VII.2. Review of Draft Climate Action and Resiliency Plan
CITY OF HOPKINS
Memorandum
To: Planning and Zoning Commission
Ryan Krzos, City Planner
From: Mikala Larson, Sustainability Specialist
Date: 6/24/2025
Subject: Review of draft climate action and resilience plan
_____________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE
Review the draft climate action and resilience plan.
INFORMATION
Background
The City of Hopkins received a grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
(MPCA) in the amount of $49,975 to complete a climate action and resilience plan.
Abby Finis from Local Climate Solutions is the consultant for the Plan.
The climate action and resilience plan will be a short-range document guiding work to
mitigate greenhouse gas emissions while increasing resilience in the Hopkins
community. The Plan will outline action to take over the next five years, as that
timeframe is the most critical deadline to rapidly reduce emissions. A summary of
existing conditions and projected climate hazards, and their impact on our community’s
most vulnerable residents, natural systems, and built infrastructure, will be included in
the Plan. The Plan is being developed through a community engagement process that
builds momentum and enthusiasm for action. Staff held engagement opportunities with
community members to determine long-term goals and near-term targets. The main
deliverable will be a five year work plan that will include concrete, implementable
strategies and actions to guide Hopkins’ efforts going forward.
Goals
The draft climate action and resilience plan establishes targets for greenhouse gas
emission reduction, in line with state and international targets:
1. Reduce emissions 50% by 2030 (from 2019 levels)
2. Achieve carbon neutrality by 2050
And targets for increasing community resilience:
1. Strengthen infrastructure to withstand the stresses and shocks of climate
hazards
2. Improve emergency preparedness for all community members
3. Enhance environmental and energy resilience
4. Foster community connections and well-being
Plan Development
Engineering
Plan development included creating the existing conditions report, assessing climate
hazards, seeking community and staff input, incorporating community storytellers, and
researching tools and resources. Community engagement spanned four months, and
included in-person, virtual, and survey opportunities for engagement. Nearly 300 people
were engaged. Two community-wide in-person sessions were held, one was a kick-off
event in January at The Depot, and the second was an event held on Earth Day in April
at the Pavilion. City-hosted events were intentionally held in environmental justice areas
or areas of urban heat island concern in the community. One virtual engagement
session was held over Teams, which enabled community members to participate
without attending in-person. Six focus group sessions were held with key community
groups:
1. Hopkins Business and Civic Association
2. Hopkins Apartment Managers’ Association
3. Youth Advisory Board
4. Activity Center Lunch and Learn
5. Dow Towers residents and staff
6. City of Hopkins Division Managers
These focus groups allowed for direct feedback from community partners, including
property managers, business owners, youth, seniors, and low-income residents. The
majority of participants in these focus groups reside in or own multifamily buildings.
The City of Hopkins has several adopted plans and policies, including the
Comprehensive Plan, Energy Action Plan, Parks System Master Plan, and Heat
Vulnerability Study, that served as a foundation for the draft climate action and
resilience plan. The climate action and resilience plan offers an opportunity to wrap
broad greenhouse gas reduction targets and resilience efforts into one guiding
document, while incorporating direction from existing plans, and community feedback
on short-term and long-term visions for climate action.
Storytelling
With respect to community members’ lived experience and the powerful impact of
personal stories, staff partnered with Jothsna Harris from Change Narrative to coach
three Hopkins community members in developing and sharing their climate story. Julie
Marie Muskat, Jane Hufford Downes, and Brooke Roper shared their time and
experiences to participate as storytellers in this project. The storytelling process
included one-on-one coaching sessions between Jothsna and each storyteller, leading
to three personal and powerful climate stories. The storytellers shared their crafted
stories live during the Community Climate Event held on Earth Day. The stories are the
storytellers’ to share, and the City has been given permission to share the stories in the
climate action and resilience plan and on the City’s webpage.
Workplan
To accomplish the goals, a five year workplan will be part of the Plan. The workplan
helps break the goals into smaller targets and actions. Through the community
engagement process, five vision elements were identified as the most important
elements to the community. These are:
1. Clean Air
2. Green City
3. Active & Connected Lifestyles
4. Zero Waste & Sustainable Living
5. Resilience to Hazards
The workplan is built around these five elements, with each category having targets and
strategies to achieve it. The workplan identifies opportunities for mitigating emissions
and increasing resilience in municipal services and in the community. A downloadable
worksheet is included in the draft Plan for community members to develop their own
climate action plan and craft their own climate story.
Next Steps
Staff is seeking Planning and Zoning Commissioner review and dialogue of the draft
climate action and resilience plan.
FUTURE ACTION
City Council adoption.
Climate Action &
Resilience Plan
City of Hopkins
June 2025
Acknowledgments
City Council
+Patrick Hanlon - Mayor
+Heidi Garrido - City Council Member
+Ben Goodlund - City Council Member
+Brian Hunke - City Council Member
+Aaron Kuznia - City Council Member
City Manager and Director Team
+Mike Mornson, City Manager
+Casey Casella, Assistant City Manager
+Dale Specken, Fire Chief
+Nick Bishop, Finance Director
+Kelly O’Dea, Recreation Director
+Kersten Elverum, Planning and
Development Director
+Brent Johnson, Police Chief
+Dustin Pavek, Public Works Director
City Staff
+Mikala Larson, Sustainability Specialist
+Ryan Krzos, City Planner
+Kurt Howard, Planner
+Revee Needham, Community
Development Manager
+Laila Imihy, Special Projects and
Initiatives Manager
+Eric Klingbeil, City Engineer
+Kelsey Baumann, Communications Manager
+Emma Olson, Engineering Seasonal
Planning & Zoning Commission
Focus Groups
+Activity Center Lunch and Learn
+City of Hopkins Division Managers
+Dow Towers
+Hopkins Apartment Managers Association
+Hopkins Business and Civic Association
+Youth Advisory Board
Storytellers
+Brooke Roper: Brooke’s leadership is rooted
in a deep sense of purpose and love for her
community, Brooke currently serves on the
Hopkins School Board and bridges people and
policy with heart and vision. As a proud mother
of two amazing kids, her journey has taken
her through classrooms, boardrooms and
neighborhoods - always guided by intention,
always working toward the greater good.
+Jane Downes: Jane is originally from Ohio
and has lived in Hopkins with her husband,
David, for six years. She is a semi-retired writer
and poet, an avid bird watcher, and the
grandmother of five red-haired grandchildren.
+Julie Marie Muskat: Juile Marie has lived in
Hopkins, Minnesota with her husband, Zach,
since moving to the state in 2013. She is a
freelance dancer, choreographer, teacher, and
stage manager. Julie Marie is also the founder
of Deeper Water Arts & Mind/Body Center,
an independent consulting practice that uses
movement-based approaches to support
health, wellness, and resilience for individuals
and communities.
Consultant Team
+Abby Finis, Local Climate Solutions
+Jothsna Harris, Change Narrative
Graphics
+Jess Vetrano
This plan was made possible by grant funding from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Thank you to each individual who contributed to this plan. Your efforts are appreciated and input
invaluable.
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Letter from the Mayor
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Contents
acknowledgments ..............................ii
letter from the mayor ..........................iii
Introduction � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 6
executive summary .............................8
Community Profile ............................10
Existing Conditions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �10
Climate Hazards ................................12
Vulnerability assessment .......................13
Community-wide GHG inventory ...............17
Climate Policies, Programs, Plans with Climate
Reference ......................................18
Engagement Results � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �19
engagement Process ..........................19
Themes ........................................20
survey Results ..................................21
storytelling ....................................21
Vision & Goals � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 22
our Climate Vision .............................22
Goals ...........................................24
implementation ................................25
Five Year Work Plan � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 25
Clean air .......................................26
Green City ......................................29
active & Connected lifestyles ..................31
Zero Waste & sustainable living ................33
Resilience To Hazards ..........................36
Create Your Own Plan! � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 38
DRAFT
6 ClimaTe aCTion & ResilienCe Plan
Introduction1
Climate change is a global problem that requires transformative action in how we use energy
and land — across all levels of government, commerce, and lifestyles. in Hopkins, the effects of
climate change are already visible: extreme heat, intense storms, and flooding have become
more frequent due to rising global temperatures. many residents—due to age, physical ability,
income, and other factors—are more likely to be disproportionately impacted by climate hazards
and disruptions. fundamental to the success of this Plan, we need to recognize that those most
disadvantaged have the most to gain from an improved quality of life. The actions included
in this Plan will be implemented to maximize impact, improve quality of life, and to lessen the
burden of cost, pollution, and hazards on the community’s most vulnerable.
The City of Hopkins has taken many actions to
improve sustainability and enhance community
resilience. Until now, the City has not had a
plan dedicated to comprehensively addressing
sustainability, resilience, or climate change more
broadly. The Climate Action and Resilience Plan
(Plan) is the first comprehensive strategy to
accelerate emissions reductions while adapting
to climate change. Shaped by public input, this
Plan focuses on what the community can do
in the next five years to work toward its climate
goals of reducing emissions and adapting to
climate change.
Community members were engaged throughout
the development of this Plan to shape the vision
and help prioritize actions. Through a partnership
with Change Narrative, three community
members— Brooke Roper, Jane Hufford Downes,
and Julie Marie Muskat —developed and shared
personal stories of how climate change affects
their daily lives. Excerpts from each story are
featured throughout this Plan and complete
stories can be found on the City’s sustainability
webpage. These stories help to ground the
issues in our lived experiences and find solutions
through common values.
