and Safety, and other goals of this CAP plan.
Medium Equity 1 Affordable Hous-
ing
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Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon
High GHG Reductfon
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years)
3 (3-7 years)
GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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CE 2- 2 Engage with local green jobs training providers to coordinate strategic planning and encourage
programs to develop local workforce capacity and assess, train, and place local residents to per-
form energy retrofits, solar pv installatfons, and other green improvements.
Low Low Equity 1 Community De-
velopment
CE 2- 3 Collaborate to establish a jobs training program focused on building workforce with deconstruc-
tfon skills and capacitfes. Job training program should focus on establishing job skills and place-
ment for low income individuals.
Low Low Equity 1 Buildings
CE 2- 4 Collaborate with the School District, local community colleges, unions, local non-profit/
community organizatfons, and employers to establish a paid Green Jobs apprentfceship and in-
ternship program. Program to facilitate the hiring of program graduates through the promotfon
and subsidized internship placement with employers within the City of Edina. Explore establish-
ing a cost sharing / resource sharing component with the businesses benefitfng from intern-
ships. Program to prioritfze internship candidates from households with low income and people
from under represented populatfons.
Medium Low Equity 2 Sustainability
CE 3: Encourage commercial properties and businesses and institutions to
plan for climate resilience
CE 3- 1 Collaborate with partners to ensure redundancy in telecommunicatfons and broadband net-
works to protect commerce and public safety in the event of natural or manmade disasters. Medium 1 Sustainability
CE 3- 2 Provide assistance vetting contractors offering energy, waste, and water audits and efficiency
upgrades, renewable energy installatfons, and EV readiness assessments or equipment installa-
tfons to local businesses. Contractor vetting should include clear indicatfon of important equity
consideratfons such as "small locally owned business", "Woman owned business", and "BIPOC
owned business". Include informatfon on financing optfons such grants and low/no cost assis-
tance.
Equity 1 Sustainability
CE 3- 3 Support climate resilience of local economy by preparing water, road, utflitfes, and other public
infrastructure for increased demands from climate change based on Edina Climate Risk and Vul-
nerability Assessment, Emergency Management Plan, and State climate change data and projec-
tfons.
Medium 1 Engineering
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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CE 3- 4 Create an online assessment of business’ vulnerability/resiliency, including the following topics
and content:
Incentfves or Tax breaks available
Zero Waste improvements
Climate Resiliency
Energy: efficiency and renewables
Emergency Response
Low 2 Sustainability
CE 3- 5 Facilitate in-person discussions with community businesses to build relatfonships to identffy in-
dustry specific economic impacts Edina businesses (partfcularly small businesses and disadvan-
taged group businesses) face based on the climate change based on risks and hazards identffied
in this report, the Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment, and the City/County emergency
management response plan. Collaborate with businesses to Identffy economic resilience strate-
gies in response to those economic vulnerabilitfes and conduct outreach to industry groups and
public-private partnerships to promote private sector investment addressing them.
Medium Equity 2 Economic Devel-
opment
CE 3- 6 Work with community businesses to explore the creatfon of an incentfvized “buy local” cam-
paign to enhance resilience of small local businesses. Low Equity 2 Economic Devel-
opment
CE 3- 7 Make sure key business infrastructure is recognized in the City and County’s general hazard mitf-
gatfon plan and emergency response plan. Medium 2 Health Division
CE 4: Establish dedicated sustainable financing for the City’s climate action
implementation
CE 4- 1 Advocate climate actfon related funding at State level including support of new state multfmodal
transportatfon funding source for transit, bicycle and pedestrian services and facilitfes and
statewide carbon tax or carbon cap generatfng new decarbonizatfon funding sources.
Medium Medium Equity 1 Sustainability
CE 4- 2 Identffy a sustainable funding source for the goals and actfons of this CAP in support of low-
income residents such as energy efficiency projects, mobility and low-carbon transportatfon,
and high quality local food programs.
Medium Medium Equity 1 Sustainability
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GHG
Potentfal scale of greenhouse gas
emissions reductfons:
Resilience:
Potentfal scale or importance of the
climate resilience support:
Equity:
Those actfons with partfcular equity
opportunitfes, concerns, or considera-
tfons are identffied under “Equity”.
Phase:
Antfcipated general initfatfon
tfmeframe of the actfon:
Some Resilience Support
Moderate Resilience Support
High Resilience Support
Some GHG Reductfon
Moderate GHG Reductfon High GHG Reductfon
1 (1-3 years)
2 (2-5 years) 3 (3-7 years)
Action GHG Resilience Equity Phase City Lead
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CE 4- 3 Establish a policy that accounts for all energy efficiency and renewable energy operatfonal cost
savings of City buildings and fleets. All savings to be invested into a Climate Actfon Fund as one
source of financing for the City's climate actfon efforts.
Medium Medium 1 Sustainability
CE 4- 4 Conduct a study to establish an Urban Forestry Product program to sell wood products, and
dedicate funds to climate actfon plan strategy implementatfon. Revenue sources could include:
sale of Ash tree logs removed as a part of the City's EAB management plan, selling tree storm
debris and tree trimming waste to waste-to-energy plant or pelletfzer, selling sugar taping rights
to Maple, Birch, and Walnut trees located on City property and right of way responsibility, etc.
Low Equity 1 Forestry
CE 4- 5 Add a Carbon Impact Fee to all new development as a percentage of the building permit fee.
Additfonal funds raised to be used for Climate Mitfgatfon and Adaptatfon implementatfon. Pro-
jects may apply for a refund if they install on-site renewable energy system and provide docu-
mentatfon that demonstrates the system will offset a minimum of 40% of the site’s energy con-
sumptfon, with sliding scale refunds provided for projects offsetting over 40%.
High High Equity 2 Sustainability
CE 4- 6 Establish a policy to utflize TIF (Tax increment Financing) to incentfvize Mitfgatfon and Adapta-
tfon actfons in line with the goals of the CAP. Medium Low Equity 1 Sustainability
CE 4- 7 Explore the potentfal of collaboratfons with donors, philanthropists, and non-profit foundatfons
to develop a Climate Actfon and Equity Fund for the City of Edina. Low Medium Equity 2 Sustainability
CE 4- 8 Explore adoptfng a tax financing mechanism such as a "resilience penny" property tax increase
of $0.01 per $100 of assessed value and dedicate additfonal funds for climate mitfgatfon and
climate adaptatfon strategies. Funds may be used directly, or may be used as a repayment
source for a bond issue.
High High Equity 2 Sustainability
Climate Action Baseline Study
To support the City of Edina Climate Action Plan
planning team members, the paleBLUEdot team
assembled the Climate Action Baseline Study.
This document provided a review of a wide range
of community wide metrics, data, and compari-
sons against regional peer communities for each
of the climate action plan sectors included in this
report. The document also included preliminary
sector specific draft strategic goal recommenda-
tions for the Climate Action Plan planning team
to consider, discuss, and revise at the beginning
of the planning team effort.
Click on the link below to access the document:
https://view.publitas.com/palebluedot/edina-climate-
action-baseline-assessment/
Climate Vulnerability Assessment
At the beginning of the Climate Action Planning
effort, the paleBLUEdot team developed a Cli-
mate Vulnerability Assessment for the City of
Edina. The assessment included the identifica-
tion of vulnerable populations within the com-
munity and possible impacts and risks associated
with projected climate change for the region.
paleBLUEdot mapped the vulnerable populations
within the City as well as existing City infrastruc-
ture and resources which may be capable of sup-
porting climate adaptation strategies. These as-
sessments provided a basis for understanding
vulnerabilities and resources which supported
the decision making process needed for identify-
ing and prioritizing climate adaptation measures
to be included in the final Climate Action Plan.
The Assessment focused on City-Wide vulnerabil-
ities with a particular focus on climate vulnerable
populations to ensure all populations benefit
from proposed implementation measures.
Click on the link below to access the document:
https://view.publitas.com/palebluedot/edina-
climate-vulnerability-assessment/
Community Wide GHG Inventory
paleBLUEdot compiled a Community Greenhouse
Gas Inventory. The assessment included collec-
tion of raw data and calculation of greenhouse
gas emissions for each of the primary emissions
sectors included in this Climate Action Plan. The
inventory included both community-wide emis-
sions as well as municipal operations. The report
included community-wide emissions comparisons
against communities within the State and region.
Click on the link below to access the document:
https://view.publitas.com/palebluedot/edina-
2019-ghg-inventory-4k8a6qoor97b/
Community Wide Ground Cover, Tree Canopy
and Carbon Sequestration Study
paleBLUEdot conducted a baseline assessment of
City-Wide ground cover and tree canopy extent.
This baseline expanded on information available
through the City’s owned and boulevard tree sur-
vey and covered City-wide conditions. The study
identified ground cover conditions (grass, water,
wetland, tree canopy) City-wide as well as by
neighborhood/census tract. Based on the
groundcover data, calculations were made for
annual carbon sequestration rates, carbon stock,
tree canopy/green space economic value, and
pollution absorption rates (CO, O3, NO2, SO2,
particulate pollution).
Included in this assessment was an assessment of
City-Wide heat island characteristics and condi-
tions. The study identified impervious surface
conditions and coverage (sidewalks, roadway,
parking, and building) and compiled data in sub-
categories of light reflective and light absorbent
conditions. Baseline calculations were made for
overall heat island contribution coefficient by
neighborhood (expressed as summer night time
degrees F above natural conditions, calculations
based on research and formulas compiled by the
University of Minnesota and Minnesota State
University).
Click on the link below to access the document:
https://view.publitas.com/palebluedot/edina-ground-
cover-survey-and-sequestration-study/
Click here to
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Community Wide Solar Energy Potentials Study
In support of development of effective renewable
energy goalsetting and to establish strategies ad-
dressing renewable energy development,
paleBLUEdot conducted a Community-Wide solar
pv potentials study including economic and envi-
ronmental benefits. This effort included:
1) Collect Village-wide satellite data (NREL, NO-
AA, and NASA data).
2) Determine building roof stock characteristics
and solar suitable buildings, calculate total
suitable areas by roof configuration/
orientation.
3) Calculate total rooftop solar capacity and
annual energy generation by roof configura-
tion/orientation.
4) Identify cost efficient annual energy genera-
tion potential.
5) Research solar market at national, State and
regional levels. Identify low, medium, and
high solar market absorption rates and Vil-
lage-wide solar pv goals.
6) Identify environmental and economic benefit
of solar including economic development
and job creation potential. (NREL JEDI mod-
el)
7) Develop City-Wide Renewable Solar Energy
Potentials report.
Click on the link below to access the document:
https://view.publitas.com/palebluedot/edina-
renewable-potentials-study/
Click here to
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City of Edina GHG Forecast Assumptions:
Demographics:
Population: Total Population projections through 2050 are projected
based on City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
Households: Total household counts through 2050 are projected based on
City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
Jobs: Total commercial and industrial jobs through 2050 are projected
based on City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
Climate Data
Cooling Degree Days (CDD): Projected climate changes for the region will
include increased summer temperatures. The increase in tempera-
tures will result in an increase, or variability, in air conditioning de-
mand. The forecast calculates annual changes in air conditioning de-
mand based on projections provided by the “Climate Explorer” tool
developed by US NOAA in support of the National Climate Assessment
work. https://crt-climate-explorer.nemac.org/
Heating Degree Days (HDD): Projected climate changes for the region will
include increased winter temperatures. The increase in temperatures
will result in a decrease, or variability, in building heating demand.
