‘Rich exchange’ will lead to development of planning requirements In December, Met Council staff hosted a summit with 100 local government planners and sustainability staff to share ideas about how to implement the new state planning requirements for climate mitigation and adaptation. “As we are developing policy and the planning requirements to fulfill the state law, we invited local government into the process – to understand their challenges, hear where they’ve already been successful, and learn what assistance they need from us to support their work,” said Eric Wojchik, planning analyst for the Met Council. “Local governments have to deal with the impacts of localized flooding, as well as extreme heat and other public health threats in their communities,” Wojchik said. “They also can best determine how to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Our goal is to create requirements and provide technical assistance that leads to their success.” Part of the day was devoted to giving local staff a chance to share their successes and challenges with each other, which was a rich exchange, Wojchik said. They also provided feedback to Met Council staff on a proposed framework for minimum planning requirements for the upcoming development of local comprehensive plans. The afternoon featured in-depth breakout sessions on the topics of reducing emissions, climate adaptation, and natural systems planning. Met Council staff will organize and analyze what they heard from all the sessions and report back to local governments by early February. One common theme was the request that the minimum planning requirements be flexible based on community type and staff capacity. Development of the planning requirements will continue in 2025. “Your work counts,” climate expert encourages planners Keynote speaker for the Climate Planning Summit was Dr. Teddie Potter, a practicing nurse, professor, and Director of the Center for Planetary Health and Environmental Justice in the University of Minnesota’s School of Nursing. Public health threats due to climate change and environmental destruction are increasing, including increased allergies and heat-related deaths, she noted. The growing extinctions of species worldwide, especially pollinator species, will have increasing impacts on our food supply. Her primary message to local planners and sustainability staff was that “your work counts...know that you are contributing to the greater good.” Climate action at the Met Council Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Posted In: Council News