The challenge of addressing climate change
can be daunting. By taking productive action
toward reducing emissions and adapting to
climate hazards, we can lessen the burden of
the challenge and work toward a better future.
Everyone in Hopkins has an opportunity to
contribute to the success of this Plan. Together,
we can achieve our climate goals and improve
the overall quality of life for everyone in our
community.
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“ I would obsessively
watch the Weather
Channel, driven by a need
to understand everything I
could about thunderstorms,
tornadoes, and severe
weather. over time, my
fear gradually shifted into
fascination, and the more
I learned, the less afraid I
became. When I reflect on
why I care about climate
change, I often think back
to those early memories—
how I transformed my fear
into a catalyst for action.
Brooke Roper, Hopkins Resident
“ I don’t expect one dance
piece to change the world,
but I believe art has a role. I
ask myself: How do I seek and
create beauty as a necessity
for survival in this world?
Julie Marie Muskat, Hopkins Resident
“ It seems so simple to dream of
a world where everyone has access
to nature, clean air, and clean
water. When I was young, I saw
simple solutions; thinking we only
needed to become aware of the
problem, to be motivated to fix it.
Jane Hufford Downes, Hopkins Resident
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Executive Summary
in the summer of 2024, the City of Hopkins
was awarded a grant from the minnesota
Pollution Control agency (mPCa) to
develop the Climate action and Resilience
Plan. The project began in the fall with a
comprehensive review of existing conditions,
followed by the launch of a community
engagement process in early 2025.
The resulting Plan outlines a long-term goal to
achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and strengthen
resilience for all residents. This inaugural
Plan emphasizes priority actions that can be
implemented in the next five years. The work
plan reflects a combination of actions where the
City has the greatest authority and can be most
impactful, as well as where the City can support
the community in contributing to the climate
goals through education and incentives. These
actions reflect the values and priorities expressed
by community members and staff through the
engagement process.
Existing Conditions
The existing Conditions Report was completed
to provide an analysis of the City’s current actions
as they relate to climate change. This includes
both how the activities within the City contribute
to climate change and how climate change
affects the City. The report details a profile of the
community’s characteristics, a review of projected
climate hazards and vulnerabilities, an inventory
of current and past greenhouse gas emissions,
and an assessment of on-going policies, plans,
and programs that contribute to mitigating and
adapting to climate change.
Engagement
The City of Hopkins conducted a comprehensive
public engagement process to solicit input on
climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.
outreach efforts included a kick-off workshop
with community members, several focus group
discussions, a community-wide webinar, and an
online survey. Residents, businesses, City staff, and
other stakeholders shared their perspectives on
climate solutions and informed the prioritization
of strategies and actions through these events.
at the final engagement event, three residents
shared their climate stories to help provide
further inspiration for the implementation of this
plan. excerpts from these stories are embedded
throughout this Plan.
Photos From Engagement Events
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Vision
The vision statement for a climate resilient Hopkins
was developed to reflect themes that emerged from
the community input that was gathered during the
engagement process. The overarching vision states:
Community members emphasized the importance
of clean energy, green spaces, multiple mobility
options, zero waste, and protection from climate
hazards. These themes make up the five elements
that support the vision and are used to guide the
organization of the five-year work plan.
Goals
The intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(iPCC) is the world’s foremost scientific body that
conducts research on climate change. in 2018, the
organization issued a special report ahead of the
Climate Change Conference of Parties (CoP21)
in Paris that concluded that global emissions
must decline by 45% (relative to 2010 levels) by
2030 and reach net zero by mid-century, to limit
warming to 2°C (3.6° f) above pre-industrial levels.
The minnesota Climate action framework, a plan
developed by the state of minnesota, set targets
to reduce emissions 50% by 2030 (from 2005) and
achieve net zero emissions by 2050. This Plan will:
Mitigate Climate Change: in line with state and
international greenhouse gas reduction targets,
Hopkins aims to:
+Reduce emissions 50% by 2030 (from
2019 levels)
+Achieve carbon neutrality by 2050
Build Community Resilience: Recognizing that
climate change is already causing exacerbated
weather disruptions and will continue to worsen,
Hopkins also aims to achieve resilience targets that:
+Strengthen infrastructure to withstand the
stresses and shocks of climate hazards
+Improve emergency preparedness for all
community members
+Enhance environmental and energy resilience
+Foster community connections and
well-being
Five Year Work Plan
The purpose of the five-year work plan is to work
toward long-term goals through focused, actionable
steps that will be implemented in the near term
and achieving the 2030 targets. actions selected
for this work plan are based on the City’s authority
to implement, the impact on emissions, and from
public input on priorities. Progress will be tracked
against the 2030 targets that support the five vision
elements. a short-term plan allows for adaptability,
enabling Hopkins to respond to new opportunities,
technologies, or community needs as they emerge,
while building momentum toward long-term goals
and vision, as well as improving the overall livability
of the community.
Zero Waste & Sustainable Living
Resilience to Climate Hazards
Active & Connected Lifestyles
Clean Air
the City of Hopkins thrives
from decades of investment in
integrated climate actions that
have reduced greenhouse gas
emissions and built resilience
to climate hazards. Everyone—
especially the most vulnerable—
benefits from cleaner air, lower
energy costs, zero waste, more
active and connected lifestyles,
and greater access to natural
resources. Effective use of
taxpayer dollars is reflected in the
affordability of the community
and availability of high-quality
public services and facilities.
Green City
DRAFT
10 ClimaTe aCTion & ResilienCe Plan
Existing Conditions2
The existing Conditions Report was completed to provide an assessment of current community
characteristics, climate hazards and vulnerabilities, and on-going plans, policies, and programs
that support climate action. This assessment provides insight into how well prepared the
community might be to manage climate change impacts and how it can build on on-going
efforts to achieve its targets and goals. Highlights from the report are included below; the full
report can be found on the City’s sustainability webpage.
Community Profile
Understanding the current demographic,
economic, and land-use patterns is useful for
identifying climate vulnerabilities and opportunities
to strengthen resilience. The following summarizes
key findings for Hopkins’ community profile. The
complete profile can be found in the Existing
Conditions Report. All demographic information
referenced in this section is from the Minnesota
Compass Hopkins Location Profile.
+Geography and Land Use: Hopkins is a four-
square-mile City, southwest of Minneapolis
with nearly 20,000 residents. The City is fully
developed, with 50% of land for residential use,
27% for commercial, industrial, and institutional
purposes, and 17% for parks.
+Demographics: The population is 59.3% White,
20.2% Black, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.1% are two
or more races, and 5.2% Asian or Pacific Islander.
Hopkins has a growing immigrant population
with nearly 11% of the population born outside of
the U.S. and 15% of residents speak a language
other than English at home.
+Income: Hopkins is generally a low- to middle-
class community with a median income of
$70,058 as compared to the median income of
Hennepin County ($92,600). Approximately 9% of
residents have incomes below the poverty line.
+Housing: The housing stock consists of about
9,000 housing units where 30% are single-
family homes and 64% are multi-family homes
with five or more units. Approximately 62% of
housing units are renter-occupied, and 32% are
owner-occupied.
• Cost Burden (the percent of income spent
on household costs): An estimated 36%
of Hopkins’ residents are considered cost-
burdened (spending more than 30% of their
income on household costs); 19% of owner-
occupied homes and 45% of renters are
considered cost-burdened.
• Energy Burden (the percent of income
spent on energy utilities): The average
energy burden in Hopkins is 3% and can
be as high as 12% among households with
lower incomes (6% is considered high; 10% is
considered severe).
+Workforce: Hopkins hosts a diverse workforce
with at least 15 different industries present in
the community. More than 18,000 people work
in Hopkins, earning an average of more than
$40,000 per year.
+Commute: The primary mode of transportation
for residents is to drive alone (65%). In addition to
driving alone, about 10% of commuters carpool,
4% take public transportation, 6% walk or bike,
and 16% work from home. The average commute
for residents is about 20 minutes.
DRAFT
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Hopkins Minneapolis
Bloomington
Minnetonka
Plymouth
17%
15% 33%
9%
6%
5%
4%
4%
Single-Family
Residential
Industrial
Institutional
Mixed Use
Major Roadways
Agricultural & Undeveloped
7%Commercial
Park &
Recreational
Multi-Family
Residential
Generalized Land Use
Commuting Patterns
65%
Drive Alone
16%
Work fromHome
10%
Carpool
4%
Public Transport
4%
Walk
Commuters by Mode
Commute Time
21.2
Minutes
2017
19.8
Minutes
2022
Housing
Housing Type
Household Breakdown
2,596
Single-Family Homes
500
Duplexes
690
Townhomes
5,723
Multi-Family Homes
44%
Live Alone
20%
Families w/oChildren
12%
Married w/Children
12%
Unmarried w/Children
11%
Non-FamilyHouseholds
Age Distribution
21%under 18 64%18-65 15%over 65
59%White
20%Black
8%Hispanic/Latinx
7%Two or MoreRaces
5%Asian/Pacific Islander
Race
Population 19,079
$29k $36k
1990
$39k
$52k
2000
$47k
$64k
2013
$55k
$74k
2018
$71k
$96k
2023
Income
City of Hopkins Hennepin County
Median Income
Figure 2�1 Hopkins Demographic overview
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Climate Hazards
Hopkins is already experiencing the effects of
climate change. As global temperatures rise,
precipitation patterns have changed, extreme
weather events have become more frequent,
and both winter and summer temperatures have
increased. These hazards pose risks to public
health and property, City infrastructure, and
natural resources. In recent years there has been
an acceleration in global temperatures as well
as extreme weather conditions. Using media
reports and projections from the University of
Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership, the
following provides a snapshot of what the City has
experienced and can expect to see in the future.