The forecast calculates annual changes in heating demand based on
projections provided by the “Climate Explorer” tool developed by US
NOAA in support of the National Climate Assessment work. https://crt
-climate-explorer.nemac.org/
Electricity:
Residential: Demand is based on a per household basis and modified
based on the projected Cooling Degree Days for each year, assuming
15% of electricity is used for cooling (RCP 8.5 model). 50% of project-
ed increased electrical vehicle usage is attributed to residential EV
charging.
Commercial and Industrial: Demand is based on a per job basis and modi-
fied based on projected cooling degree days for each year, assuming
that 15% of commercial and 7.5% of industrial electricity is used for
cooling. (RCP 8.5 model). 50% of projected increased electrical vehicle
usage is attributed to commercial EV charging..
All electricity emission factors are calculated using estimated emissions
factors for 2030, 2040, and 2050 based on current, known, supplier
commitments. For electrical suppliers with unknown or unestablished
emission commitments, and for electricity purchased from the SERC
grid, electricity emission factors are calculated based on EPA forecasts
(https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R45453.pdf). Estimated emissions fac-
tors are reduced 5% by 2030, 10% by 2040, and 15% by 2050.
Natural Gas:
Residential: Demand is based on a per household basis and modified based
on the projected Heating Degree Days for each year, assuming 75% of
natural gas is used for heating (RCP 8.5 model).
Commercial and Industrial: Demand is based on a per job basis and modi-
fied based on projected heating degree days for each year, assuming
that 40% of commercial and 20% of industrial natural gas is used for
heating (RCP 8.5 model).
Natural Gas emissions factors are projected to be unchanged.
Transportation:
Vehicle Miles Traveled is based on US Department of Transportation VMT
per capita projections through 2050 (1.1% annual growth rate through
2037 and 0.8% annual growth rate from 2038 through 2050.
https://www.ffwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/tables/vmt/
vmt_forecast_sum.cfm
Vehicle fuel use is calculated based on US Energy Information Agency pro-
jected rolling stock average fuel efficiency projections, modified to
85% projected MPG to account for heavy duty vehicle MPG share
(based on US Department of Transportation data on current light duty
to average all vehicle MPG ratios)
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=31332
Total vehicle stock is based on per household projections maintaining ex-
isting average number of vehicles per household.
Electric Vehicle Adoption: National projections expect an increased up-
take of electric vehicles in coming years. The Edison Electric Institute
has estimated that electric vehicle will be 7% of all vehicles on the
road in the country by 2030. (http://www.ehcar.net/library/rapport/
rapport233.pdf, https://berla.co/average-us-vehicle-lifespan/).
Solid Waste:
Total Solid Waste handled is based on total number of households and
maintaining existing volume per household and emissions factors
per ton handled.
Wastewater:
Total Wastewater handled is based on total number of households and
maintaining existing volume per household and emissions factors
per household.
Note:
GHG emissions forecasts are not predictions of what will happen, but ra-
ther modeled projections of what may happen given certain assumptions
and methodologies. GHG forecasts in this report should be interpreted
with a clear understanding of the assumptions that inform them and the
limitations inherent in any modeling efhort.
To the right are infographics developed during
the Climate Action Plan planning efhort in sup-
port of the City’s communications.
Click on the link below to access the in-
fographics:
https://palebluedot.llc/edina-climate-
infographics
Click here to
return to TOC
The following document the calculations and
source references used for estimating the po-
tential cumulative community-wide cost sav-
ings of the actions included in the Climate Ac-
tion Plan
Click here to
return to TOC
Summary of Estimated Cumulative Savings of Modeled Reductions
City of Edina
Notes Transportation
VMT Reductions (public transit, bike, walk, etc)
Formula:
Cumulative vehicle miles saved x Average vehicle operation cost per mile = Gross VMT savings
VMT saved (year 10)75,734,152
Cumulative vehicle miles saved:339,815,848
1 Average vehicle operating cost per mile:$0.690
Gross VMT savings $234,472,935
Increased Public Transit Use (commuter)
Formula:
Cumulative increased public transit mileage x Average public transit cost per mile (commuter) = Increased spending on public transit
Increased public transit miles (year 10)23,474,238
Cumulative increased public transit miles:103,417,977
2 Average public transit cost per mile $0.130
Increased spending on public transit $13,444,337
EV and Alt Fuel Conversions
Formula:
VMT converted to EV/Alt fuel (year 10)179,223,334
Cumulative VMT converted to EV/alt fuel 813,705,936
3 Average fuel savings per mile:$0.140
4 Average vehicle maintenance savings per mile:$0.040
1 Savings per VMT based on AAA estimates https://exchange.aaa.com/automotive/driving‐costs/#.YGUQZD9OlPY , https://www.slashgear.com/aaa‐
says‐it‐costs‐about‐74‐cents‐per‐mile‐to‐drive‐23496316/ https://www.thesimpledollar.com/save‐money/is‐it‐really‐cheaper‐to‐ride‐the‐bus/
2 Cost per commuter public transit mile calculated using cost of monthly transit pass divided by average monthly commuter miles.
https://www.census.gov/programs‐surveys/sis/resources/data‐tools/quickfacts.html https://www.transitchicago.com/passes/
Cumulative VMT converted to EV/alt fuel x Average vehicle operation cost savings per mile = Gross EV VMT savings ‐ Gross EV purchase spending
difference = Net EV VMT Savings
Gross EV VMT savings $146,179,031
5 Spending difference per vehicle on EV purchase vs ICE purchase (anualiz ‐$1,120.600
New electric vehicle purchases 8,743
Gross EV purchase spending difference ‐$44,088,326
Net EV VMT savings $102,090,705
Potential Total Cumulative Transportation Cost Savings
Formula:
Transportation sector savings ‐ Transportation sector cost increases = Potentail Total Cumulative Transportation Cost Savigns
Transportation Sector Savings
Gross VMT savings $234,472,935
Gross EV VMT savings $146,179,031
Total Gross Transportation Savings $380,651,966
Transportation Sector Cost Increases
Increased spending on public transit ‐$13,444,337
Gross EV purchase spending difference ‐$44,088,326
Total Gross Transportation Cost Increases ‐$57,532,663
Potentail Total Cumulative Transportation Cost Savings $323,119,304
3 Fuel Savings per VMT based on average reported gasoline costs (https://gasprices.aaa.com/state‐gas‐price‐averages/) divided by current average MPG
(Federal Highway Administration: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/quickfinddata/qftravel.cfm) compared against average fuel cost per mile
using current kWh rate (https://www.electricitylocal.com/ ) and average kWh/100 mile data
(https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSearch.do?action=noform&path=1&year1=2017&year2=2019&vtype=Electric)
4 Maintenance savings per mile based on US Department of Energy FOTW #1190, June 14, 2021: Battery‐Electric Vehicles Have Lower Scheduled
Maintenance Costs than Other Light‐Duty Vehicles: https://www.energy.gov/eere/vehicles/articles/fotw‐1190‐june‐14‐2021‐battery‐electric‐vehicles‐
have‐lower‐scheduled
5 Average EV purchase price increse per vehicle on Kelly Blue Book average EV purchase price compared to average gasoline vehicle purchase price
(https://mediaroom.kbb.com/2021‐05‐18‐Average‐New‐Vehicle‐Prices‐Continue‐to‐Climb,‐up‐2‐2‐Year‐Over‐Year‐for‐April‐2021,‐According‐to‐Kelley‐
Blue‐Book ) divided by assumed average lifespan of 10 years
Summary of Estimated Cumulative Savings of Modeled Reductions
City of Edina
Notes Energy ‐ Residential
Residential Savings ‐ grid electricity to solar
Formula:
Cumulative kWh converted to solar x Average cost savings per kWh = Residential solar savings
Residential kWh converted (year 10)50,113,768
Cumulative residential kWh converted 235,434,480
Average solar cost savings per solar PV kWh $0.067
6a Average solar installation cost per KW $2,740.00
7 Average kWh produced annually per solar pv KW installed 1,287
Estimated installed solar PV KW installed (year 10)38,938
Estimated total solar installation costs $106,691,316.488
8 Estimated average lifespan kWh produced per solar pv KW installed 38,429
8 Estimated cumulative lifespan kWh produced 1,496,365,791
9 Estimated value of cumulative lifespan kWh produced $207,030,985.920
Average solar cost savings per kWh produced $0.067
Residential solar savings $15,787,195
Residential Savings ‐ electrical energy efficiency
Formula:
Residential kWh saved (year 10)39,644,966
Cumulative residential kWh saved 164,098,722
11 Average cost per kWh $0.114
Gross Residential electrical energy efficiency savings $18,625,205
Cumulative kWh saved from energy efficiency x Average cost per kWh = Gross Residential electrical energy efficiency savings ‐ Residential Efficiency
Upgrade Costs = Net Residential Electrical Energy Efficiency Savings
6a Recent average cost per KW is 1000x the per watt cost reported by Solar Reviews https://www.solarreviews.com/solar‐panel‐cost/minnesota
7 Calculations are based on the geographic energy production factor (https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/35297.pdf) multiplied by an average
performance ratio of 78% ( https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy13osti/57991.pdf )
8 Based on an assumed average useful life of 32.5 years according to NREL research (https://www.nrel.gov/analysis/tech‐footprint.html) with an average
degradation rate of 5% (https://www.nrel.gov/state‐local‐tribal/blog/posts/stat‐faqs‐part2‐lifetime‐of‐pv‐panels.html)
9 Svings per kWh based on average electricity cost per kWh (https://www.electricitylocal.com/) calculated to year 10 using an average electrical cost
inflation of 2% annually
12 Residential Electrical Efficiency Upgrade Costs $16,390,180
Net Residential Electrical Energy Efficiency Savings $2,235,025
Residential Savings ‐ natural gas energy efficiency
Formula:
13 Residential therms saved (year 10)14,846,498
13 Cumulative residential therms saved 71,101,087
14 Average cost per therm $1.40
Gross Residential natural gas energy efficiency savings $99,399,319
13,15 Residential Natural Gas Efficiency Upgrade Costs $87,471,401
Net Residential Electrical Natrual Gas Efficiency Savings $11,927,918
Residential Savings ‐ increased electrical expenditures from fuel switching
Formula:
Residential increased kWh from fuel switching (year 10)34,049,132
Residential cumulative increased kWh from fuel switching (all years)153,221,093
Residential increased kWh from EV charging Included in EV calculations
16 Average cost per kWh $0.114
Residential increased electrical costs $17,390,594
11 Energy efficiency savings per kWh saved based on average electricity cost per kWh: https://www.electricitylocal.com/
14 Energy efficiency savings for natural gas is based on average natural gas cost per therm https://naturalgaslocal.com/
12 Assumed energy efficiency upgrade costs are calculated assuming an average ROI of12% (https://www.aceee.org/blog/2019/05/existing‐homes‐
energy‐efficiency)
Cumulative therms saved from energy efficiency x Average cost per therm = Gross Residential natural gas energy efficiency savings ‐ Residential
Natural Gas Efficiency Upgrade Costs = Net Residential Electrical Natural Gas Efficiency Savings
(Cumulative increased kWh from fuel switching + Cummulative increased kWh from electric vehicle charging) x Average cost per kWh = Residential
increased electrical costs
15 Assumed energy efficiency upgrade costs are calculated assuming an average ROI of12% (https://www.aceee.org/blog/2019/05/existing‐homes‐
energy‐efficiency)
16 Average cost per kWh based on average for community (https://www.electricitylocal.com/ )
13 Includes fuel switching from fossil fuel heat to electric
Potential Total Cumulative Residential Energy Cost Savings
Formula:
Residential solar savings $15,787,195
Residential electrical efficiency savings (net)$2,235,025
Residential natural gas energy efficiency savings (net)$11,927,918
Residential increased electrical costs (fuel switch)‐$17,390,594
Potentail Total Cumulative Residential Energy Savings $12,559,543
Residential solar savings + Residential community solar savings + Residential electrical efficiency savings + Residential natural gas energy efficiency
savings ‐ Residential increased electrical costs = Potential Total Cumulative Residential Energy Savings
Summary of Estimated Cumulative Savings of Modeled Reductions
City of Edina
Notes Energy ‐ Commercial
Commercial Savings ‐ grid electricity to solar
Formula:
Cumulative kWh converted to solar x Average cost savings per kWh = Commercial solar savings
Commercial kWh converted (year 10)84,359,463
Cumulative commercial kWh converted 461,235,400
Average solar cost savings per solar PV kWh $0.063
6b Average solar installation cost per KW $1,720.00
7 Average kWh produced annually per solar pv KW installed 1,287
Estimated installed solar PV KW installed (year 10)65,547
Estimated total solar installation costs $112,741,473.473
8 Estimated average lifespan kWh produced per solar pv KW installed 38,429
8 Estimated cumulative lifespan kWh produced 2,518,920,841
9 Estimated value of cumulative lifespan kWh produced $271,436,659.691
Average solar cost savings per kWh produced $0.063
Commercial solar savings $29,058,411
Commercial Savings ‐ electrical energy efficiency
Formula:
Commercial kWh saved (year 10)59,969,822
Cumulative commercial kWh saved 269,864,197
11 Average cost per kWh $0.088
Gross Commercial electrical energy efficiency savings $23,855,995
6b Recent average cost per KW is 1000x the per watt cost reported for commercial solar arrays by NREL https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy21osti/77324.pdf
Cumulative kWh saved from energy efficiency x Average cost per kWh = Gross Commercial electrical energy efficiency savings ‐ Commercial Efficiency
Upgrade Costs = Net Commercial Electrical Energy Efficiency Savings
7 Calculations are based on the geographic energy production factor (https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/35297.pdf) multiplied by an average
performance ratio of 78% ( https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy13osti/57991.pdf )
8 Based on an assumed average useful life of 32.5 years according to NREL research (https://www.nrel.gov/analysis/tech‐footprint.html) with an average
degradation rate of 5% (https://www.nrel.gov/state‐local‐tribal/blog/posts/stat‐faqs‐part2‐lifetime‐of‐pv‐panels.html)
9 Svings per kWh based on average electricity cost per kWh (https://www.electricitylocal.com/) calculated to year 10 using an average electrical cost
inflation of 2% annually
12 Commercial Electrical Efficiency Upgrade Costs $20,993,276
Net Commercial Electrical Energy Efficiency Savings $2,862,719
Commercial Savings ‐ natural gas energy efficiency
Formula:
13 Commercial therms saved (year 10)12,485,708
13 Cumulative commercial therms saved 56,441,076
14 Average cost per therm $0.660
Gross Commercial natrual gas energy efficiency savings $37,251,110
13,15 Commercial Natural Gas Efficiency Upgrade Costs $32,780,977
Net Commercial Natural Gas Energy Efficiency Savings $4,470,133
Commercial Savings ‐ increased electrical expenditures from fuel switching
Formula:
Commercial increased kWh from fuel switching (year 10)48,172,604
Commercial increased kWh from EV charging (year 10)Included in EV calculations
Commercial cumulative increased kWh from fuel switching (all years)99,315,124
16 Average cost per kWh $0.088
Commercial increased electrical costs $8,779,457
11 Energy efficiency savings per kWh saved based on average electricity cost per kWh: https://www.electricitylocal.com/
12 Assumed energy efficiency upgrade costs are calculated assuming an average ROI of12% (https://www.aceee.org/blog/2019/05/existing‐homes‐
energy‐efficiency)
Cumulative therms saved from energy efficiency x Average cost per therm = Gross Commercial natural gas energy efficiency savings ‐ Commercial
Natural Gas Efficiency Upgrade Costs = Net Commercial Electrical Natural Gas Efficiency Savings
13 Includes fuel switching from fossil fuel heat to electric
14 Energy efficiency savings for natural gas is based on average natural gas cost per therm https://naturalgaslocal.com/
15 Assumed energy efficiency upgrade costs are calculated assuming an average ROI of12% (https://www.aceee.org/blog/2019/05/existing‐homes‐
energy‐efficiency)
(Cumulative increased kWh from fuel switching + Cummulative increased kWh from electric vehicle charging) x Average cost per kWh = Commercial
increased electrical costs
16 Energy efficiency savings per kWh saved based on average electricity cost per kWh: https://www.electricitylocal.com/
Potential Total Cumulative Commercial Energy Cost Savings
Formula:
Commercial solar savings $29,058,411
Commercial electrical efficiency savings $2,862,719
Commercial natural gas energy efficiency savings $4,470,133
Commercial increased electrical costs (fuel switch)‐$8,779,457
Potentail Total Cumulative Commercial Energy Savings $27,611,807
Potential Total Cumulative Energy Cost Savings (Residential + Commercial)
Energy sector savings ‐ Energy sector cost increases = Potentail Total Cumulative Energy Cost Savigns
Energy Sector Savings
Total solar energy savings $44,845,606
Total energy efficiency savings ‐ electricity $42,481,200
Total energy efficiency savings ‐ natrual gas $136,650,429
Total Gross Energy Savings $223,977,235
Energy Sector Cost Increases
Total solar PV installation costs (included in estimated Total Solar Energy Savings)
Total energy efficiency upgrade costs ‐ electricity ‐$37,383,456
Total energy efficiency upgrade costs ‐ natrual gas ‐$120,252,378
Total increased electrical costs (fuel switch)‐$26,170,051
Total Gross Energy Cost Increases ‐$183,805,885
Potentail Total Cumulative Energy Cost Savings $40,171,350
Formula:
Commercial solar savings + Commercial community solar savings + Commercial electrical efficiency savings + Commercial natural gas energy efficiency
savings ‐ Commercial increased electrical costs = Potentail Total Cumulative Commercial Energy Savings
Summary of Estimated Cumulative Savings of Modeled Reductions
City of Edina
Notes Solid Waste ‐ Residential
Residential savings ‐ Food Waste Reduction
Formula:
Cumulative tons of food waste reduced and diverted x Average cost savings per ton = Residential food waste savings
Residential food waste reduced (year 10)1,910
Cumulative residential food waste reduced 8,594
11 Average cost savings per ton reduced $2,469
Residential food waste savings $21,219,114
Potential Total Cumulative Residential Solid Waste Reduction Cost Savings
Residential food waste savings $21,219,114
Notes Solid Waste ‐ Commercial
Commercial savings ‐ Solid Waste Reduction
Formula:
Cumulative participant/years x Average reported cost savings per participant/year = Commercial solid waste savings
Participating businesses (year 10)300
Cumulative participant/years 1,650
12 Average cost savings per participant/year $475
Commercial solid waste savings $641,250
11 Value per ton of residential food waste avoided is based on average for Prevent and Recover strategies by ReFED "A ROADMAP TO REDUCE U.S. FOOD
12 Savings per business engaged in waste reduction programs are based on MN WasteWise reported average business savings ($431) escallated to 5 year
Commercial savings ‐ Food Waste Reduction
Formula:
Cumulative tons of food waste reduced and diverted x Average cost savings per ton = Commercial food waste savings
Commercial food waste reduced (year 10)2,334
Cumulative residential food waste reduced 10,504
13 Average cost savings per ton reduced $494
Commercial food waste savings $5,186,895
Potential Total Cumulative Solid Waste Savings
Formula:
Residential Food Waste Savings $21,219,114
Commercial Solid Waste Savings $641,250
Commercial Food Waste Savings $5,186,895
Potentail Total Cumulative Solid Waste Savings $27,047,258
813waste/ .
Residential Food Waste Savings + Commercial Solid Waste Savings + Commercial Food Waste Savings = Potentail Total Cumulative Solid Waste Savings
The following is a glossary of climate action,
resilience, and sustainability terms used in this
Climate Action Plan
Click here to
return to TOC
Climate and Sustainability Glossary of Terms
1
Abbreviations
BAU Business as usual
BEV Battery electric vehicle
BIPOC Black, Indigenous, People of Color
C&D Construction and demolition
CAP Climate Action Plan
CE Carbon Equivalent
CDP Carbon Disclosure Project
CFC Chlorofluorocarbons
CH4 Methane CHP Combined Heat and Power
CO2 Carbon dioxide
CO2e Carbon dioxide equivalent
CSG Community Solar Garden
DOE U.S. Department of Energy
EMS Emergency medical services
EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EV Electric vehicle
EVSE Electric vehicle supply equipment
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
FTE Full-time equivalent
GCoM Global Covenant of Mayors
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GHG Greenhouse gas
GWP Global warming potential HFC Hydrofluorocarbons
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
kWh Kilowatt-hour
LEV Low emission vehicle
MWH Megawatt hour – 1,000 Kilowatt-hours
MSW Municipal Solid Waste
MT Metric tons
MMT Million Metric tons
MTCO2e Metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
N2O Nitrous Oxide
NOx Nitrogen Oxides
NZE Net-zero Emissions
O3 Ozone ODS Ozone Depleting Substances
PACE Property Assessed Clean Energy
PFC Perfluorocarbons
PHEV Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
PM2.5 Particulate matter of 2.5 micrometer diameter or less
POC People of Color
PPA Power Purchase Agreement
PUB Public Utilities Board
REC Renewable Energy Credit
SO2 Sulfur Dioxide
SF6 Sulfur Hexafluoride
SULEV Super ultra-low emission vehicle
t Metric Ton
TOG Total Organic Gasses
USGS U.S. Geological Survey
VMT Vehicle miles traveled
ZEV Zero emission vehicle
Climate and Sustainability Glossary of Terms
2
A
Action
Actions are detailed items that should be completed in order to carry out
the vision and strategies identified in the plan.
Activity Data
Data on the magnitude of a human activity resulting in emissions or
removals taking place during a given period of time. Data on energy use,
metal production, land areas, management systems, lime and fertilizer use
and waste arisings are examples of activity data. (IPCC)
Adaptation
See “Climate Adaptation or Resilience”
Adaptive Capacity
The social, technical skills, and financial capacities of individuals and groups to implement and maintain climate actions.
Aerosols
A collection of airborne solid or liquid particles, with a typical size between
0.01 and 10 micrometer that reside in the atmosphere for at least several
hours. Aerosols may be of either natural or anthropogenic origin. Aerosols
may influence climate in several ways: directly through scattering and
absorbing radiation, and indirectly by acting as cloud condensation nuclei
or modifying the optical properties and lifetime of clouds. (IPCC2)
Afforestation
Planting of new forests on lands that historically have not contained
forests. (IPCC2)
Air Pollutant
Any man-made and/or natural substance occurring in the atmosphere that
may result in adverse effects to humans, animals, vegetation, and/or
materials. (CARB)
Anthropogenic
The term "anthropogenic", in the context of greenhouse gas inventories,
refers to greenhouse gas emissions and removals that are a direct result of
human activities or are the result of natural processes that have been
affected by human activities. (USEPA2)
Atmosphere
The gaseous envelope surrounding the Earth. The dry atmosphere consists
almost entirely of nitrogen (78.1% volume mixing ratio) and oxygen (20.9%
volume mixing ratio), together with a number of trace gases, such as argon
(0.93% volume mixing ratio), helium and radiatively active greenhouse
gases such as carbon dioxide (0.035% volume mixing ratio) and ozone. In
addition, the atmosphere contains the greenhouse gas water vapor, whose
amounts are highly variable but typically around 1% volume mixing ratio.
