Minneapolis, Minnesota

City Overview

Minneapolis is Minnesota’s most populous city, with a population of about 430,000 people. Its metropolitan area, commonly referred to as the Twin Cities, has a population of 3.7 million. Minneapolis has a long history of industrial innovation that powered the U.S. economy, and today hosts 17 Fortune 500 company headquarters, the most out of any Midwest region.  

Minneapolis has been a leader on climate action in the Midwest. The City declared a climate emergency in 2021, and adopted its Climate Equity Plan in 2023. The plan is centered on the equity principles of wealth, health, and climate and prioritizes communities living in green zones – neighborhoods that face cumulative impacts of environmental, social, political, and economic vulnerability. The Climate Equity Plan also establishes the Climate Legacy Initiative, which allocates $10 million in annual funding for local climate initiatives.                      

Minneapolis Programs, Policies, and Strategies

BEI began working with Minneapolis in 2024 through Community Climate Shift, a groundbreaking initiative to drive creation and implementation of community-led policy that will reduce energy and carbon from buildings and address resilience, grid impacts, occupant health, and job creation. This work builds on a track record of climate progress. Minneapolis enacted an energy benchmarking policy in 2013, creating a solid foundation for future building policies. In 2014, Minneapolis secured a 10-year franchise agreement with CenterPoint and Xcel utilities to establish the Clean Energy Partnership. A new franchise agreement is underway for 2025, which now includes utility-established greenhouse gas reduction goals, a first for both utility companies. Minneapolis’s Climate Legacy Initiative is also funding innovative programs such as the Green Cost Share program, which will help ensure all residents can access and afford the benefits of clean energy.

Minneapolis stands as a leading example of how cities can combine ambitious climate action with social equity goals through its innovative Climate Equity Plan, comprehensive local policies, and dedicated local funding. BEI looks forward to working with Minneapolis City leadership to create replicable models for other Midwestern communities and beyond.