+2023 and 2024 Notable Events:
• Hopkins experienced 33 days above 90
degrees F in 2023 (more than double the
historical average of 13 days).
• Severe storms caused $1.1 billion in damages
across the Twin Cities in August of 2023.
• A record number of air quality alert
days, due to Canadian wildfire smoke,
occurred in 2023.
• Winter of 2023-2024 was dubbed as the “lost
winter” due to being relatively warm and
without snow for much of the season.
• 2024 is the warmest year on record,
exceeding 1.5°C (2.7°F) (above pre-
industrial levels.
+Mid-Century Climate Projections (Minnesota
Climate Mapping and Analysis Tool, CliMAT)
• Winters and summers are expected
to warm, especially overnight winter
temperatures.
• Average daily temperatures are projected to
be 87.9 degrees F — over five degrees hotter
than the historical summer average.
–Urban heat islands, which can be up to 15
degrees F hotter than surrounding areas,
will be a growing concern as summers
get hotter.
• An increase in heavy precipitation events
(mostly in winter and spring) with long dry
spells during summer and fall are likely.
• Annual precipitation is projected to increase
1.4 inches under an intermediate scenario.
Figure 2�2 Wetter summers: mid-century spring
Precipitation Projection for Hennepin County.
Figure 2�3 Drier summers: mid-century summer
Precipitation Projection for Hennepin County.
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Vulnerability Assessment
Communities conduct vulnerability assessments
to evaluate how climate hazards may impact
people, infrastructure, and natural resources
based on risk of exposure to the various hazards
and vulnerabilities. Certain populations may be
more vulnerable due to age, income level, health
indicators, housing conditions, and language
barriers. In 2021, Hennepin County completed
a vulnerability assessment that details the risks
that current and projected climate hazards pose
to water, transportation, public health, natural
systems, and built infrastructure.
The following section summarizes climate hazards
and their prevalence in Hopkins and potential
population vulnerabilities. All demographic
information referenced in this section is from the
Minnesota Compass Hopkins Location Profile.
Extreme Heat & urban Heat Island Effect
Hazard: An increase in the number of days above
90 degrees F (extreme heat) and prolonged heat
waves where urban areas like Blake Road and
Excelsior Boulevard absorb more heat due to
a high percentage (40.6%) of land cover that is
asphalt with limited vegetation (i.e., urban heat
island effect).
Vulnerable Populations:
+Adults over 65 (15% of Hopkins residents):
More prone to heat-related illnesses like heat
stroke and dehydration. Those who live alone,
lack air conditioning, and/or have limited social
support are most vulnerable.
+Young children (8% under the age of 5):
Higher risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion
when playing outside in excessive heat,
disruptive to the ability to learn when there is
not adequate air conditioning.
+Low-income households (36% are cost-
burdened): May struggle to afford air
Figure 2�4 Population Vulnerability Composite.
Source: Hennepin County Vulnerability Assessment�
“ Climate change often
feels like a conversation
reserved for the privileged,
centered on fighting for future
generations. the concept of
“resilience” can feel loaded,
especially when Black people
have a long history in this
country of fighting just to
survive, let alone thrive.
Brooke Roper, Hopkins Resident
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conditioners or increased energy bills from
running them. Rental housing may lack
cooling appliances.
+Outdoor workers (2�9% of workers are in
construction): Prolonged exposure to excessive
heat increases the risk of heat stroke and other
heat-related illnesses.
+Non-English speakers (15% speak a language
other than English at home): Language
barriers may limit access to adequate heat
warnings and cooling resources.
Severe Storms & Power outages
Hazard: Hopkins may experience increasingly severe
storms with high winds, hail, and heavy rainfall,
leading to power outages and property damage.
Vulnerable Populations:
+Renters in multi-family housing (64% of
housing units): Renters have less control over
building resilience, risk of extended power
outages, lack of access to alternative housing
after damaging events.
+Seniors (15%) and people with disabilities
(16%): Seniors and people with disabilities may
rely on medical equipment that needs power
or refrigeration and be less able to evacuate or
get to safety.
+Low-income households (9% below poverty):
Those with lower incomes may have a limited
ability to recover from property damage and
to be able to afford emergency preparedness
resources.
+Non-English speakers (4�6% speak English
less than “very well”): May not understand or
receive warnings in time.
+People without reliable transportation (11%
no vehicle; 16% with a disability): Those
without access to vehicles, bikes, or transit
may struggle to reach emergency shelters or
resources.
Flooding & Water damage
Hazard: More frequent heavy rainfall events
increase the risk of flash flooding and may more
severely impact areas with aging infrastructure
and in low-lying land.
Vulnerable Populations:
+Residents in flood-prone areas (data
not available for Hopkins): Low-lying
neighborhoods and older buildings are at
higher risk of water damage.
+Low-income households (45% renter
households are cost-burdened; 19% or owner-
occupied households are cost-burdened):
Those with lower incomes may have less
financial ability to repair flood damage or
relocate if home becomes uninhabitable.
+Renters in older buildings (46% of buildings
were constructed before 1970): Renters are
less able to repair water damage and greater
risk of mold.
+Non-English speakers (4�6% speak English
less than “very well”): Some residents may not
receive or understand flood warnings that are
in English only.
Air Quality & Wildfire Smoke
Hazard: Increased wildfire smoke and/or vehicle
exhaust contribute to poor air quality.
Vulnerable Population:
+Children (8% under the age of 5) & seniors
over 65 (15% of Hopkins residents): Those more
sensitive to poor air quality are at increased risk
for asthma attacks and respiratory distress.
+People with pre-existing health conditions
e�g�, asthma, COPD, heart disease (data
not available for Hopkins): Poor air quality
exacerbates these health conditions.
+Outdoor workers (2�9% of workers are in
construction): Increased exposure to polluted
air without proper protective equipment and
measures.
+Low-income residents (9% below poverty):
Those with lower incomes are less likely to have
air purifiers, air-conditioned spaces, or the ability
to stay indoors during poor air quality events.
DRAFT
June 2025 15
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Figure 2�6 extreme Heat map Tool
Source: Metropolitan Council. Extreme Heat Map Tool (arcgis�com)
Land Surface
temperature
111 Degrees (f)
78 Degrees (f)
Primary
secondary
Tertiary
shallow
Figure 2�7 flood Hazards - localized flood map screen Tool
Source: Metropolitan Council Localized Flood Map Screening Tool
DRAFT
16 ClimaTe aCTion & ResilienCe Plan
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Waste
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Electricity
(-62%)
Com/Ind (-64%)
Res. (-59%)
2007 2023
Heating Fuels
(-1%)
Res.
(+2%)
2007 2023
Travel
(-26%)
2007 2023
Com/Ind (-2%)
0
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2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Waste
Vehicle Travel
Building Energy
68%
29%
3%
thousand tonnes COe
Figure 2�8 Hopkins Greenhouse Gas emissions, 2007-2023.
Source: Regional Indicators Initiative
Figure 2�9 Hopkins Greenhouse Gas emissions by sector, 2007-2023.
Source: Regional Indicators Initiative
DRAFT
June 2025 17
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Community-wide GHG Inventory
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are generated
from the combustion of natural gas in buildings
for space and water heating and cooking, the
generation of electricity from fossil fuels, the use
of gasoline and diesel for transportation fuels, and
from waste disposal. GHG emissions are measured
in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), which is
a metric to compare global warming potential
of different greenhouse gases. In 2023, 68% of
emissions in Hopkins came from energy used in
buildings, 29% from travel, and 3% from waste
(Figure 2.8).
In 2007, more than 220,000 tons of CO2e were
emitted due to activity within the boundary
of Hopkins. Since that time, emissions have
decreased 38% to less than 150,000 tons of CO2e
in 2023. Much of the decrease can be attributed to
cleaner generation of electricity provided by Xcel
Energy. Figure 2 illustrates how emissions from
each sector have changed since 2007. Both the
residential and commercial electricity sectors have
sharply decreased emissions and are expected
to reach zero carbon by 2040 due to state law.
Additional trends are summarized below.
+Emissions from natural gas tend to follow
annual weather patterns, i.e.,more gas is used
in colder winters and less in warmer winters.
+Travel emissions decreased substantially
during the pandemic and have since
rebounded, though they have remained below
pre-pandemic levels.
+Waste emissions have remained roughly
the same with emissions coming from the
incineration and landfilling of disposed items.
A complete description of the GHG inventory is
included in the Existing Conditions Report.
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DRAFT
18 ClimaTe aCTion & ResilienCe Plan
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Climate Policies, Programs, Plans with Climate reference
This Plan builds upon the sustainability efforts
in current City plans, polices, and programs.
For example, the City’s 2040 Comprehensive
Plan, Cultivate Hopkins, prioritizes resilience
by including goals on integrating green
infrastructure, expanding the urban tree canopy,
and reducing urban heat island effect. Additional
policies of the Comprehensive Plan support
neighborhood and community connection efforts,
improve health systems, and prioritize a healthy
environment. The 2025 City Council Strategic
Plan reinforces these policies with a goal to
promote a resilient community by maintaining
physical infrastructure, practicing environmental
responsibility, and supporting a range of
affordable housing options that are connected to
multiple modes of transportation.
Additional plans like the Water Resource
Management Plan, Park System Master Plan,
and Energy Action Plan, go deeper in identifying
specific actions for a more sustainable Hopkins.