The atmosphere also contains clouds and aerosols. (IPCC2)
B
Baseline Emissions
A baseline is a measurement, calculation, or time used as a basis for
comparison. Baseline emissions are the level of emissions that would occur
without policy intervention or without implementation of a project.
Baseline estimates are needed to determine the effectiveness of emission
reduction programs (also called mitigation strategies).
Base Year
The starting year for the inventory. Targets for reducing GHG emissions are
often defined in relation to the base year.
BAU
See “Business As Usual Forecast”
Biogenic
Produced by the biological processes of living organisms. Note that we use
the term "biogenic" to refer only to recently produced (that is non-fossil)
material of biological origin. IPCC guidelines recommend that peat be
Climate and Sustainability Glossary of Terms
3
treated as a fossil carbon because it takes a long time to replace harvested
peat.
Biogeochemical Cycle
Movements through the Earth system of key chemical constituents
essential to life, such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and phosphorus. (NASA)
Biomass
Either (1) the total mass of living organisms in a given area or of a given
species usually expressed as dry weight; or (2) Organic matter consisting of
or recently derived from living organisms (especially regarded as fuel)
excluding peat. Includes products, by-products and waste derived from
such material. (IPCC1)
Biomass Waste
Organic non-fossil material of biological origin that is a byproduct or a discarded product. "Biomass waste" includes municipal solid waste from
biogenic sources, landfill gas, sludge waste, agricultural crop byproducts,
straw, and other biomass solids, liquids, and gases; but excludes wood and
wood-derived fuels (including black liquor), biofuels feedstock, biodiesel,
and fuel ethanol. Note: EIA "biomass waste" data also include energy crops
grown specifically for energy production, which would not normally
constitute waste. (EIA)
BIPOC
“Black, Indigenous, and People of Color” this is a term specific to the
United States, intended to center the experiences of Black and Indigenous
groups as representative of or shaping the socio-economic dynamics
experienced by all people of color.
Black Carbon
Operationally defined aerosol species based on measurement of light
absorption and chemical reactivity and/or thermal stability; consists of
soot, charcoal and/or possible light absorbing refractory organic matter
(Charlson and Heintzenberg, 1995, p. 401). (IPCC2)
Blue Carbon
Carbon sequestered and stored by wetlands and other coastal ecosystems
helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Business As Usual Forecast
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines a
“business-as-usual” forecast as the level of emissions that would result if
future development trends follow those of the past and no changes in
policies take place. A BAU forecast assumes that no emission-reduction
actions will be undertaken beyond those already in place, mandated by
State or Federal policy, or committed to in the base year.
C
Carbon Cycle
All parts (reservoirs) and fluxes of carbon. The cycle is usually thought of as
four main reservoirs of carbon interconnected by pathways of exchange. The reservoirs are the atmosphere, terrestrial biosphere (usually includes
freshwater systems), oceans, and sediments (includes fossil fuels). The
annual movements of carbon, the carbon exchanges between reservoirs,
occur because of various chemical, physical, geological, and biological
processes. The ocean contains the largest pool of carbon near the surface
of the Earth, but most of that pool is not involved with rapid exchange with
the atmosphere. (NASA)
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
A naturally occurring gas, and also a by-product of burning fossil fuels and
biomass, as well as land-use changes and other industrial processes. It is
the principal anthropogenic greenhouse gas that affects the Earth's
radiative balance. It is the reference gas against which other greenhouse
gases are measured and therefore has a Global Warming Potential of 1.
(IPCC2)
Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e)
A metric used to compare emissions of various greenhouse gases. It is the
mass of carbon dioxide that would produce the same estimated radiative
forcing as a given mass of another greenhouse gas. Carbon dioxide
Climate and Sustainability Glossary of Terms
4
equivalents are computed by multiplying the mass of the gas emitted by its
global warming potential.
Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)
An international organization that administers a platform for organizations
and cities to publicly disclose their environmental impacts, such as climate
risk. CDP is one of the approved disclosure platforms utilized by GCoM.
Carbon Emissions
The release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Primary human
sources of the release of carbon dioxide occur from burning oil, coal, and
gas for energy use.
Carbon Equivalent (CE)
A metric measure used to compare the emissions of the different
greenhouse gases based upon their global warming potential. Carbon equivalents can be calculated from to carbon dioxide equivalents by
multiplying the carbon dioxide equivalents by 12/44 (the ratio of the
molecular weight of carbon to that of carbon dioxide). The use of carbon
equivalent is declining in GHG inventories.
Carbon Intensity
The amount of carbon by weight emitted per unit of energy consumed. A
common measure of carbon intensity is weight of carbon per British
thermal unit (Btu) of energy. When there is only one fossil fuel under
consideration, the carbon intensity and the emissions coefficient are
identical. When there are several fuels, carbon intensity is based on their
combined emissions coefficients weighted by their energy consumption
levels. (EIA)
Carbon Neutrality
“Carbon neutrality” means annual zero net anthropogenic (human caused
or influenced) CO2 emissions by a certain date. By definition, carbon
neutrality means every ton of anthropogenic CO2 emitted is compensated
with an equivalent amount of CO2 removed (e.g. via carbon
sequestration).
Carbon Sinks
A forest, ocean, or other natural environment viewed in terms of its
ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Carbon Sequestration
This refers to the capture of CO2 from the atmosphere and its long term
storage in oceans (oceanic carbon sequestration), in biomass and soils
(terrestrial carbon sequestration) or in underground reservoirs (geologic
carbon sequestration).
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Greenhouse gases covered under the 1987 Montreal Protocol and used for
refrigeration, air conditioning, packaging, insulation, solvents, or aerosol
propellants. Because they are not destroyed in the lower atmosphere,
CFCs drift into the upper atmosphere where, given suitable conditions, they break down ozone. These gases are being replaced by other
compounds, including hydrochlorofluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons,
which are greenhouse gases covered under the Kyoto Protocol. (IPCC3)
Circular Economy
An alternative to a traditional linear economy (make, use, dispose) in
which an economy is a regenerative system where resource input and
waste are minimized. This is achieved through long-lasting product design,
repair, reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling. Circular economy strategies
are often cited as systems level approaches to reducing waste generation
through product and system design.
Climate
Climate in a narrow sense is usually defined as the "average weather" or
more rigorously as the statistical description in terms of the mean and
variability of relevant quantities over a period of time ranging from months
to thousands or millions of years. The classical period is 30 years, as
defined by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). These relevant
quantities are most often surface variables such as temperature,
Climate and Sustainability Glossary of Terms
5
precipitation, and wind. Climate in a wider sense is the state, including a
statistical description, of the climate system. (IPCC2)
Climate Adaptation or Resilience
The capacity of a natural environment to prevent, withstand, respond to,
and recover from a disruption. The process of adjusting to new climate
conditions in order to reduce risks to valued assets. Adaptation is achieved
through actions taken to increase resilience to climate change impacts by
reducing vulnerability.
Climate Change
Climate change refers to a statistically significant variation in either the
mean state of the climate or in its variability, persisting for an extended
period (typically decades or longer). Climate change may be due to natural
internal processes or external forcings, or to persistent anthropogenic
changes in the composition of the atmosphere or in land use. (IPCC2)
Climate Hazard
An extreme climate event or condition that can harm human health,
livelihoods, or natural resources. It can include abrupt changes to the
climate system such as extreme precipitation, storms, droughts, and heat
waves.
Climate Model
A quantitative method to simulate interactions of the important drivers of
climate—including atmosphere, oceans, land, and ice—to develop
projections of future climate.
Climate Scenario
A coherent, internally consistent, plausible description of possible climatic
conditions
Climate Risk
The potential for consequences where something of value is at stake and
where the outcome is uncertain, recognizing the diversity of values. Risk is
often represented as probability of occurrence of hazardous events or
trends multiplied by the impacts if these events or trends occur. Risk
results from the interaction of vulnerability and hazard. (IPCC):
Climate Vulnerability
Is the degree to which a system is susceptible to, and unable to cope with,
adverse effects of climate change, including climate variability and
extremes. Vulnerability is a function of the character, magnitude and rate
of climate change and variation to which a system is exposed, its
sensitivity, and its capacity to adapt.
Vulnerability = potential impact (sensitivity x exposure) – adaptive capacity
(IPCC):
Climate Vulnerability Assessment
A report used to identify and define the risks posed by climate change and
inform adaptation measures needed to combat climate change. Reports
can be about a wide range of fields including food security, poverty analysis, and extreme weather events.
Co-Benefit
Indirect benefits to the community (e.g., public health, economic, equity)
caused by climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, actions, and
policies.
Co-generation
Co-generation is an industrial structure, installation, plant, building, or self-
generating facility that has sequential or simultaneous generation of
multiple forms of useful energy (usually mechanical and thermal) in a
single, integrated system. (CARB)
Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
Combined heat and power is the simultaneous production of both
electricity and useful heat for application by the producer or to be sold to
other users with the aim of better utilisation of the energy used. Public
utilities may utilise part of the heat produced in power plants and sell it for
public heating purposes. Industries as auto-producers may sell part of the
excess electricity produced to other industries or to electric utilities. (IPCC)
Climate and Sustainability Glossary of Terms
6
Community Solar / Community Solar Garden (CSG)
Solar facilities shared by multiple community subscribers who receive
credit on their electricity bills for their share of the power produced.
Community solar allows members of a community to share the benefits of
solar power on their property without installing it on their own property.
Electricity generated by the community solar farm typically costs less than
the price from utility companies.
Complete Streets
A “complete street” is a design approach that requires streets to be
designed to support safe, convenient and comfortable travel and access
for users of all ages and abilities regardless of their mode of
transportation.
Consistency Consistency means that an inventory should be internally consistent in all
its elements over a period of years. An inventory is consistent if the same
methodologies are used for the base and all subsequent years and if
consistent data sets are used to estimate emissions or removals from
sources or sinks. (IPCC)
Continuous Emission Monitor (CEM)
A type of air emission monitoring system installed to operate continuously
inside of a smokestack or other emission source. (CARB)
Cool Roof
Roof surfaces designed to reflect radiation from the sun, reducing heat
transfer into the building or the building’s surrounding area.
Cool Pavement
Pavement surfaces designed to reflect radiation from the sun, reducing
heat transfer into the road’s surrounding area.
Criteria Air Pollutant
An air pollutant for which acceptable levels of exposure can be determined
and for which an ambient air quality standard has been set. Examples
include: ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and
PM10 and PM2.5. The term "criteria air pollutants" derives from the
requirement that the U.S. EPA must describe the characteristics and
potential health and welfare effects of these pollutants. The U.S. EPA and
CARB periodically review new scientific data and may propose revisions to
the standards as a result. (CARB)
D
Deforestation
Those practices or processes that result in the change of forested lands to
non-forest uses. This is often cited as one of the major causes of the
enhanced greenhouse effect for two reasons: 1) the burning or
decomposition of the wood releases carbon dioxide; and 2) trees that once
removed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in the process of
photosynthesis are no longer present and contributing to carbon storage. (UNFCC)
Distillate Fuel Oil
A general classification for one of the petroleum fractions produced in
conventional distillation operations. It includes diesel fuels and fuel oils.
