Midwest

Minnesota

In 2023, Minnesota passed sweeping climate and environmental justice legislation, including mandatory emissions reductions targets, but the state has only decreased emissions 9% from 2005-2021 — compared to their target of 50% below 2005 levels by 2030. In the same year, they also passed a clean energy standard of 100% clean electricity by 2040, and renewable electricity generation has almost doubled over the last decade, largely from wind. While the state has no fossil fuel reserves or production, it plays an essential role in the interstate transport of coal, petroleum, and natural gas.

GHG Reduction Targets

All targets relative to 2005 levels

2025

30%

2030

50%

2050

Net-zero

Governor

Tim Walz (Democrat)

House Party

Democratic Majority

Senate Party

Democratic Majority

Legislative session

2/12/24 - 5/20/24

US Climate Alliance Status

Member

Key Offices & Links

34

Policies Enacted or In Progress

across 7 policy areas

See all

28

Policy Opportunities

across 6 policy areas

See all

Midwest

12 states

This map shows the occurrence of climate policies passed at the state-level. Higher numbers represent more climate policies enacted.

Compare with other states

Progress by Policy Area

Enacted
In-progress
Partially Enacted
Not Enacted

Glossary of Terms

Status	Policy	Policy Area	Policy Category	YR Enacted
Enacted	Climate Action Plans Empty column Minnesota's Climate Action Framework Establishing Policies Executive Order 19-37 (2019) Minnesota's Climate Action Framework (2022)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2022
Enacted	Climate Advisory Bodies Empty column Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change Establishing Policies Executive Order 19-37 (2019) Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2019
Enacted	Climate Bureaucracy Empty column Climate Change Subcabinet Establishing Policies Executive Order 19-37 (2019) Climate Change Subcabinet	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2019
Enacted	Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets Empty column 30% by 2025 \| 50% by 2030 \| net-zero by 2050 Relative to 2005 levels Establishing Policies SF 145 (2007) HF 2310 (2023)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2023
Enacted	State Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Empty column The 2005-2020 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory was published in January 2023. Establishing Policies SF 145 (2007) 2005-2020 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory (2023)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2023
Enacted	Cumulative Impact Assessment Empty column Requires the MPCA to complete a cumulative impact analysis of EJ areas when issuing a permit. Establishing Policies HF 2310 (2023)	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity	2023
Enacted	Environmental Justice Advisory Bodies Empty column Environmental Justice Advisory Group Establishing Policies Environmental Justice Advisory Group	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity
Enacted	Environmental Justice Bureaucracy Empty column MPCA – Environmental Justice Coordinator Establishing Policies MPCA – Environmental Justice Coordinator	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity
Enacted	Environmental Justice Community Definitions Empty column "Environmental justice areas" are census tracts where at least 40% of the population is nonwhite, 40% have limited English proficiency, 35% of households have an income of less than 200% of the federal poverty level, or those located within "Indian Country". "Disadvantaged communities" are communities defined as disadvantaged by the federal agency disbursing federal funds, or as "environmental justice areas" as defined by the state. Establishing Policies HF 7 (2023) HF 4942 (2024)	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity	2023
Not Enacted	Environmental Justice Community Investment Requirements Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) community investment requirements help ensure communities most impacted by environmental burdens are benefitting equitably from public programs by requiring a certain percentage of funds and/or benefits from other policies are allocated to EJ communities.	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity
Enacted	Environmental Justice Mapping Tools Empty column Understanding Environmental Justice in Minnesota Establishing Policies Understanding Environmental Justice in Minnesota (2023)	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity	2023
Enacted	Just Transition Advisory Bodies Empty column Energy Transition Advisory Committee Establishing Policies HF 6 (2021) Energy Transition Advisory Committee	Climate Governance and Equity	Just Transition	2021
Enacted	Just Transition Funds Empty column The Energy Transition Grant program provides funds for research, planning, and implementation activities designed to assist the state's "energy transition communities" and workers following coal, natural gas, and nuclear plant closures. Establishing Policies HF 6 (2021) SF 3035 (2023)	Climate Governance and Equity	Just Transition	2023
Enacted	Just Transition Offices and Staff Empty column Energy Transition Office within the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Establishing Policies HF 6 (2021) Energy Transition Office	Climate Governance and Equity	Just Transition	2021
Enacted	Just Transition Plans Empty column Energy Transition Plan Establishing Policies HF 6 (2021) Energy Transition Plan (2022) SF 3035 (2023)	Climate Governance and Equity	Just Transition	2022

Minnesota

Key Offices & Links

34

28

Midwest

Progress by Policy Area

Climate Governance and Equity

Cross-Sector

Electricity

Buildings and Efficiency

Transportation

Industry, Materials, and Waste Management

Natural and Working Lands

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in Minnesota