Generally, there is strong support for climate
mitigation and resilience incorporated throughout
the City’s various plans and opportunity to better
integrate these plans into the City’s policies
and budgets.
The City has initiated several projects aimed at
reducing emissions and building resilience. With
a focus on City operations, the City subscribes to
solar gardens that have generated over 14,000
MWh of solar and resulted in more than $1 million
in bill credits. The City is also looking to install
more solar energy systems on its buildings and
is completing a fleet study to transition toward a
low- and no-carbon fleet.
In the broader community, the City launched
the Hopkins Climate Solutions Fund, which
provides rebates to businesses and residents who
make efficiency, electrification, clean energy,
and sustainable transportation improvements.
The program integrates the strategies from
the Hopkins Heat Vulnerability Study which
recommends bonuses for businesses to increase
cool surfaces in areas of urban heat island effect.
The City most recently announced the launch of
its first electric cars share hub at Dow Towers as
part of HOURCAR’s Multifamily Electric Vehicle
Pilot Project. Two electric, hub-based vehicles
will be available to provide residents and the
surrounding community with access to clean,
affordable transportation. Additional initiatives
can be found in the Existing Conditions Report.
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DRAFT
June 2025 19
3 Engagement results
engagement for the Hopkins Climate action and Resilience Plan was designed to be inclusive,
accessible, and reflective of community priorities. The City employed a variety of engagement
methods and opportunities to gather input from a broad range of perspectives across the
community. engagement methods included in-person events, a virtual webinar, several focused
conversations with community representatives, and a multilingual online survey. in total, nearly
300 people provided input. These engagement opportunities informed the vision, targets, and
priorities of the five-year work plan. more details can be found in the engagement summary, and
the process and themes that emerged are summarized below.
Engagement Process
+January 25, 2025 Kick-off Event: More than
40 people attended the climate action and
resilience plan kick-off at The Depot in Hopkins.
+February 5, 2025 Webinar: Nearly a dozen
people joined a virtual webinar to learn about
the plan and share input.
+February–March Focused Conversations:
The City hosted six conversations with key
stakeholder groups throughout February and
March to have more focused discussions and
gather broader perspectives. The following
groups participated in focused discussions:
• Hopkins Business and Civic Association (HBCA)
• Hopkins-Minnetonka Youth Advisory
Board (YAB)
• Dow Towers residents
• Hopkins Apartment Managers’ Assoc. (HAMA)
• Lunch and Learn at Activity Center
• Hopkins Division Managers
+February–March Tabling Events: City staff
tabled at various community events in the
City to share the planning process and gather
feedback from attendees.
+March–April Online Survey: The City hosted an
online survey in English, Spanish, and Somali to
gather insight into what community members
envision for a resilient City and their priority
actions for climate mitigation and adaptation.
Photos From Engagement Events
DRAFT
20 ClimaTe aCTion & ResilienCe Plan
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themes
At each of these events, City staff shared
background information about the Climate Action
and Resilience Plan, then asked participants to
share their visions for a future Hopkins that has
reduced its emissions and successfully adapted
to climate change. Participants were able to
share using written or illustrated images for the
future, which were captured on blank, cutout
puzzle pieces. Themes that emerged from
the puzzle pieces and suggested actions are
summarized below:
+Clean Energy: Many people shared images of
solar panels and wind turbines. Many would
like to see a solar garden on the landfill site
as well as more access to solar energy for all
residents, especially those with lower incomes.
+Nature: Many of the vision images depicted
scenes that incorporated nature into the
City, especially increased trees, native plants,
pollinator habitats, green roofs, and clean water
and air. These themes were reinforced through
survey responses and action prioritization.
+Transportation: There was strong sentiment
for multiple transportation options including
better transit, improved biking and walking
connectivity, and reduced car traffic in
downtown. Generally, participants wanted
safer, more convenient, and accessible
transportation options.
+Waste: Many participants expressed a desire
for more education and options for sustainable
disposal of waste, especially for organics.
Specifically, participants wanted to see
workshops that offered education on recycling,
and for the City to offer organics collection at
multi-family housing. There was a strong desire
for more emphasis on rental housing options
for more sustainable waste collection and
education.
Figure 3�1 Connected Puzzle of Participant’s Vision for Hopkins’ future
DRAFT
June 2025 21
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Survey results
An online survey also captured community
sentiment about climate priorities. The survey
collected responses from mid-March 2025
through mid-April 2025. While the survey was
available in three languages (English, Spanish,
and Somali), the English language version was the
only one with any responses. In total, 120 people
responded to the survey.
The survey included questions about general
attitudes toward mitigating and adapting to
climate change. Most respondents (67.5%)
consider addressing climate change “very
important”, while 14.5% said it is “somewhat
important”, and 18.0% said it is not important at
all. Survey respondents were generally positive
and enthusiastic about making Hopkins greener,
walkable, and community-focused. Themes that
emerged were in support of more clean energy
and efficiency, expanded green infrastructure and
natural spaces, increased transportation options,
and community well-being. Some concerns that
were expressed included using public dollars
for climate action, frustration with mandatory
programs like organics recycling fees, and the
environmental impact of electric vehicles.
Storytelling
In partnership with local consultant Change
Narrative, the City of Hopkins hosted a community
event on Earth Day to wrap up engagement
and shift the focus of the process to developing
the work plan. The event featured an overview
of the draft vision and supporting elements,
insights from community discussions, and
climate stories from three Hopkins community
members. The climate stories were personal
reflections of lived experiences and how they
connect to and are impacted by climate change.
The stories featured at this event can be found
on the City’s sustainability page and excerpts
have been woven into the Climate Action and
Resilience Plan.
Figure 3�2 sample of survey Results
61.5%
Very important
22.2 %
somewhat important
16.2 %
not important
67.5%
Very important
14 .5%
18%
not important
somewhat important
Importance that Hopkins reduce its
greenhouse gas emissions
Importance that Hopkins
implements actions to adapt to
climate change & strengthen
community resilience
* Dials represent the weighted average of responses
DRAFT
22 ClimaTe aCTion & ResilienCe Plan
Vision & Goals4
informed by community input, the long-term vision illustrates a possible future for Hopkins
where the City successfully implements actions to reduce emissions and strengthen resilience.
The Vision statement was developed from the themes that emerged from public input,
where the Hopkins community emphasized the importance of access to clean electricity,
increased green space, more mobility options, zero waste, and resilience to climate hazards.
by reflecting stakeholder input, Hopkins is creating a sustainable future that meets the needs
of the community. The structure of the Vision includes a broad statement that helps visualize
the future of Hopkins, followed by five elements that support the community-driven themes.
These elements are used to structure the five-year work plan and are supported by strategies,
objectives, and actions that will help move Hopkins toward its desired future.
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DRAFT
June 2025 23
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our Climate Vision
The City of Hopkins thrives from decades of investment in integrated climate actions that have reduced
greenhouse gas emissions and built resilience to climate hazards. everyone—especially the most
vulnerable—benefits from cleaner air, lower energy costs, zero waste, more active and connected
lifestyles, and greater access to natural resources. effective use of taxpayer dollars is reflected in the
affordability of the community and availability of high-quality public services and facilities.
Clean Air� Widespread electrification
of buildings and transportation have eliminated
harmful emissions from the combustion of fossil
fuels. All buildings have installed technologies that
remove airborne contaminants, maintaining good
indoor air quality during times of poor outdoor air
quality. Energy efficient buildings and renewable
electricity have eliminated the need for fossil
fuels, keeping utility bills stable and affordable,
especially for households with the highest energy
burden. Zero emissions vehicles reduce pollution
along arterial and local roadways.
Green City� A robust tree canopy cools the
City, reduces heat islands, improves air quality,
and provides wildlife habitat. Native plants in
parks, boulevards, and yards cut water use, boost
biodiversity, and connect people to nature. Green
infrastructure—like rain gardens, bioswales,
green roofs, and permeable pavement—manages
stormwater naturally and enhances public spaces.
Active & Connected Lifestyles� Residents
and visitors have access to safe biking and walking
infrastructure that connects neighborhoods,
businesses, parks, and neighboring communities.
Reliable, affordable transit reduces reliance on
personal vehicles and the high cost of ownership.
Neighbors connect and support each other
through increased opportunities to interact in
public spaces.
Zero Waste & Sustainable Living� Robust
composting, recycling, and reuse programs
eliminate the need for landfills and incinerators.
Municipal services, businesses, and households
embrace a circular economy, reducing excess
consumption and prioritizing sustainable
purchasing practices. Sustainable housing
options maintain affordability while promoting
climate resilience. Healthy soils amended with
biochar or compost support and abundance of
community gardens, fruit-bearing trees, and
raspberry brambles that provide greater access to
healthy, affordable food while supporting resilient
ecosystems and sequestering carbon.
Resilience to Hazards� Flood-resistant
infrastructure complemented by natural
stormwater management protects against
extreme weather. High-quality public services and
resilient infrastructure keep taxes predictable and
stable. Cooling centers and green spaces reduce
heat risks, especially for vulnerable populations.
Emergency preparedness programs and resilience
hubs ensure community safety and rapid
response during disruptive weather events.
DRAFT
24 ClimaTe aCTion & ResilienCe Plan
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Goals
This Plan guides the City of Hopkins toward
achieving its goals to reduce emissions and
build resilience to current and projected climate
hazards. By 2030, the City aims to reduce
community-wide emissions by 50% from a 2019
baseline and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050,
in line with the Paris Agreement and State goals.