Products known as No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 diesel fuel are used in on-
highway diesel engines, such as those in trucks and automobiles, as well as
off-highway engines, such as those in railroad locomotives and agricultural
machinery. Products known as No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 fuel oils are used
primarily for space heating and electric power generation. (EIA)
E
Eco-System Services
Contributions of ecosystems to human well-being. For example,
ecosystems produce resources used by humans such as clean air, water,
food, open space, flood control, climate mitigation, and other benefits.
Emissions
The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of
climate change) into the atmosphere. (USEPA1)
Climate and Sustainability Glossary of Terms
7
Emission Factor
A coefficient that quantifies the emissions or removals of a gas per unit
activity. Emission factors are often based on a sample of measurement
data, averaged to develop a representative rate of emission for a given
activity level under a given set of operating conditions. (IPCC)
Emission Inventory
An estimate of the amount of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere from
major mobile, stationary, area-wide, and natural source categories over a
specific period of time such as a day or a year. (CARB)
Emission Rate
The weight of a pollutant emitted per unit of time (e.g., tons / year).
(CARB)
Environmental Justice
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of
race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development,
implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and
policies
Equity
The state or quality of being just and fair in the way people are treated.
Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and
allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal
outcome. According to the World Health Organization, Equity is “the
absence of avoidable or remediable differences among groups of people,
whether those groups are defined socially, economically, demographically
or geographically” while the US Center for Disease Control defines Equity
as “when everyone has the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.”
Within the context of climate change, climate equity means both
protection from climate change and environmental hazards as well as
access to climate resilience and environmental benefits for all, regardless
of income, race, and other characteristics.
Estimation
Estimation is the assessment of the value of an unmeasurable quantity
using available data and knowledge within stated computational formulas
or mathematical models.
F
Fluorocarbons
Carbon-fluorine compounds that often contain other elements such as
hydrogen, chlorine, or bromine. Common fluorocarbons include
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs),
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and perfluorocarbons (PFCs). (UNFCC)
Flux
Either (1) Raw materials, such as limestone, dolomite, lime, and silica sand,
which are used to reduce the heat or other energy requirements of
thermal processing of minerals (such as the smelting of metals). Fluxes also may serve a dual function as a slagging agent. (2) The rate of flow of any
liquid or gas, across a given area; the amount of this crossing a given area
in a given time. (e.g., "Flux of CO2 absorbed by forests"). (IPCC)
Fossil Fuel
Geologic deposits of hydrocarbons from ancient biological origin, such as
coal, petroleum and natural gas.
Fuel Combustion
Fuel combustion is the intentional oxidation of materials within an
apparatus that is designed to provide heat or mechanical work to a
process, or for use away from the apparatus. (IPCC)
Fugitive Emissions
Fugitive emissions are unintentional leaks emitted from sealed surfaces,
such as packings and gaskets, or leaks from underground pipelines
resulting from corrosion or faulty connections.
G
Climate and Sustainability Glossary of Terms
8
Geologic Carbon Sequestration
It is the process of injecting CO2 from a source, such as coal-fired electric
generating power plant, through a well into the deep subsurface. With
proper site selection and management, geologic sequestration could play a
major role in reducing emissions of CO2. Research efforts to evaluate the
technical aspects of CO2 geologic sequestration are underway. (USEPA4)
GHG
See “Greenhouse Gas”
Global Warming
Global warming is an average increase in the temperature of the
atmosphere near the Earth's surface and in the troposphere, which can
contribute to changes in global climate patterns. Global warming can occur
from a variety of causes, both natural and human induced. In common
usage, "global warming" often refers to the warming that can occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities.
Also see Climate Change (USEPA1)
Global Warming Potential (GWP)
An index, based upon radiative properties of well-mixed greenhouse gases,
measuring the radiative forcing of a unit mass of a given well-mixed
greenhouse gas in the present-day atmosphere integrated over a chosen
time horizon, relative to that of carbon dioxide. The GWP represents the
combined effect of the differing times these gases remain in the
atmosphere and their relative effectiveness in absorbing outgoing thermal
infrared radiation. The Kyoto Protocol is based on GWPs from pulse
emissions over a 100-year time frame. (IPCC2)
GCoM Global Covenant of Mayors:
GCoM is the largest global alliance for city climate leadership, built upon
the commitment of over 10,000 cities and local governments. The
alliance’s mission is to mobilize and support climate and energy action in
communities across the world.
Green Streets
A “green street” is a stormwater management approach that
incorporates vegetation, soil, and engineered systems to slow, filter,
and cleanse stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces.
Greenhouse Effect
Trapping and build-up of heat in the atmosphere (troposphere) near the
earth's surface. Some of the heat flowing back toward space from the
earth's surface is absorbed by water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, and
several other gases in the atmosphere and then reradiated back toward
the earth's surface. If the atmospheric concentrations of these greenhouse
gases rise, the average temperature of the lower atmosphere will gradually
increase. (UNFCC)
Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Inventories:
A robust, transparent and globally-accepted framework that cities and
local governments can use to consistently identify, calculate and report on
city greenhouse gas emissions.
Greenhouse Gas
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) is any gas that absorbs infrared radiation in the
atmosphere. Greenhouse gases include, but are not limited to, water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O),
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), ozone (O3), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),
perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). (UNFCC)
Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Actions taken to reduce the number and severity of potential future
climate impacts compared to un- checked greenhouse gas emissions.
Green Infrastructure
An approach to managing precipitation by reducing and treating
stormwater at its source while delivering environmental, social, and
economic benefits. Stormwater runoff can carry trash, bacteria, and other
pollutants and is a major cause of water pollution in urban areas.
Climate and Sustainability Glossary of Terms
9
Green Roof
A green roof is a layer of vegetation planted over a waterproofing system
that is installed on top of a flat or slightly–sloped roof. Green roofs are also
known as vegetative or eco–roofs. They fall into three main categories—
extensive, intensive, and semi–intensive. Green roofs have been shown to
decrease heat island contributions of buildings and decrease stormwater
runoff while increasing overall vegetative land coverage.
Green wall
A green wall is similar to a green roof but applied to exterior wall surfaces.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
The sum of gross value added, at purchasers' prices, by all resident and
non-resident producers in the economy, plus any taxes and minus any
subsidies not included in the value of the products in a country or a
geographic region for a given period, normally one year. It is calculated without deducting for depreciation of fabricated assets or depletion and
degradation of natural resources. (IPCC3)
Groundwater
Water that occurs beneath the water table in soils and geologic formations
that are fully saturated.
H
Halocarbons
A collective term for the group of partially halogenated organic species,
including the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons
(HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), halons, methyl chloride, methyl
bromide, etc. Many of the halocarbons have large Global Warming
Potentials. The chlorine and bromine-containing halocarbons are also
involved in the depletion of the ozone layer. (IPCC2)
Hazard
The potential occurrence of a natural or human-induced physical event
that may cause loss of life, injury, or other health impacts, as well as
damage and loss to property, infrastructure, livelihoods, service provision,
and environmental resources.
Heat Island
A heat island is an urban or large-scale area characterized by temperatures
higher than those of the surrounding due to human activities. The
difference in temperature between urban and less-developed rural areas
has to do with how well the surfaces in each environment absorb and hold
heat. See also “Micro Heat Island”
Hydrocarbons
Strictly defined as molecules containing only hydrogen and carbon. The
term is often used more broadly to include any molecules in petroleum
which also contains molecules with S, N, or O An unsaturated hydrocarbon
is any hydrocarbon containing olefinic or aromatic structures. (IPCC)
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
Compounds containing only hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon atoms. They
were introduced as alternatives to ozone depleting substances in serving
many industrial, commercial, and personal needs. HFCs are emitted as by-
products of industrial processes and are also used in manufacturing. They
do not significantly deplete the stratospheric ozone layer, but they are
powerful greenhouse gases with global warming potentials ranging from
140 (HFC-152a) to 11,700 (HFC-23). (USEPA1)
I
ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability:
A membership organization for local governments to pursue reductions in
carbon pollution and improvements in advancing sustainable urban
development. ICLEI’s members and team of experts work together
through peer exchange, partnerships and capacity building to create
systemic change for urban sustainability.
Impact
An effect of climate change on the structure or function of a system: for
example, environmental consequences of climate change, such as extreme
Climate and Sustainability Glossary of Terms
10
heat waves, rising sea levels, or changes in precipitation resulting in
flooding and droughts.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The IPCC was established jointly by the United Nations Environment
Programme and the World Meteorological Organization in 1988. The
purpose of the IPCC is to assess information in the scientific and technical
literature related to all significant components of the issue of climate
change. The IPCC draws upon hundreds of the world's expert scientists as
authors and thousands as expert reviewers. Leading experts on climate
change and environmental, social, and economic sciences from some 60
nations have helped the IPCC to prepare periodic assessments of the
scientific underpinnings for understanding global climate change and its
consequences. With its capacity for reporting on climate change, its
consequences, and the viability of adaptation and mitigation measures, the
IPCC is also looked to as the official advisory body to the world's governments on the state of the science of the climate change issue. For
example, the IPCC organized the development of internationally accepted
methods for conducting national greenhouse gas emission inventories.
(USEPA1)
K
Kilowatt Hour (kWh):
A measure of electrical energy equivalent to a power consumption of
1,000 watts for one hour.
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted in 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, at the
Third Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC. It
contains legally binding commitments, in addition to those included in the
UNFCCC. Countries included in Annex B of the Protocol (most Organisation
for Economic Cooperation and Development countries and countries with
economies in transition) agreed to reduce their anthropogenic greenhouse
gas emissions (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide,
hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulphur hexafluoride) by at
least 5% below 1990 levels in the commitment period 2008 to 2012. The
Kyoto Protocol entered into force on 16 February 2005. (IPCC2)
L
Land Use and Land Use Change
Land use refers to the total of arrangements, activities and inputs
undertaken in a certain land cover type (a set of human actions). The term
land use is also used in the sense of the social and economic purposes for
which land is managed (e.g., grazing, timber extraction and conservation).
Land use change refers to a change in the use or management of land by
humans, which may lead to a change in land cover. Land cover and land
use change may have an impact on the surface albedo, evapotranspiration,
sources and sinks of greenhouse gases, or other properties of the climate
system and may thus have a radiative forcing and/or other impacts on
climate, locally or globally. (IPCC2)
Living Streets A “living street” combines the concepts of complete streets and
green streets while putting additional focus on quality of life aspects
for City residents.
LULUCF Acronym for "Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry", a category of
activities in GHG inventories.
M
Megawatt Hour (MWH):
A measure of electrical energy equivalent to a power consumption of
1,000,000 watts for one hour.
Methane (CH4)
A hydrocarbon that is a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential
most recently estimated at 25 times that of carbon dioxide (CO2). Methane
is produced through anaerobic (without oxygen) decomposition of waste
in landfills, flooded rice fields, animal digestion, decomposition of animal
wastes, production and distribution of natural gas and petroleum, coal
Climate and Sustainability Glossary of Terms
11
production, and incomplete fossil fuel combustion. The GWP is from the
IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report (AR4).
Metric Ton
The tonne (t) or metric ton (MT), sometimes referred to as a metric tonne,
is an international unit of mass. A metric ton is equal to a Megagram (Mg),
1000 kilograms, 2204.6 pounds, or 1.1023 short tons.
