Reducing our emissions and adapting to a changing climate

Climate Action Work Plan Update

Two people installing solar panels on a flat roof.

The Met Council is committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and making our services and facilities resilient to the impacts of climate change.

We treat about 250 million gallons of wastewater every day, which consumes a lot of energy. As the state’s largest provider of transit services, we own one of the largest vehicle fleets in Minnesota. We operate facilities across the seven-county Twin Cities region.

Our five-year, internally focused Climate Action Work Plan builds on our strong track record of climate change planning and emissions mitigation. The plan unifies our efforts across Met Council divisions, commits our organization to new climate-related initiatives, incorporates environmental justice principles, and aligns with Minnesota’s Climate Action Framework.

Icon of a generic bar chart with blue lines and black lines.Tracking our progress

During the second year (2024) of our five-year plan, we made strong progress on our commitments related to regional climate policy leadership and workforce assessment. Of the 73 actions identified in the Climate Action Work Plan overall:

  • 41 are either complete or on track
  • 24 are on hold, largely due to staffing or funding gaps
  • 8 have a start date of 2025 or later

Highlights from 2024

Imagine 2050. We integrated climate mitigation and adaptation strategies into each policy area (housing, land use, parks, transportation, water resources) of the regional development guide.  

 

Reducing emissions from our operations ​

Reducing energy use in Metro Transit facilities. Metro Transit is updating its Building Automation Systems (BAS) to create “smarter” buildings and improve energy efficiency. 21 Metro Transit facilities, including all service garages and major support facilities, use BAS controls.

Low Dissolved Oxygen Demonstration Project. Environmental Services innovated at Eagles Point Water Resource Recovery Facility to reduce the amount of air being pumped into the aeration system and maintain effective wastewater treatment. They found that nutrients like ammonia and phosphorus in wastewater can be removed while reducing energy aeration costs by 40%. The project was recognized with an award from the Central States Water Environment Association.

Energy-efficient housing. Metro HRA established a partnership with the Center for Energy and the Environment (CEE) to make our suburban Family Affordable Housing partnership homes more energy efficient. CEE completed nine home energy audits and installed smart thermostats, efficient showerheads, LED bulbs, and other improvements.

Climate adaptation

Climate minimum requirements for local comprehensive plans: We engaged with local government planners to help create pathways to meet the new minimum requirements for local climate planning. All communities must identify strategies to address vulnerabilities to extreme heat and localized flooding.

Resilient and restorative landscapes: Environmental Services has transitioned to sustainable landscapes at 11 sites, using native plantings, bee lawns, wetland enhancements, rain gardens, and other improvements. Metro Transit is reactivating efforts to install and maintain restorative landscapes.

Reducing operational risks: We began to develop a climate risk assessment for the Met Council. Business continuity and asset management teams from across the divisions are working together.

Environmental justice

Environmental Justice Framework: Imagine 2050’s community engagement affirmed the critical importance of centering environmental justice for overburdened communities. The Climate Action Work Plan and Imagine 2050 Environmental Justice teams are relaunching as one team to implement the environmental justice components of both plans.

Workforce development

Training and staffing up to meet our commitments: Our first cohort of 40 staff are completing Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Training. Our Climate-Focused Workforce Team conducted a workforce survey and nine peer agency interviews to help assess gaps in our climate workforce and reporting structure and develop recommendations for change.

Tracking emissions

Treating 250 millions of gallons of wastewater each day and providing nearly 52 million transit rides each year takes a lot of energy.

In 2024, the Met Council emitted an estimated 375,000 metric tons of CO2e. That’s about the equivalent of the electricity used by 51,000 homes and the emissions from 88,000 gas-fueled cars for one year.

The Met Council’s emissions increased slightly in 2024 from the previous year due to increased wastewater flows and expanded transit service. Several actions in the climate plan – including establishing energy performance targets, continuing to optimize wastewater treatment processes, and evaluating new renewable energy opportunities – all aim to reduce purchased energy emissions. Metro Transit continues to implement its zero-emissions bus transition plan and improve its miles traveled per CO2e emitted, among other fuel-efficiency actions.