Achieving these goals will allow Hopkins to
contribute to the global emissions reductions that
are necessary to keep temperatures from rising
over 2°C (3.6°F). In 2019, Hopkins emitted 173,153
tonnes of CO2e. In 2023, emissions decreased
by 19% to 140,926 tonnes of CO2e. An additional
54,349 tonnes will need to be reduced by 2030 to
achieve a 50% reduction (orange line in Figure 4.1).
Some of these emissions will be reduced through
continued decarbonization of electric generation,
the rest will have to primarily come from changes
in how the community uses energy in our
buildings and vehicles.
Beyond reducing emissions, the community
must also prepare for current and projected
climate hazards. These preparations will help the
community adapt to various stressors like drought
and extreme heat, as well as disruptive weather.
In addition to emissions reduction goals, the City
also aims to strengthen infrastructure, improve
emergency preparedness, enhance environmental
and energy resilience, and strengthen community
connections and well-being.
The following section includes targets, strategies,
objectives, and actions for each of the vision
elements to be completed over the next five years.
Figure 4�1 2030 Goal for Hopkins Greenhouse
Gas emissions
Source: Regional Indicators Initiative
“ I know I am not alone
in feeling climate grief and
overwhelm about our changing
environment. the heaviness
of the knowledge of what is
happening in our world and my
circle of influence sometimes
feels so small. I question what
I can do as one person, and
as an artist. I remember Ms.
Judith’s words: “try, because
despite all the challenges,
some things are beautiful
possibilities worth pursuing.”
She taught me not to fear
the feeling of not being “big
enough” to make a difference.
Julie Marie Muskat, Hopkins Resident
Waste
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DRAFT
June 2025 25
5 Five Year Work Plan
This work plan is intended to be implemented over the next five years and is organized by
each vision element: Clean air, Green City, active and Connected lifestyles, Zero Waste and
sustainable living, and Resilience to Hazards. each vision element includes 2030 targets and
strategies to achieve them. each strategy is supported by broad objectives and specific actions
that will be implemented over the next five years. This is not an exhaustive list of the actions
necessary to achieve long-term goals but will help the City remain on track to meet those goals.
Implementation
Beyond the strategies outlined under each vision
element in the work plan, the City can also ensure
the successful implementation of this Plan by
securing sustainable funding sources, enacting
supportive policies, dedicating staff resources, and
establishing processes to measure progress and
share success. Each implementation strategy is
further detailed here:
1� Secure Sustainable Funding Sources
To ensure long-term funding, the City should:
+Maintain franchise fee funding support for the
Hopkins Climate Solutions Fund; continue to
prioritize income-qualified households.
+Include climate action funding in the general
operating budget; prioritize spending to
improve equity across the community.
+Review the Capital Improvement Plan to
identify gaps and opportunities to incorporate
climate mitigation and adaptation into
planned and future infrastructure projects,
especially in neighborhoods most at risk.
+Pursue diverse funding streams such as county
resources, state grants, federal tax incentives,
philanthropic contributions, bonds, or other
mechanisms.
2� Enacting Supporting Policies
To strengthen the Plan, the City should:
+Integrate the Climate Action and Resilience
Plan into the City Council’s future Goals and
Strategic Plans.
+In collaboration with the Metropolitan Council,
incorporate elements of this Plan into the next
Comprehensive Plan update.
3� Dedicating Staff Resources
To ensure capacity for implementation, the
City should:
+Continue to fund and support full-time
sustainability staffing and programming.
+Incorporate additional staff capacity as needed.
+Ensure the Plan is implemented across City
departments.
+Leverage external resources through
partnerships, collaborations, and technical
assistance to supplement internal staffing.
4� Measure progress and share success
To stay on track and encourage the community,
the City should:
+Develop a reporting platform to share
accomplishments and progress toward goals.
+Develop a recognition program for
community partners.
+Share successes and highlights through the
City’s communications channels.
DRAFT
26 ClimaTe aCTion & ResilienCe Plan
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Clean Air
Widespread electrification of buildings and transportation have eliminated harmful emissions from the
combustion of fossil fuels. all buildings have installed technologies that remove airborne contaminants
maintaining good indoor air quality during times of poor outdoor air quality. energy efficient buildings
and renewable electricity have eliminated the need for fossil fuels, keeping utility bills stable and
affordable, especially for households with the highest energy burden. Zero emissions vehicles reduce
pollution along arterial and local roadways.
overview
Combustion of fossil fuels contributes to air
pollution. Outside, air pollution comes from gas
and diesel combustion engines of vehicles and
industrial processes. Inside, gas used for cooking
and heating appliances contributes to poor indoor
air quality. Electrification of both buildings and
vehicles allows for the same conveniences and
comforts while significantly reducing the amount
of emissions and air pollutants.
2030 targets
+20% of registered vehicles in Hopkins are electric
or plug-in hybrid
+Five additional public-facing charging stations
(four Level 2 and one Level 3)
+100% clean electricity for City Operations
+All City fleet vehicles are low or zero emissions, or
are scheduled for replacement
+1.5% of community-wide electricity consumption
comes from clean electricity generation within
the city or community solar garden subscriptions
+500 cold climate residential heat-pumps installed
Strategy I: Adopt electric and hybrid
vehicles, including cars, light-duty trucks,
buses, and other heavy-duty trucks and
equipment.
objective A: reduce emissions from the City
fleet by replacing combustion vehicles with
electric or hybrid options, including vehicles,
bikes, and scooters.
+ Action 1: Complete a comprehensive fleet study
across all departments.
+ Action 2: Create a vehicle replacement schedule
based on the fleet study.
+ Action 3: Complete a charging assessment for
replacement vehicle needs.
+ Action 4: Incorporate the fleet replacement into
the Capital Improvement Plan.
+ Action 5: Purchase and replace vehicles with
electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles
Lead: Public Works: Streets and Fleets; Police
Department; Fire Department
Funding Sources: City budget, federal tax incentives,
Xcel Energy rebates
Partners: Xcel Energy, Minnesota Department of
Administration, MNDOT (EVal uate Tool)
Supporting plans/policies/programs: City fleet
study, Sustainability Work Plan, Energy Action Plan,
Comprehensive Plan, Capital Improvement Plan,
Equipment Replacement Plan
“ I am a fierce champion
for health equity and ensuring
everyone has access to clean
air, water, and food. Fighting
for a healthy climate and for
students is at the heart of this
mission. It became even more
personal when my son, at just
four years old, had his first
asthma attack.
Brooke Roper, Hopkins Resident
DRAFT
June 2025 27
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objective B: Support community members
and visitors in the adoption of fully electric
and plug-in hybrid vehicles by providing and/
or enabling public Level 2 and Level 3 charging
stations.
+ Action 1: Assess opportunities for access to
public charging stations, including use, location,
and utility power supply capacity.
+ Action 2: Identify funding to install public
charging stations.
+ Action 3: Work with external partners to
procure, install, and maintain charging stations.
Lead: Public Works: Facilities
Funding Sources: City budget, federal tax incentives
Partners: Xcel Energy, Minnesota Department of
Administration
Supporting plans/policies/programs: Sustainability
Work Plan, Energy Action Plan
objective C: Support a community-wide
increased adoption of electric and plug-in
hybrid electric vehicles through education and
incentives.
+ Action 1: Utilizing the Hopkins Climate
Solutions Fund, continue offering incentives
to property managers and landlords to install
electric vehicle charging infrastructure to
incentivize more charging availability for renters.
+ Action 2: Encourage and incentivize businesses
to add charging stations that are available for
employees and visitors.
+ Action 3: Provide educational materials
to residents about the benefits of electric
vehicles and plug-in hybrids, as well
as available incentives, through City
communication channels
Lead: Public Works: Engineering; Communications
Funding Sources: Hopkins Climate Solutions Fund,
federal tax incentives
Partners: Xcel Energy
Supporting plans/policies/programs: Energy
Action Plan
Strategy II: Expand building
electrification, efficiency, and
clean energy
objective A: Identify opportunities to
decarbonize public buildings.
+ Action 1: Add and maintain a complete
portfolio of municipal facilities in B3. Continue
identifying opportunities for on-going efficiency
improvements.
+ Action 2: Complete a building decarbonization
plan for all municipal buildings and facilities to
achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
+ Action 3: Begin implementation of the
municipal building decarbonization plan.
+ Action 4: Design and construct all new public
buildings to be carbon neutral, in alignment with
the Sustainable Building Ordinance.
Lead: Public Works: Engineering, Facilities; Planning
and Development
Funding Sources: City budget
Partners: City of Saint Paul (Building
Decarbonization Plan), Minnesota B3
Supporting plans/policies/programs: Energy
Action Plan
objective B: Initiate at least one geothermal or
networked geothermal demonstration project
at a City facility or facilities.
+ Action 1: Identify at least one suitable City-
owned site to install geothermal.
+ Action 2: Conduct a feasibility study to
determine geologic conditions, engineering
analysis, and costs.
+ Action 3: Using the feasibility study findings,
secure funding through grants, loans, bonding,
tax and utility incentives for construction.
+ Action 4: Engage relevant City staff,
community groups, and others to provide
information and updates about the geothermal
demonstration project.
Lead: Public Works: Facilities; Administration
Funding Sources: MPCA geothermal planning
grants, federal tax credits, Minnesota Climate
Innovation Finance Authority
Partners: Minnesota Department of Commerce,
CenterPoint Energy
Supporting plans/policies/programs: Park System
Master Plan
DRAFT
28 ClimaTe aCTion & ResilienCe Plan
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objective C: Maximize clean electricity
generation for City electricity use.
