On February 11, 2026, Governor Tim Walz and his Climate Change Subcabinet launched the updated Minnesota Climate Action Framework. Fresh Energy staff have been deeply involved providing feedback for this update, with staff representation in the transportation, clean electricity and buildings, and clean economy working groups — in addition to my involvement with the on the Governor’s Advisory Council on Climate Change. The 2026 Climate Action Framework (CAF) consists of 111 pages that describe updated action steps needed to take on the climate crisis and reduce emissions.
I was proud to serve as one of 15 Minnesotans appointed by Governor Tim Walz to his Advisory Council on Climate Change, a citizens board that worked with the Climate Change Subcabinet to identify strategies to meet greenhouse gas reduction goals and prepare Minnesota for the impacts of climate change that cannot be avoided.
The original Climate Action Framework, published in 2022, laid the foundation for more than 40 climate laws and programs and over $1 billion in state climate funding that the Minnesota Legislature passed into law in 2023. The 2026 CAF updates our state’s plans to decrease climate pollution and prepare communities for climate change and focuses on actions that create jobs, lower costs, reduce pollution, and make us safer. The new plan brings a stronger focus on economic benefits and on local collaboration.
At a press conference on February 11, 2026, in Saint Paul, leaders today highlighted six “Big Things Now” that are critical to accelerating Minnesota’s path to address climate change. The six immediate actions Minnesota must take to address climate change are:
- Keep pushing on 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040
- Accelerate state policy on transportation sector emissions
- Forge Minnesota’s resilient path with sustained funding for planning and implementation
- Accelerate clean heat in buildings and industry
- Expand efforts to reduce and offset agricultural emissions, restore peatlands, and sustainably manage forests
- Develop and implement a financing strategy for equitable clean energy transition.
To help create this updated plan, Minnesota modeled ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction policies and actions and studied which sectors need more focused attention and what actions could significantly impact progress toward carbon neutrality. The more ambitious Potential Policies Pathway scenario will accomplish the most benefits, led by $1.17 – $2.28 billion in total health benefits for Minnesotans.
The 2026 MN CAF is laid out with seven actionable goals: Clean transportation, Climate-smart natural and working lands, Resilient communities, Clean energy, Healthy lives and communities, Clean economy, and Efficient and resilient buildings
Please read the full 2026 CAF here.
Fresh Energy is committed to ensuring this framework gets implemented and will be working hard to advocate for policy mechanisms to be put in place to help Minnesota achieve what is included in the plan. If you’d like to learn more or request a presentation about the Climate Action Framework, please contact me at hamilton@fresh-energy.org.