Micro Heat Island
Micro heat islands are smaller scale hot spots within developed areas
which experience higher temperatures than surrounding areas due to how
well the surfaces in the location absorb, reflect, and hold heat. These
occur in areas such as poorly vegetated parking lots, non-reflective roofs
and asphalt roads. Micro urban heat islands are strongly affected by micro
climate factors and localized conditions of the built environment. See also
“Heat Island”
Million Metric Tons (MMT)
Common measurement used in GHG inventories. It is equal to a Teragram
(Tg).
Mitigation:
Actions taken to limit the magnitude or rate of long-term global warming
and its related effects. Climate change mitigation generally involves
reductions in human emissions of greenhouse gases.
Mobile Sources
Sources of air pollution such as automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, off-road
vehicles, boats, and airplanes. (CARB)
Mode Share
The percentage of travelers using a particular type of transportation.
Modal share is an important component in developing sustainable
transport within a city or region because it reveals the level of utilization of
various transportation methods. The percentage reflects how well
infrastructure, policies, investments, and land-use patterns support
different types of travel.
Model
A model is a quantitatively-based abstraction of a real-world situation
which may simplify or neglect certain features to better focus on its more
important elements. (IPCC)
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
Residential solid waste and some non-hazardous commercial, institutional,
and industrial wastes. This material is generally sent to municipal landfills
for disposal. (USEPA1)
N
Natural Sources
Non-manmade emission sources, including biological and geological sources, wildfires, and windblown dust. (CARB)
Net-zero Emissions (NZE)
Refers to a community, business, institution, or building for which, on an
annual basis, all greenhouse gas emissions resulting from operations are
offset by carbon-free energy production. An NZE building or property is
one which generates or offsets all energy consumed. If a City develops a
NZE building code, this definition will have to be refined to provide
additional guidance on calculating emissions and offsets to achieve net-
zero emissions.
Nitrogen Fixation
Conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas into forms useful to plants and
other organisms by lightning, bacteria, and blue-green algae; it is part of
the nitrogen cycle. (UNFCC)
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
Gases consisting of one molecule of nitrogen and varying numbers of
oxygen molecules. Nitrogen oxides are produced in the emissions of
vehicle exhausts and from power stations. In the atmosphere, nitrogen
Climate and Sustainability Glossary of Terms
12
oxides can contribute to formation of photochemical ozone (smog), can
impair visibility, and have health consequences; they are thus considered
pollutants. (NASA)
Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
A powerful greenhouse gas with a global warming potential of 298 times
that of carbon dioxide (CO2). Major sources of nitrous oxide include soil
cultivation practices, especially the use of commercial and organic
fertilizers, manure management, fossil fuel combustion, nitric acid
production, and biomass burning. The GWP is from the IPCC's Fourth
Assessment Report (AR4).
O
Ozone (O3)
Ozone, the triatomic form of oxygen (O3), is a gaseous atmospheric
constituent. In the troposphere, it is created both naturally and by photochemical reactions involving gases resulting from human activities
(smog). Tropospheric ozone acts as a greenhouse gas. In the stratosphere,
it is created by the interaction between solar ultraviolet radiation and
molecular oxygen (O2). Stratospheric ozone plays a dominant role in the
stratospheric radiative balance. Its concentration is highest in the ozone
layer. (IPCC2)
Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)
A compound that contributes to stratospheric ozone depletion. Ozone-
depleting substances (ODS) include CFCs, HCFCs, halons, methyl bromide,
carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform. ODS are generally very stable
in the troposphere and only degrade under intense ultraviolet light in the
stratosphere. When they break down, they release chlorine or bromine
atoms, which then deplete ozone. (IPCC)
P
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
A group of human-made chemicals composed of carbon and fluorine only.
These chemicals (predominantly CF4 and C2F6) were introduced as
alternatives, along with hydrofluorocarbons, to the ozone depleting
substances. In addition, PFCs are emitted as by-products of industrial
processes and are also used in manufacturing. PFCs do not harm the
stratospheric ozone layer, but they are powerful greenhouse gases: CF4 has
a global warming potential (GWP) of 7,390 and C2F6 has a GWP of 12,200.
The GWP is from the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report (AR4).
Photosynthesis
The process by which plants take carbon dioxide from the air (or
bicarbonate in water) to build carbohydrates, releasing oxygen in the
process. There are several pathways of photosynthesis with different
responses to atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. (IPCC2)
POC
“People of Color” or “Person of Color” is a general umbrella term that
collectively refers to all non-white demographic groups.
Point Sources
Specific points of origin where pollutants are emitted into the atmosphere
such as factory smokestacks. (CARB)
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
A power purchase agreement (PPA), or electricity power agreement, is a
contract between two parties; one party generates electricity (the seller)
and the other party looks to purchase electricity (the buyer). Individual
customers and organizations may enter into PPAs with individual
developers or may join together to seek better prices
as a group. PPAs can allow longer term commitments to renewable energy
as well as a form of “direct” investing in new renewable energy generation.
Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
A program created for financing energy efficiency and renewable
improvements on private property. Private property can include
residential, commercial or industrial properties. Improvements can include
energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation upgrades to a
building.
Climate and Sustainability Glossary of Terms
13
Process Emissions
Emissions from industrial processes involving chemical transformations
other than combustion. (IPCC)
R
Radiative Forcing
A change in the balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing
infrared (i.e., thermal) radiation. Without any radiative forcing, solar
radiation coming to the Earth would continue to be approximately equal to
the infrared radiation emitted from the Earth. The addition of greenhouse
gases to the atmosphere traps an increased fraction of the infrared
radiation, reradiating it back toward the surface of the Earth and thereby
creates a warming influence. (UNFCC)
Reforestation
Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use. (IPCC2)
Regeneration
The act of renewing tree cover by establishing young trees, naturally or
artificially - note regeneration usually maintains the same forest type and
is done promptly after the previous stand or forest was removed. (CSU)
Renewable Energy
Energy resources that are naturally replenishing such as solar, wind, hydro
and geothermal energy.
Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)
A market-based instrument that represents the property rights to the
environmental, social and other non-power attributes of renewable
electricity generation. RECs are issued when one megawatt-hour (MWh) of
electricity is generated and delivered to the electricity grid from a
renewable energy resource. The single largest category of
reductions in Evanston’s emissions has been through the purchase of RECs.
Residence Time
Average time spent in a reservoir by an individual atom or molecule. Also,
this term is used to define the age of a molecule when it leaves the
reservoir. With respect to greenhouse gases, residence time usually refers
to how long a particular molecule remains in the atmosphere. (UNFCC)
Resilience
The ability to recover quickly from climate change impacts.
Reservoir
Either (1) a component or components of the climate system where a
greenhouse gas or a precursor of a greenhouse gas is stored; or (2) Water
bodies regulated for human activities (energy production, irrigation,
navigation, recreation etc.) where substantial changes in water area due to
water level regulation may occur. (IPCC)
Respiration
The process whereby living organisms convert organic matter to carbon
dioxide, releasing energy and consuming molecular oxygen. (IPCC2)
Retro-commissioning
The systematic process to improve an existing building’s performance
ensuring the building controls are running efficiently and balancing the
designed use and the actual use of the building.
Ride-share
The practice of sharing transportation in the form of carpooling or
vanpooling. It is typically an arrangement made through a ride-matching
service that connects drivers with riders.
S Scope 1:
Scope 1 includes emissions being released within the city limits resulting
from combustion of fossil fuels and from waste decomposition in the
landfill and wastewater treatment plant.
Climate and Sustainability Glossary of Terms
14
Scope 2:
Scope 2 includes emissions produced outside the city that are induced by
consumption of electrical energy within the city limits.
Scope 3:
Scope 3 includes emissions of potential policy relevance to local
government operations that can be measured and reported but do not
qualify as Scope 1 or 2. This includes, but is not limited to, outsourced
operations and employee commute.
Short Ton
Common measurement for a ton in the United States. A short ton is equal
to 2,000 lbs or 0.907 metric tons. (USEPA1)
Sink
Any process, activity or mechanism that removes a greenhouse gas, an aerosol or a precursor of a greenhouse gas or aerosol from the
atmosphere. (IPCC2)
Social Cost of Carbon
The social cost of carbon is a measure of the economic harm from climate
change impacts, expressed as the dollar value of the total damages from
emitting one ton of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Solar Radiation
Electromagnetic radiation emitted by the Sun. It is also referred to as
shortwave radiation. Solar radiation has a distinctive range of wavelengths
(spectrum) determined by the temperature of the Sun, peaking in visible
wavelengths. (IPCC2)
Source
Any process, activity or mechanism that releases a greenhouse gas, an
aerosol or a precursor of a greenhouse gas or aerosol into the atmosphere.
(IPCC2)
Stationary Sources
Non-mobile sources such as power plants, refineries, and manufacturing
facilities which emit air pollutants. (CARB)
Strategy / Strategic Goal
Specific statements of direction that expand on the sustainability
vision and GHG reduction goals and guide decisions about future
public policy, community investment, and actions.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
A compound composed of one sulfur and two oxygen molecules. Sulfur
dioxide emitted into the atmosphere through natural and anthropogenic
processes is changed in a complex series of chemical reactions in the
atmosphere to sulfate aerosols. These aerosols are believed to result in
negative radiative forcing (i.e., tending to cool the Earth's surface) and do
result in acid deposition (e.g., acid rain). (UNFCC)
Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6)
A colorless gas soluble in alcohol and ether, slightly soluble in water. A very
powerful greenhouse gas with a global warming potential most recently
estimated at 22,800 times that of carbon dioxide (CO2). SF6 is used
primarily in electrical transmission and distribution systems and as a dielectric in electronics. This GWP is from the IPCC's Fourth Assessment
Report (AR4).
T
Terrestrial Carbon Sequestration
It is the process through which carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere
is absorbed by trees, plants and crops through photosynthesis, and stored
as carbon in biomass (tree trunks, branches, foliage and roots) and soils.
The term "sinks" is also used to refer to forests, croplands, and grazing
lands, and their ability to sequester carbon. Agriculture and forestry
activities can also release CO2 to the atmosphere. Therefore, a carbon sink
occurs when carbon sequestration is greater than carbon releases over
some time period. (USEPA3)
Climate and Sustainability Glossary of Terms
15
Therm:
A unit of measure for energy that is equivalent to 100,000 British Thermal
units, or roughly the energy in 100 cubic feet of natural gas. Often used for
measuring natural gas usage for billing purposes.
Total Organic Gases (TOG)
Gaseous organic compounds, including reactive organic gases and the
relatively unreactive organic gases such as methane. (CARB)
Transparency
Transparency means that the assumptions and methodologies used for an
inventory should be clearly explained to facilitate replication and
assessment of the inventory by users of the reported information. The
transparency of inventories is fundamental to the success of the process
for the communication and consideration of information. (IPCC)
Trend
The trend of a quantity measures its change over a time period, with a
positive trend value indicating growth in the quantity, and a negative value
indicating a decrease. It is defined as the ratio of the change in the
quantity over the time period, divided by the initial value of the quantity,
and is usually expressed either as a percentage or a fraction. (IPCC)
U
Urban Tree Canopy
Describes the makeup and characteristics of trees within the urban
environment.
V
VMT Vehicle Miles Traveled:
A unit used to measure vehicle travel made by private vehicles, including
passenger vehicles, truck, vans and motorcycles. Each mile traveled is
counted as one vehicle mile regardless of the number of persons in the
vehicle.