+ Action 1: Continue subscribing to community
solar gardens for City electricity consumption.
+ Action 2: Maximize solar energy on public
buildings and underutilized land (e.g., landfill).
+ Action 3: Assess public buildings to identify
where energy storage could be used to reduce
peak demand.
Lead: Public Works; Finance
Funding Sources: Federal tax incentives, Solar on
Public Buildings Grant
Partners: Xcel Energy, Minnesota Department of
Commerce, Community solar garden providers
Supporting plans/policies/programs: Energy
Action Plan, Comprehensive Plan, Heat
Vulnerability Study, Park System Master Plan
objective d: Support the decarbonization
of residential, commercial, and institutional
buildings.
+ Action 1: Continue to provide financial
incentives through the Hopkins Climate
Solutions Fund to businesses and residents
for the purpose of increasing efficiency,
electrification, and access to clean electricity.
Share success and program updates annually.
+ Action 2: Utilize City communication channels
to share resources about available technologies
and incentives to help businesses and residents
decarbonize their buildings.
+ Action 3: Provide resources with a focus
on income-qualified residents to increase
community solar garden subscriptions and/or
rooftop solar installations.
+ Action 4: Host quarterly workshops on relevant
topics to engage residents on home energy
efficiency, decarbonization, and clean electricity
technologies and practices.
+ Action 5: Celebrate the implementation of at
least one project completed on private property
that employs new decarbonization technologies,
such as geothermal, thermal energy networks,
air source heat pumps, solar and storage, or
other technologies, through City communication
channels, ribbon cutting, case study, or other
recognition.
Lead: Public Works: Engineering; Planning and
Development; Inspections
Funding Sources: MinnPACE, tax credits, utility
rebates, Hopkins Climate Solutions Fund,
Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority
(MNCIFA), MN Home Efficiency Rebate Program
(HOMES), MN Home Electrification and Appliance
Rebate (HEAR)
Partners: Saint Paul Port Authority, MNCIFA,
Energy Smart, Center for Energy and Environment,
EnerChange
Supporting plans/policies/programs: Energy
Action Plan, Sustainable Building Policy,
Comprehensive Plan
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Green City
a robust tree canopy cools the City, reduces heat islands, improves air quality, and provides wildlife
habitat. native plants in parks, boulevards, and yards cut water use, boost biodiversity, and connect people
to nature. Green infrastructure—like rain gardens, bioswales, green roofs, and permeable pavement—
manages stormwater naturally and enhances public spaces.
overview
The City of Hopkins is dominated by impervious
surfaces, primarily asphalt and concrete, as
well as large industrial buildings. Some areas
within the City are nearly 100% impervious land
cover, especially downtown and along Excelsior
Boulevard. Impervious surfaces complicate storm
water runoff management, contribute to urban
heat island effect, and negatively impact livability,
habitat, and ecological functions.
Prior to European settlement, Hopkins was
dominated by wet prairies, wetlands, and oak
barrens (University of Minnesota Natural
Resource Atlas). Restoration of native vegetation
through green infrastructure installations,
depaving practices, turf removal, and tree planting
will help to mitigate the negative effects of over
paving, strengthen the resilience of the natural
environment, and make the City more attractive
for residents and visitors.
2030 targets
+Convert and restore at least 5 acres of
underutilized (pavement and turf) areas across
the community to native wet prairie, oak
barren, wetland, or deciduous forest by 2030.
+Plant 2,000 (400/year) trees across public and
private spaces, prioritizing neighborhoods
with a relatively low tree equity score,
non-recreational park areas, and new
developments.
Strategy I: Increase tree canopy and
convert underutilized paved and turf
land cover to functional green space that
manages stormwater, supports urban
cooling, and provides habitat.
objective A: Maintain and increase the urban
tree canopy on publicly-owned properties to
provide more shade and increase cooling.
+ Action 1: Increase urban forestry budget to
hire additional staff and provide the resources
necessary to increase capacity for tree planting
and care.
+ Action 2: Use the tree inventory to identify high
priority tree replacement and new plantings.
+ Action 3: Celebrate annual tree plantings each
Arbor Day.
+ Action 4: Maintain Tree City USA recognition
and explore the Growth Award.
Lead: Public Works: Forestry, Engineering
Funding Sources: General Fund, Grants, Tree Sale
Partners: Tree Trust, Hennepin County, Nine
Mile Creek Watershed District, Minnehaha Creek
Watershed District
Supporting plans/policies/programs:
Comprehensive Plan, Park System Master Plan
“ Even as a child, I
experienced how combining a
love of nature and art could
cultivate beauty and
connection in the world.
Julie Marie Muskat, Hopkins Resident
DRAFT
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objective B: Improve on-site stormwater
management with green infrastructure on
publicly-owned properties.
+ Action 1: Assess downtown public parking
areas for opportunities to convert pavement to
reflective, permeable pavement and/or remove
excess pavement and replace it with native
vegetation and/or green infrastructure.
+ Action 2: Assess parks for underutilized turf
that can be converted to native vegetation, food
production (see Zero Waste and Sustainable
Living), or green stormwater infrastructure.
+ Action 3: Incorporate green and/or white roofs
into planned roof replacements in the Capital
Improvement Plan.
+ Action 4: Encourage participation in
“Adopt a Drain”
Lead: Public Works: Engineering, Facilities, Streets
and Fleets, Parks; Parks and Recreation; Planning
and Economic Development
Funding Sources: MPCA resilience grants, Capital
Improvement Plan
Partners: Nine Mile Creek Watershed District,
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District,
Hennepin County
Supporting plans/policies/programs:
Heat Vulnerability Study, Stormwater
Management webpage
objective C: Enhance public spaces by
converting land cover from turf and pavement
to pre-settlement vegetation, where
appropriate, to improve attractiveness, enhance
user experience, and support wildlife habitat.
+ Action 1: Assess park land to determine areas
that don’t support active recreation activities and
can be converted to native prairies species and
tree canopy improvements.
+ Action 2: In partnership with the watershed
districts and community members, develop a
plan to convert the underutilized land identified
in the park assessment.
+ Action 3: Identify opportunities and create a
plan to enhance streets —with native vegetation
and trees— that connect parks, improving
aesthetics, ecological function, and user
experience.
+ Action 4: Partner with Minneapolis and
other cities to produce and/or purchase
biochar and compost to help amend soil and
sequester carbon.
Lead: Parks and Recreation; Public Works: Parks
Funding Sources: Nine Mile Creek Watershed
District Cost Share
Partners: Nine Mile Creek Watershed District,
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, U.S. Biochar
Initiative (USBI), United States Composting Council
(USCC), City of Minneapolis
Supporting plans/policies/programs: Park System
Master Plan
objective d: Support the conversion
of rooftops, impervious surfaces, and
underutilized turf in a manner that improves
stormwater management and reduces urban
heat island effect on private properties.
+ Action 1: Continue the annual tree and spring
plant sales; offer further discounts or free trees to
areas of the City with low tree canopy and/or in
environmental justice areas of concern.
+ Action 2: Continue to offer the green
infrastructure bonus as part of the Hopkins
Climate Solutions Fund.
+ Action 3: Evaluate opportunities to include
native plants in Hopkins Climate Solutions Fund.
+ Action 4: Maintain up-to-date resources
about native plantings and tree care on the
City’s website.
+ Action 5: Add native landscaping and
sustainability bonus points to the Community
Image Award Nomination Form.
+ Action 6: Strengthen tree preservation and
planting requirements for new development.
Lead: Public Works: Forestry, Engineering; Planning
and Economic Development; Communications
Funding Sources: Hopkins Climate Solutions Fund
Partners: Tree Trust, Nine Mile Creek
Watershed District Seed Lab, Land and Water
Partnership Program
Supporting plans/policies/programs: Tree Sale,
Spring Plant Sale, 102-840 Existing Tree Ordinance
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Active & Connected Lifestyles
Residents and visitors have access to safe biking and walking infrastructure that connects
neighborhoods, businesses, parks, and neighboring communities. Reliable, affordable transit reduces
reliance on personal vehicles and the high cost of ownership. neighbors connect and support each other
through increased opportunities to interact in public spaces.
overview
Hopkins is well-positioned to be one of the most
sustainable transportation communities in the
state. Four regional bike trails connect within the
City, cycling infrastructure continues to improve
and expand, the downtown core is walkable, and
the light rail extension will add three stations
within the community that are already spurring
transit-oriented development. The relative
density of the community enables improved
transit options and justifies the need for more
transportation options to reduce congestion and
the demand for parking. More access to active
transportation and high-quality transit services
will contribute to improved health and reduced
costs for all residents.
2030 targets
+10% reduction in vehicle miles traveled (reduce
about 500 miles per person)
+45% of commutes are non-single occupancy
vehicles (35% in 2023)
Strategy I: Shift transportation modes
from cars to other options, including
biking, walking, shared mobility,
accessibility devices, and transit.
objective A: Expand and enhance
active transportation infrastructure that
accommodates and improves the safety and
experience of biking, walking, and using
accessibility devices and shared mobility
throughout the community.
+ Action 1: Ensure all new bike lanes are
protected and can accommodate side by
side biking as well as wheelchairs and other
mobility scooters.
+ Action 2: Incorporate native landscaping,
trees, and green infrastructure to streetscape to
improve the user experience.
