The committee received an update from Deputy Commissioner Patrick Handlon on the Climate Legacy Initiative’s progress. Handlon reported that 2024 was the hottest year globally and outlined the city’s progress in emissions reduction, mentioning that over 13,000 people had been directly served through various environmental programs. This resulted in an avoidance of over 8,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. He highlighted that investments had leveraged nearly $50 million, with a focus on ensuring that at least 40% of funding went to environmental justice communities, ultimately exceeding that target at 61%.

A speaker emphasized the remarkable progress made, stating that in 2024, the city achieved as much on climate change as it did the previous decade. Plans for 2025 include continuing contracts with neighborhood organizations and setting a goal of reaching 30,000 people.

The committee also discussed various outreach methods employed to enhance public engagement, including radio, social media, and community publications, resulting in nearly a million total ad views. The Green Cost Share program was mentioned as an effective digital strategy focusing on specific zones within the city, with a commitment to raising awareness about available resources. The development of green careers was highlighted as an area of growth, with a focus on engaging individuals in renewable energy and green infrastructure sectors. The number of training programs increased significantly, from a goal of training 200 people to actually training 488, with a notable 69% of participants identifying as BIPOC. These initiatives also addressed the importance of culturally specific training programs, particularly for Somali and Hispanic communities.

In addition to the Climate Legacy Initiative, the committee received an update on the Transportation Action Plan. Kathleen M. Am Mayell reported on new data methodology related to mode split in transportation, linking actual transit ridership to transit trips in Minneapolis instead of relying on sampling. Charts comparing original and new data highlighted a shift in transit ridership percentages. Council members discussed the implications of these changes on the city’s 2030 transportation goals, reaffirming commitment to the mode shift goal of having three out of every five trips made by walking, biking, or using transit. Councilmember Cashman inquired about current progress, emphasizing the city’s efforts to increase investments in infrastructure to facilitate mode shifts.

The meeting also featured a discussion on biochar carbon sequestration, a process involving the conversion of wood waste into soil amendments to improve urban soil resilience. Construction of the production site is anticipated to be completed by summer 2025, with the aim of producing 3,000 tons of biochar annually. Additionally, the Home Grown Minneapolis initiative was reviewed, focusing on urban agriculture and food systems, emphasizing the integration of carbon accounting in agricultural practices. The funding allocation for environmental justice communities was highlighted, with a commitment to ensuring that 100% of the funds are directed to these areas.

The committee addressed the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, with updates on the EV Spot Network, which includes 32 charging hubs and numerous ports across the city. The outcomes were reported as highly successful, with significant savings in transportation costs attributed to this initiative. Lastly, the Green Cost Share program was identified as a financial resource for community members seeking to improve energy efficiency. Various partnerships were formed to facilitate these initiatives.

The committee acknowledged setbacks in the Climate Legacy Initiative due to funding shortages and the departure of a partner organization but noted that momentum had been regained. The hiring of a new Director of Climate Equity Action, Megan Hoy, was mentioned as a strategic move towards a city-wide integrated approach. Additionally, the committee discussed the role of Payton Johnson, tasked with developing a dashboard framework to track progress and provide continuous updates to the council.