Vision Zero:
Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries,
while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all.
https://visionzeronetwork.org/
Vulnerability
The degree to which a system is susceptible to or unable to cope with,
adverse effects of climate change. Vulnerability consists of the following:
• Exposure: The presence of people, ecosystems, or assets in places and
settings that could be adversely affected by climate change impacts
• Sensitivity: The degree to which people, ecosystems, or assets are
affected by climate change
• Adaptive capacity: The ability of assets, systems or people to adjust to
an adverse impact
W
Water Vapor
The most abundant greenhouse gas; it is the water present in the
atmosphere in gaseous form. Water vapor is an important part of the
natural greenhouse effect. While humans are not significantly increasing
its concentration, it contributes to the enhanced greenhouse effect
because the warming influence of greenhouse gases leads to a positive
water vapor feedback. In addition to its role as a natural greenhouse gas,
water vapor plays an important role in regulating the temperature of the
planet because clouds form when excess water vapor in the atmosphere
condenses to form ice and water droplets and precipitation. (UNFCC)
Weather
Atmospheric condition at any given time or place. It is measured in terms
of such things as wind, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure,
cloudiness, and precipitation. In most places, weather can change from
hour-to-hour, day-to-day, and season-to-season. Climate in a narrow sense
is usually defined as the "average weather", or more rigorously, as the statistical description in terms of the mean and variability of relevant
quantities over a period of time ranging from months to thousands or
millions of years. The classical period is 30 years, as defined by the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO). These quantities are most often
Climate and Sustainability Glossary of Terms
16
surface variables such as temperature, precipitation, and wind. Climate in
a wider sense is the state, including a statistical description, of the climate
system. A simple way of remembering the difference is that climate is what
you expect (e.g. cold winters) and 'weather' is what you get (e.g. a
blizzard). (USEPA1)
Z
Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV)
A vehicle that does not emit harmful emissions during operation.
Harmful emissions can have a negative impact on human health and
the environment. Electric (battery-powered) cars, electric trains,
hydrogen-fueled vehicles, bicycles, and carriages are considered to
produce zero emissions.
Zero Waste
The conservation of all resources by means of responsible
production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products,
packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to
land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.
The following are source and additional infor-
mation references used in this Climate Action
Plan
Click here to
return to TOC
City of Edina Climate Action Plan
References
Executive Summary
1 University of Reading, Show Your Stripes:
https://showyourstripes.info/
2 City of Edina Climate Vulnerability Assessment:
https://view.publitas.com/palebluedot/edina-climate-vulnerability-
assessment/
3 U.S. Global Change Research Program, National Climate
Assessment: https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/chapter/14/
4 REN21, Is Renewable Energy the Definition of Resilience:
https://www.ren21.net/renewable-energy-resilient/
5 Generation180, Clean Energy is a Massive Job Creator:
https://generation180.org/clean-energy-is-a-massive-job-creator/
6 United Nations Environmental Programme, Emissions Gap Report
November 2019: https://www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-
report-2019
Introduction
1 Estimating the Health-Related Costs of 10 Climate-Sensitive US
Events During 2012: https://www.nrdc.org/resources/bitter-pill-
high-health-costs-climate-change
2 Stop Climate Change, Save Lives: https://www.nrdc.org/stop-
climate-change-save-lives
3 World Health Organization Building Capacity on Climate Change
for Human Health Toolkit: https://www.who.int/activities/building-
capacity-on-climate-change-human-health/toolkit/cobenefits
4 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe:
https://unece.org/DAM/Sustainable_Development_No._2__Final__
Draft_OK_2.pdf
5 Bollen, J. et al. (2009), Co-benefits of Climate Change
Mitigation Policies: Literature Review and New Results,
https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/economics/co-benefits-of-climate-
change-mitigation-policies_224388684356
6 i Parry, I, Veungh, C. and Heine, D. (2014), How Much
Carbon Pricing is Countries’ Own Interests? The Critical
Role of Co-Benefits;
https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2014/wp14174.pdf
7 West, J. et al. (2013), Co-Benefits of Mitigating Global
Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Future Air Quality and
Human Health; https://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate2009
8 Mapping the co-benefits of climate change action to issues of
public concern in the UK: a narrative review:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-
5196(20)30167-4/fulltext
9 Union of Concerned Scientists, Top 10 Benefits of Climate Action:
https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/top-10-benefits-climate-action
10 City of Edina Ground Cover Survey and Carbon Sequestration
Study: https://view.publitas.com/palebluedot/edina-ground-cover-
survey-and-sequestration-study
11 US EPA, Benefits of Global Action;
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-
06/documents/cirareport.pdf
City of Edina Climate Action Plan
References
12 US Climate Resilience Toolkit Climate Explorer:
https://toolkit.climate.gov/tool/climate-explorer-0
13 U.S. Global Change Research Program, Climate Science Special
Report: https://science2017.globalchange.gov/
14 University of Michigan Climate Center, Cities Impacts and
Adaptation Tool (CIAT): http://graham-
maps.miserver.it.umich.edu/ciat/home.xhtml
15 US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National
Centers For Environmental Information, Climate Data Online:
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/
16 Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California
Berkeley, Estimating Economic Damage from Climate Change in the
United States, Solomon Hsiang et al:
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/356/6345/1362
17 City of Edina Community GHG Inventory, 2019
https://view.publitas.com/palebluedot/edina-2019-ghg-inventory-
4k8a6qoor97b/
18 Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional GDP Data:
https://apps.bea.gov/iTable/iTable.cfm?reqid=70&step=1&isuri=1&
acrdn=5#reqid=70&step=1&isuri=1&acrdn=5
Transportation
1 Source: Alltransit https://alltransit.cnt.org/
2 TRB Special Report 298: Driving and the Built Environment: Effects
of Compact Development on Motorized Travel, Energy Use, and CO2
Emissions Impacts of Land Use Patterns on Vehicle Miles Traveled
Evidence from the Literature
https://www.nap.edu/read/12747/chapter/5#88
3 The Influence of Urban Form on GHG Emissions in the U.S.
Household Sector (Lee, S., and Lee, B. 2014 )
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270952371_The_influen
ce_of_urban_form_on_GHG_emissions_in_the_US_household_sect
or
4 US Census data, https://datausa.io/profile/geo/edina-mn
5 EV Hub: https://www.atlasevhub.com/materials/state-ev-
registration-data/
6 Alliance for Automotive Innovation:
https://www.autosinnovate.org/resources/electric-vehicle-sales-
dashboard
7 City of Edina Community GHG Inventory, 2019
https://view.publitas.com/palebluedot/edina-2019-ghg-inventory-
4k8a6qoor97b/
8 US Census Bureau:
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/edinacityminnesota
9 City of Edina Climate Action Baseline Assessment and Strategic
Goal Recommendations report:
https://view.publitas.com/palebluedot/edina-climate-action-
baseline-assessment
Buildings and Energy
City of Edina Climate Action Plan
References
1 US Department of Energy, Residential Program Solution Center:
https://rpsc.energy.gov/energy-data-facts
2 US Census Bureau:
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/edinacityminnesota
3 State of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency “Top 6 Benefits of
High Performance Buildings”
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/highperformance-
brochure.pdf
4 US Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/zero-
energy-buildings
5 ACEEE Understanding Energy Affordability:
https://www.aceee.org/sites/default/files/energy-affordability.pdf
6 Jessel S, Sawyer S and Hernández D (2019) Energy, Poverty, and
Health in Climate Change: A Comprehensive Review of an Emerging
Literature. Front. Public Health 7:357. doi:
10.3389/fpubh.2019.00357:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00357/ful
l#h12
7 Tony G. Reames, Michael A. Reiner, M. Ben Stacey, An
incandescent truth: Disparities in energy-efficient lighting
availability and prices in an urban U.S. county:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030626191
8302769
8 Portland State University. "Shifts to renewable energy can drive
up energy poverty, study finds." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 12 July
2019.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190712151926.ht
m
9 City of Edina Community GHG Inventory, 2019
https://view.publitas.com/palebluedot/edina-2019-ghg-inventory-
4k8a6qoor97b/
10 Xcel Energy Building a Carbon-Free Future:
https://www.xcelenergy.com/staticfiles/xe/PDF/Xcel%20Energy%20
Carbon%20Report%20-%20Mar%202019.pdf
11 US Department of Energy, Renewable Energy Certificates:
https://www.epa.gov/greenpower/renewable-energy-certificates-
recs
12 Energy Sage, Renewable Energy Credits:
https://www.energysage.com/other-clean-options/renewable-
energy-credits-recs/
13 B3 Benchmarking https://mn.b3benchmarking.com/Report
14 US Census Bureau, ACS 2018 (5-Year Estimates) heating fuel
utilization data: https://www.census.gov/acs/www/data/data-
tables-and-tools/data-profiles/2018/
15 US Energy Information Administration, State of Minnesota
Natural Gas Consumption data:
https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/hist/n3010mn2A.htm
Waste Management
1 State of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Solid Waste Policy
Report 2019: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/lrw-
sw-1sy19.pdf
City of Edina Climate Action Plan
References
2 Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, WasteWise program:
https://www.mnchamber.com/sites/default/files/Waste%20Wise%
20Annual%20Report.pdf
3 North Carolina State University Extension, How Your Business Can
Cut Costs by Reducing Waste: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/how-
your-business-can-cut-costs-by-reducing-wastes
4 ReFed, A Roadmap To Reduce US Food Waste by 20 Percent:
https://www.refed.com/downloads/ReFED_Report_2016.pdf
5 Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry:
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/hac/landfill/html/ch2.html
6 Hennepin County, 2016 Minneapolis Residential Solid Waste
Composition Analysis and Recycling Program Evaluation:
https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/your-
government/projects-initiatives/documents/hennepin-county-
waste-sort-study-2016.pdf
7 US EPA, Cleaning Up Electronic Waste:
https://www.epa.gov/international-cooperation/cleaning-
electronic-waste-e-waste
8: Gustav Sandin, Greg M. Peters, Environmental impact of textile
reuse and recycling – A review, Journal of Cleaner Production:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095965261830
5985
9 City of Edina Climate Action Baseline Assessment and Strategic
Goal Recommendations report:
https://view.publitas.com/palebluedot/edina-climate-action-
baseline-assessment
Water and Wastewater
1 City of Edina Community GHG Inventory, 2019
https://view.publitas.com/palebluedot/edina-2019-ghg-inventory-
4k8a6qoor97b/
2 FloodFactor community profile:
https://floodfactor.com/city/edina-minnesota/2718188_fsid
3 City of Edina Climate Vulnerability Assessment:
https://view.publitas.com/palebluedot/edina-climate-vulnerability-
assessment/
4 Water Research Foundation, Residential End Uses Of Water
Version 2 2016:
https://www.waterrf.org/research/projects/residential-end-uses-
water-version-2
5 National Climate Assessment, Midwest Chapter:
https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/chapter/21/
6 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Precipitation-
Frequency Atlas of the U .S . Volume
https://hdsc.nws.noaa.gov/hdsc/pfds/