+ Action 3: Review the City’s Complete Streets
Policy and update to include new transportation
modes (e.g., shared mobility), and more explicitly
include green infrastructure and vegetation
along boulevards.
+ Action 4: Update the City’s Pedestrian & Bike
Plan to improve connectivity of routes, enhance
user experience, and increase safety.
+ Action 5: Increase the percent of the City’s
Capital Improvement Plan budget for active
transportation.
+ Action 6: Add secure and substantial bike
storage at light rail stations (e.g., the 17th Avenue
park and ride).
“ the trail system is more to
me than a way to get places. I
often find ‘community’ along
its paths, meeting neighbors
and their dogs. Many days, my
husband david, an avid walker,
will join me, and it’s a place
where we can have important
conversations. I use the trails
year-round, which allows
me to witness the changing
intricacies of the seasons.
Jane Hufford Downes, Hopkins Resident
DRAFT
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+ Action 7: Evaluate the Hopkins Climate
Solutions Fund to increase incentives for income-
qualified households to purchase electric bikes or
scooters.
+ Action 8: Partner with local businesses and
organizations to conduct monthly community
bike rides May to August.
+ Action 9: Close off Mainstreet to vehicular traffic
at least one Saturday a month during summer
months (May - September).
Lead: Public Works: Engineering; Planning and
Economic Development
Funding Sources: City Budget, Active
Transportation Funding
Partners: Active Living Steering Committee,
Neighboring cities, Hennepin County, Metropolitan
Council, City of Minnetonka, Access Hopkins
Supporting plans/policies/programs: Hopkins
Pedestrian & Bike Plan, Active Living Project
objective B: Increase transit ridership through
improved bus shelters, last mile options, and
rider education.
+ Action 1: Partner with Metro Transit to improve
the aesthetics, comfort (including heating and
cooling), and safety of bus shelters.
+ Action 2: Add more last mile options by locating
shared mobility options near transit stops.
+ Action 3: Encourage community members to
sign up to “Adopt a Stop”
+ Action 4: Share rider tips and transit education
through the City’s communication channels.
Lead: Planning and Economic Development;
Communications
Funding Sources: City Budget
Partners: Metro Transit, Community Members
Supporting plans/policies/programs:
Comprehensive Plan
objective C: Expand shared and accessible
mobility options throughout the community
and in partnership with neighboring cities.
+ Action 1: Continue to partner with neighboring
communities to contract with electric micro-
mobility (bike and scooter) and expand the
service area; promote discount programs for
income-qualified residents.
+ Action 2: Partner with HOURCAR to expand
carsharing options (e.g., Evie) to at least two more
locations, prioritizing environmental justice areas
of concern.
+ Action 3: Promote alternative transportation
options on the City’s social media sites and other
communication channels.
Lead: Planning and Economic Development;
Administration; Communications
Funding Sources: City Budget
Partners: St. Louis Park, Golden Valley, Edina,
Minnetonka, Hennepin County
Supporting plans/policies/programs:
Comprehensive Plan
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Zero Waste & Sustainable Living
Robust composting, recycling, and reuse programs eliminate landfill and incinerator waste. businesses,
households, and municipal operations embrace a circular economy, reducing excess consumption and
prioritizing sustainable purchasing practices. sustainable housing options maintain affordability while
promoting climate resilience. Healthy soils amended with biochar or compost support an abundance of
community gardens, fruit-bearing trees, and raspberry brambles that provide greater access to healthy,
affordable food while supporting resilient ecosystems and sequestering carbon.
overview
Waste contributes to 3% of communitywide
greenhouse gas emissions. Much of the emissions
come from the incineration of materials that are
not diverted from the waste stream. Maximizing
waste diversion through recycling, composting,
reuse, and reducing consumption can help
mitigate emissions and minimize broader
environmental impacts. Homes that are built to
sustainable design standards use lower impact
construction materials and feature efficient and
clean technologies that enhance indoor air quality,
comfort, and long-term affordability. Sustainable
land management practices improve soil quality,
which has been degraded over time from
excessive salt use, polluted runoff, and nutrient
depletion.
2030 targets
+Recycle or compost 75% of waste by 2030
+Expand community gardens and food security
programs to serve at least 20% of low-income
households. Strategy I: Establish infrastructure to
build toward zero waste and a local
circular economy.
“ What I want my
grandchildren to know most is
that I have not given up
hope—because I still see so
many people who care. I’m
especially glad to see that
caring spirit alive in the
Hopkins community. Perhaps
one of the most important
actions I can do is introduce
my grandkids to the woods, so
they can look for and cherish
the wonders of the natural
world around them. [...] I am
confident that if they know
how wonderful our Earth is,
they will be more apt to try to
preserve it.
Jane Hufford Downes, Hopkins Resident
DRAFT
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objective A: Minimize waste at City buildings
and events by maximizing sustainable
purchasing, composting, recycling, and reuse.
+ Action 1: Adopt a City sustainable purchasing
policy that prioritizes GHG emissions, reusable
and compostable products, and eliminates
plastic where possible.
+ Action 2: Provide training and resources for
City staff to maximize waste reduction at City
buildings and host zero waste community events.
+ Action 3: Adopt a sustainable
packaging ordinance
Lead: Public Works: Engineering, Facilities;
Communications; Finance; All City staff
Funding Sources: Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency Waste Reduction and Reuse Grants, City
budget, Hennepin County (Hennepin County Solid
Waste Management Plan, Hennepin County Zero
Waste Plan)
Partners: Hennepin County, Waste hauler
Supporting plans/policies/programs:
Comprehensive Plan
objective B: Support homeowners, renters,
landlords/property managers (of 5+ units),
institutions, and businesses to minimize
waste by maximizing composting, recycling,
reduction, and reuse.
+ Action 1: Expand composting options for multi-
family housing (5+ units) and businesses.
+ Action 2: Offer educational workshops and
resources to community members, focusing on
renters, to encourage more sustainable waste
practices.
Lead: Public Works
Funding Sources: Hennepin County Business
Recycling Grants, Hennepin County Multifamily
SCORE Funds
Partners: Hennepin County (Hennepin County Solid
Waste Management Plan, Hennepin County Zero
Waste Plan), Waste Wise
Supporting plans/policies/programs: Multifamily
Housing Made Easier Webinar
Strategy II: Increase climate-resilient,
sustainable, and affordable housing
development and property management
throughout the community.
objective A: utilize City tools to encourage
developers to incorporate sustainability,
affordability, and climate elements into
construction.
+ Action 1: Use the Sustainable Building
Policy to encourage developers to incorporate
sustainable design principles into new
construction.
+ Action 2: Implement the City’s Sustainable
Building Policy; for non-applicable development,
encourage the policy at the time of a permit
application.
Lead: Planning and Economic Development
Funding Sources: Hopkins Climate Solutions Fund,
Federal tax deduction for efficiency, Xcel New
Home Construction rebate
Partners: Xcel Energy, property owners and
managers, community members
Supporting plans/policies/programs: Sustainable
Building Policy
objective B: Maintain affordable housing and
climate-resilient property management for
existing properties and once new buildings are
operational.
+ Action 1: Reach out to property managers,
landlords, and tenants to promote the Hopkins
Climate Solutions Fund.
+ Action 2: Provide resources to renters to
increase access to energy efficiency programs
and incentives.
Lead: Planning and Economic Development; Public
Works: Engineering; Communications
Funding Sources: Hopkins Climate Solutions Fund,
utility rebates, state and federal tax incentives
and rebates
Partners: Xcel Energy, property owners and
managers, community members
Supporting plans/policies/programs: Sustainable
Building Policy
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Strategy III: Restore urban soil
health, sequester carbon, and expand
community food production.
objective A: Improve soil quality and sequester
carbon on public land.
+ Action 1: Partner with Minneapolis and other
cities to produce and/or purchase biochar to help
amend soil and sequester carbon.
+ Action 2: Continue to offer compost and mulch
to residents.
+ Action 3: Continue implementing the low
salt design checklist through the Sustainable
Building Ordinance; encourage existing
properties and non-applicable developments to
use the checklist.
+ Action 4: Incorporate soil quality practices into
street projects and planting projects
Lead: Public Works: Forestry, Parks, Engineering;
Planning and Development
Funding Sources: City funding, MPCA Chloride
Reduction Grants
Partners: Minneapolis, Hennepin County,
Metropolitan Council, Nine Mile Creek Watershed
District, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
Supporting plans/policies: Low Salt Design
Factsheet for Developers
objective B: Expand healthy community food
production.
+ Action 1: Convert underutilized park lands and
other rights-of-way to grow fruit (orchard trees,
raspberries, blueberries, etc.) and vegetables that
are accessible to community members.
+ Action 2: Continue to encourage community
members who don’t have their own yard access
to participate in City community gardens.
+ Action 3: Encourage and incentivize community
members to grow food in their own yards.
+ Action 4: Donate community food through the
ICA Food Shelf.
Lead: Parks and Recreation; Communications; Public
Works: Parks, Streets and Fleets
Funding Sources: Lawns to Legumes
Partners: Hennepin County Master Gardeners,
Hopkins Schools, ICA Food Shelf
Supporting plans/policies/Programs: Hopkins
Community Gardens
DRAFT
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resilience to Hazards
flood-resistant infrastructure complemented by natural stormwater management protects against
extreme weather. High-quality public services and resilient infrastructure keep taxes predictable and
stable. Cooling centers, and green spaces reduce heat risks, especially for vulnerable populations.
emergency preparedness programs and resilience hubs ensure community safety and rapid response
during disruptive weather events.
overview
Climate hazards such as extreme heat, heavy
rainfall, flooding, and severe weather are already
affecting Hopkins. These events are becoming
more frequent and intense due to climate change,
placing increasing stress on infrastructure and
vulnerable populations. While the entire community
is at risk, climate hazards do not affect everyone
equally. Older adults, people with disabilities,
households with low incomes, communities of
color, and immigrants often face greater risks
due to limited resources and access to services.
Systemic inequalities can compound these
challenges, leaving some residents more exposed
to pollution, urban heat islands, and poor-quality
infrastructure. By centering equity in climate
planning, communities can help reverse historically
underserved communities and create a more just,
inclusive City that improves quality of life for all.
2030 targets
+75% of residents are signed up to receive
emergency alerts
+All infrastructure projects in the CIP are
reviewed for resilience improvements
+Construction of a resilience hub
Strategy I: Build social cohesion and
capacity to respond to severe weather
events and power outages.
objective A: Support community resilience
through education, awareness, preparedness,
and response.
+ Action 1: Incorporate community climate art,
storytelling, and education into public events
and spaces.
+ Action 2: Identify new outlets (social media,
libraries, laundromats) and utilize effective
communication channels to reach more
community members during emergencies.
+ Action 3: Sign-up residents to receive
emergency weather alerts through Smart911.
+ Action 4: Encourage residents to participate
in the Community Emergency Response Team
training program —prioritizing urban heat island
areas of concern.
Lead: Communications; Administration; Planning
and Economic Development; Fire Department(?)
Funding Sources: City budget
Partners: Hennepin County, community members
Supporting plans/policies: Community Emergency
Response Team
“ Climate change often
feels like a conversation
reserved for the privileged,
centered on fighting for future
generations. the concept of
“resilience” can feel loaded,
especially when Black people
have a long history in this
country of fighting just to
survive, let alone thrive.
Brooke Roper, Hopkins Resident
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objective B: Create more spaces that offer
relief from extreme heat events.
+ Action 1: Increase the availability of and access
to public cooling centers.
+ Action 2: Complete construction of the
resilience hub at Oakes Park.
+ Action 3: Install canopies, awnings, and other
structures that provide shade in public areas
where trees are not a viable option—prioritize
urban heat island areas of concern.
+ Action 4: Retrofit existing buildings to serve the
needs of a resilience hub
Lead: Administration; Parks and Recreation; Public
Works: Parks
Funding Sources: City budget, state bonding, grants.
Partners: Hennepin County, Neighboring
communities
Supporting plans/policies: Heat Vulnerability Study
objective C: Ensure access to safe and
reliable back-up power supply during extreme
weather events.
+ Action 1: Install back-up generators that
can provide power to water pumps in case of
emergency.
+ Action 2: Identify opportunities to add
microgrids to critical City infrastructures,
prioritizing solar plus storage.
+ Action 3: Create a schedule to replace existing
diesel and gas generators with solar and storage,
where possible.
Lead: Public Works: Utilities, Facilities, Engineering
Funding Sources: Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency grant, solar and storage tax incentives
Partners: Xcel Energy,
Supporting plans/policies/programs: Heat
Vulnerability Study
Strategy II: Improve the resilience of
infrastructure, buildings, and facilities.
objective A: Integrate climate resilience into
the Capital Improvement Planning (CIP) process
to sustain function, enhance capacity, and
strengthen infrastructure in case of extreme
weather events.
+ Action 1: During the annual (CIP) review,
identify planned projects that could be
modified to reduce emissions and/or adapt to
climate hazards.
+ Action 2: Identify funding gaps for new projects
that would help strengthen the resilience of
future capital projects.
+ Action 3: Create a process to ensure all future
CIP planning processes consider the applicability
of climate resilience across all capital projects.
Lead: Finance; Public Works: Engineering
Funding Sources: City budget
Partners: Hennepin County
Supporting plans/policies/programs: Capital
Improvement Plan, Goals and Strategic Plan
DRAFT
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Create Your own Plan!6
The five-year work plan outlined in the previous section primarily focuses on what the City can
do to enable climate action across the community and pursue emissions reductions in its own
operations. The City effort is critical to the success of this plan, but it cannot be the only piece of
the puzzle– residents, businesses, and institutions will also need to take action and contribute
to the goals of this plan. This section highlights the high-impact actions that can be taken by
community members and includes a checklist for individuals to create their own five-year work
plan at home.
High-Impact Actions to reduce Emissions At Home
1� Reduce Car Use and Emissions
• Make fewer trips in combustion vehicles by
biking, walking, taking transit, carpooling, or
telecommuting.
• Consider a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or
all-electric vehicle for your next vehicle
purchase.
• Consider if it’s feasible to reduce the number
of vehicles your household owns.
• Renters: Encourage landlords and property
managers to install secure bike storage and/
or EV charging infrastructure.
Additional Benefits: The average annual cost
of owning a new vehicle in 2024 is more than
$12,000, and is among largest single household
expenses. Reducing driving will help alleviate
maintenance and fuel costs.
2� Home Energy Improvements
• Air seal and insulate your home.
• Electrify gas equipment by switching to
air-source (or ground-source) heat-pumps,
heat-pump water heaters, electric dryers,
and induction ranges.
• Participate in renewable electricity
through rooftop solar panels or community
solar gardens.
• Renters: Consider heat-pump window
ac units, participate in community solar
gardens, change out incandescent light
bulbs with LED; use an induction plate for
stovetop cooking; share resources with
landlords and property managers about how
they can improve the sustainability of their
property.
Additional Benefits: Implementing these actions
can help reduce energy costs and improve indoor
air quality and comfort. Look into time of use rates
and space-heating rates (for electric heating)
from Xcel Energy to further reduce costs.
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3� Minimize Waste
• Purchase fewer goods, especially single-use
items; reuse items before disposing of them.
• Donate goods that can be re-used through
buy-nothing groups, or local services like
Goodwill or Ridwell.
• Compost food scrap and other
kitchen waste.
• Recycle glass, aluminum, paper, and plastic,
per City rules.
• Renters: most of these actions are available
to renters. Currently, renters in multi-family
buildings can collect kitchen scraps and
drop them off at the Minnetonka-Hopkins
Recycling Center.
Additional Benefits: Reducing consumption can
help reduce unnecessary spending and lessen
the upstream emissions that result from the
extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, and
transportation of purchased products. Reducing
waste also helps lessen pollution from the
Hennepin County Energy Recovery Center (HERC)
and decrease the amount of space required to
maintain landfills.
4� Strengthen Resilience
• Landscape for climate resilience: plant native
species and reduce impervious surfaces
(e.g., asphalt and concrete) to manage
stormwater.
• Plant trees to provide more shade
and cooling.
• Utilize yard space to grow fruits and
vegetables.
• Install back-up power using solar and
battery storage or purchase a small
power bank that can be used for essential
appliances.
• Create a home emergency kit that includes
water, food, first aid materials, flashlights,
batteries, and important documents.
• Get to know your neighbors through daily
interactions or structured events.
• Renters: Participate in community
gardens, grow food in smaller containers,
and purchase a small power bank. Where
renters don’t have the ability or authority
to implement actions, encourage landlords
and property managers to implement
these actions.
This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all
actions that can be taken at home, but rather an
overview of some of the highest-impact actions
individuals can take. For more information about
what you can do to support emissions reduction
efforts and enhance resilience check out resources
like Project Drawdown, the Climate Action
Handbook from the Director of the University
of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership,
Dr. Heidi Roop, among other resources. Use the
checklist on the following pages to create your
own action plan in consideration of your situation
and what you hope to accomplish in the next
five years. City staff and resources are available
to assist community members in their efforts to
implement climate action.
DRAFT
How will you take action?
Create your climate action plan!
While addressing climate change requires system-level changes, there are many actions that start at
home. We can reduce emissions by changing travel behavior and switching to cleaner vehicles.
We can reduce indoor air pollution and increase efficiency by electrifying gas appliances with
efficient, electric alternatives. Planting native plants and pollinator-friendly gardens can restore
ecosystems, support biodiversity, and help combat urban heat island effect.
To be successful, we need the whole community involved. We know these changes won’t happen
overnight and we encourage you to think about what you can do over the next five years to get
started. Use the space below to create your own five-year climate action plan�
HoPKins ClimaTe aCTion anD ResilienCe Plan
For more resources & info, visit our Hopkins Sustainability Webpage
(www.hopkinsmn.com/501/Sustainability)
Short term action
(0-5 years)When will you do this action?How will you do this action?
scan scan here for here for more!more!
flip the page to craft flip the page to craft your climate story!your climate story!
develop your climate story!
Climate change impacts all of us—often in ways we experience right in our own backyards. Each of us has
a unique climate story, shaped by our experiences, concerns, and hopes for the future. The City of Hopkins
invites you to reflect on your own climate journey with this prompt:
We encourage you to use the space below to express your thoughts and explore your climate story,
including your vision for a Hopkins that rises to these challenges and works toward a healthier, more
equitable future for all.
How to use your story
Sharing our climate stories strengthens personal confidence, fosters community connections, and
builds public support for solutions, ultimately enhancing community resilience. As you reflect on your
experiences and your vision for a more resilient Hopkins, we encourage you to share your story with a
friend, neighbor, or even an elected official.
Three Hopkins community members, guided by Jothsna Harris of Change Narrative, have shared their own
climate stories. You can read excerpts from their stories throughout the plan and the full stories can
be found on the City’s Sustainability page�
think about why addressing climate change is important to you.
What excites or inspires you?