Local Food and Agriculture
1 Conner, David & Knudson, William & Hamm, Michael & Peterson,
H.. (2008). The Food System as an Economic Driver: Strategies and
Applications for Michigan.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/247521128_The_Food_
System_as_an_Economic_Driver_Strategies_and_Applications_for_
Michigan
City of Edina Climate Action Plan
References
2 USDA Climate Indicators for Agriculture:
https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/climate_indic
ators_for_agriculture.pdf
3 US Department of Health, Office of Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion: https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-
objectives/topic/social-determinants-health/interventions-
resources/food-insecurity
4 Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Inequities in the
Food System: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/ffed/resources-
2/food-systems-equity/
5 Lengnick, Laura. (2015). The vulnerability of the US food system to
climate change. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282499666_The_vulner
ability_of_the_US_food_system_to_climate_change
6 Cleveland Foundation, ParkWorks, Kent State University Cleveland
Urban Design Collaborative, Neighborhood Progress Inc., Cleveland-
Cuyahoga County Food Policy Coalition:
https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=https://community-
wealth.org/sites/clone.community-
wealth.org/files/downloads/report-masi-et-al.pdf
7 American Planning Association, Local Food Systems Key to
Healthy, Resilient, Equitable Communities:
https://www.planning.org/planning/2021/winter/local-food-
systems-key-to-healthy-resilient-equitable-communities/
8 USDA, Why Should You Care About Food Waste:
https://www.usda.gov/foodlossandwaste/why
9 ReFed, A Roadmap To Reduce US Food Waste by 20 Percent:
https://www.refed.com/downloads/ReFED_Report_2016.pdf
10 Crippa, M., Solazzo, E., Guizzardi, D. et al. Food systems are
responsible for a third of global anthropogenic GHG emissions:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-021-00225-9
11 North Carolina State Extension, Research & Benefits of
Community Gardens:
https://nccommunitygardens.ces.ncsu.edu/resources-
3/nccommunitygardens-research/
12 American Community Gardening Association;
https://www.communitygarden.org/garden
13 Star Tribune, Community Gardens More Than Triple in Twin
Cities: https://www.startribune.com/community-gardens-more-
than-triple-in-twin-cities/392254821/
14 USDA Food Research Atlas: https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-
products/food-access-research-atlas/go-to-the-atlas/
15 Hannah Ritchie, You want to reduce the carbon footprint of your
food? Focus on what you eat, not whether your food is local;
https://ourworldindata.org/food-choice-vs-eating-local
Greenspace and Trees
1 Francisco J. Escobedo, Timm Kroeger, John E. Wagner, Urban
forests and pollution mitigation: Analyzing ecosystem services and
disservices, Environmental Pollution, Volume 159, Issues 8–9, 2011:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S026974911
1000327
2 T Elmqvist, H Setälä, SN Handel, S van der Ploeg, J Aronson, JN
Blignaut, E Gómez-Baggethun, DJ Nowak, J Kronenberg, R de Groot,
City of Edina Climate Action Plan
References
Benefits of restoring ecosystem services in urban areas, Current
Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, Volume 14, 2015:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187734351500
0433
3 USDA Forest Service, Carbon Storage and Sequestration by Urban
Trees in the USA: https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/5521
4 US EPA, Using Trees and Vegetation to Reduce Heat Islands:
https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/using-trees-and-vegetation-
reduce-heat-islands
5 USDA Forest Service, Trees Reduce Building Energy Use in US
Cities: https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/news/release/trees-reduces-
building-energy-use
6 US EPA, Green Landscaping: Greenacres, a Source Book on Natural
Landscaping for Public Officials:
https://archive.epa.gov/greenacres/web/html/chap2.html
7 Fight Climate Change at Home: Landscaping with Native Grasses,
Lindsay Ifill: https://www.wildrootsnj.com/ecological-landscaping-
with-native-grasses-climate-change/
8 Tallgrass Ontario: Tallgrass Prairie and Carbon Sequestration:
https://tallgrassontario.org/wp-site/carbon-sequestration/
9 US EPA, Climate Change and Heat Islands:
https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/climate-change-and-heat-islands
10 City of Edina Climate Vulnerability Assessment:
https://view.publitas.com/palebluedot/edina-climate-vulnerability-
assessment/
11 Comparison of impervious surface area and normalized
difference vegetation index as indicators of surface urban heat
island effects in Landsat imagery. Fi Yuan and Marvin Bauer,
February 2007:
https://rs.umn.edu/sites/rs.umn.edu/files/Urban_heat_island--
Impervious__RSE_paper.pdf
Climate Health and Safety
1 City of Edina Climate Vulnerability Assessment:
https://view.publitas.com/palebluedot/edina-climate-vulnerability-
assessment/
2 National Climate Assessment:
https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/chapter/14/
3 Khatibi, F.S., Dedekorkut-Howes, A., Howes, M. et al. Can public
awareness, knowledge and engagement improve climate change
adaptation policies?. Discov Sustain 2, 18 (2021).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-021-00024-z
4 O’Neill, B.C., Jiang, L., KC, S. et al. The effect of education on
determinants of climate change risks. Nat Sustain 3, 520–528
(2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0512-y
5 United Nations, Education is Key to Addressing Climate Change:
https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/climate-
solutions/education-key-addressing-climate-change
6 Adaptive Capacity for Climate Change in Canadian Rural
Communities, Ellen Wall & Katia Marzall:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/135498306007855
06
City of Edina Climate Action Plan
References
7 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Precipitation-
Frequency Atlas of the U .S . Volume
https://hdsc.nws.noaa.gov/hdsc/pfds/
8 Hennepin County Climate Action Plan:
https://www.hennepin.us/climate-action/-/media/climate-
action/hennepin-county-climate-action-plan-final.pdf
Climate Economy
1 Zip Recruiter: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Green-
Energy-Salary
2 CMBC, Green Jobs in Biden’s Infrastructure Bill: What They Could
Pay and How to be Eligible:
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/12/experts-on-green-jobs-in-
bidens-climate-infrastructure-bill.html
3 US Census, On The Map: https://onthemap.ces.census.gov/
4 America’s New Climate Economy: A Comprehensive Guide To The
Economic Benefits Of Climate Policy In The United States:
https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/americas-new-climate-
economy.pdf
5 New Climate Economy, Unlocking The Inclusive Growth Story of
The 21st Century: Accelerating Climate Action in Urgent Times:
https://newclimateeconomy.report/2018/wp-
content/uploads/sites/6/2018/09/NCE_2018_FULL-REPORT.pdf
6 United Nations, Financing Climate:
https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/raising-ambition/climate-
finance
7 World Resources Institute, 10 Charts Show the Economic Benefits
of US Climate Action: https://www.wri.org/insights/10-charts-show-
economic-benefits-us-climate-action
8 Brookings Institute, Advancing Inclusion Through Clean Energy
Jobs: https://www.brookings.edu/research/advancing-inclusion-
through-clean-energy-jobs/
9 The Economist, What is The Economic Cost of Covid-19?:
https://www.economist.com/finance-and-
economics/2021/01/09/what-is-the-economic-cost-of-covid-19
10 Swiss Re, World Economy Set to Lose up to 18% GDP From
Climate Change if no Action Taken, Reveals Swiss Ri Institute’s
Stress-Test Analysis https://www.swissre.com/media/news-
releases/nr-20210422-economics-of-climate-change-risks.html
11 CDP, Major Risk Or Rosy Opportunity; Are Companies Ready For
Climate Change?: https://6fefcbb86e61af1b2fc4-
c70d8ead6ced550b4d987d7c03fcdd1d.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/cms/rep
orts/documents/000/004/588/original/CDP_Climate_Change_repor
t_2019.pdf?1562321876
12 US Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, Small
Business GDP 1998-2014:
https://advocacy.sba.gov/2018/12/19/advocacy-releases-small-
business-gdp-1998-2014/
13 Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Hunting For Money: US
Cities Need A System for Financing Climate Resilience and
Adaptation: https://www.frbsf.org/community-
development/publications/community-development-investment-
review/2019/october/hunting-for-money-u-s-cities-need-a-system-
for-financing-climate-resilience-and-adaptation/
City of Edina Climate Action Plan
References
14 Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, Two Ways to Help Cities
Finance Climate Action: https://www.c2es.org/2016/07/two-ways-
to-help-cities-finance-climate-action/
15 City of Edina Community GHG Inventory, 2019
https://view.publitas.com/palebluedot/edina-2019-ghg-inventory-
4k8a6qoor97b/
16 Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional GDP Data:
https://apps.bea.gov/iTable/iTable.cfm?reqid=70&step=1&isuri=1&
acrdn=5#reqid=70&step=1&isuri=1&acrdn=5
17 Martinich, J., Crimmins, A. Climate damages and adaptation
potential across diverse sectors of the United States:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-019-0444-6
18 Routers, The global race to put a credible price on carbon:
https://www.reutersevents.com/sustainability/global-race-put-
credible-price-carbon
19 US EPA, Quantifying the Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy: A Guide for State and Local Governments:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2018-
07/documents/mbg_1_multiplebenefits.pdf
20 Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle, Relative Costs of Driving
Electric and Gasoline Vehicles in the Individual U.S. States:
http://websites.umich.edu/~umtriswt/PDF/SWT-2018-
1_Abstract_English.pdf
21 World Resources Institute, Putting People at the Center of
Climate Action: https://www.wri.org/insights/putting-people-
center-climate-action
22 Conner, David & Knudson, William & Hamm, Michael & Peterson,
H.. (2008). The Food System as an Economic Driver: Strategies and
Applications for Michigan.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/247521128_The_Food_
System_as_an_Economic_Driver_Strategies_and_Applications_for_
Michigan
23 OECD Report for the G7 Environment Ministers, Employment
Implications of Green Growth: Linking jobs, growth, and green
policies; https://www.oecd.org/environment/Employment-
Implications-of-Green-Growth-OECD-Report-G7-Environment-
Ministers.pdf
We are deeply grateful for the community collabo-
ration and input that went into this plan. Below are
some of the main contributors that made Edina’s
first Climate Action Plan possible:
Mindy Ahler Cool Planet
Kate Ebert Bloomington Health Department
Sean Ewen Wooden Hill Brewing
Sarah Irwin Edina Community Lutheran /EcoFaith group
Janet Kitui Transportation Commission
Hilda Martinez Energy and Environment Commission, Chair
Ana Martinez Energy and Environment Commission
Jack Miller Resident
Lou Miranda Edina Planning Commission
Connie Mitchell Resident
Rick Murphy Murphy Tire and Auto
Bill Sierks Resident
Paul Thompson Cool Planet
Gael Zembal 9 Mile Creek Watershed District
Ross Bintner Engineering Services Manager
Jefh Brown Community Health Inspector
Grace Hancock City of Edina, Sustainability Coordinator
MJ Lamon Community Engagement Coordinator
Heidi Lee City of Edina, Race and Equity Coordinator
Chad Millner City of Edina, Engineering Director
Bill Neuendorf Economic Development Manager
Luther Overholt City of Edina, Forester
Brian Stevens Building Inspector
Tom Swenson Assistant Director - Parks and Natural Resources
Solvei Wilmot Environmental Health Specialist II/Recycling Coordinator
Climate Action Planning Team—Community Volunteers
Climate Action Planning Team—City of Edina Staff
Grace Hancock City of Edina, Sustainability Coordinator
City of Edina Project Lead
James Hovland Mayor
Ron Anderson Council Member
Carolyn Jackson Council Member
James Pierce Council Member
Kevin Staunton Council Member
City of Edina City Council
Ted Redmond paleBLUEdot—Team Lead
Colleen Redmond paleBLUEdot—Youth Engagement
Huda Ahmed Transformational Solutions—Community Engagement
Vince Giorgi paleBLUEdot—Communications Lead
Consultant Team
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Prepared by:
2515 White Bear Ave, A8
Suite 177
Maplewood, MN 55109
Contact:
Ted Redmond
tredmond@paleBLUEdot.llc
https://palebluedot.llc/