Policy 4: Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation, and Resilience Policy

The effects of climate change on natural waters, water infrastructure, and water service providers are proactively identified, assessed, mitigated, and adapted to enhance community and environmental resiliency.

Climate change poses significant risks to the water the region relies on for public and ecosystem health and economic productivity. Various acute and chronic changes to weather patterns including extreme storm events, drought, flooding, warming temperatures, extended growing seasons, and others impact the ability of water service providers, like the regional wastewater utility and community water suppliers, to provide their essential services to the region. Climate impacts can threaten the reliability of water infrastructure and service delivery, and the predictability of the regulatory environment, resulting in increased costs for water utilities and those they serve. Other public water service providers, businesses and industries with water appropriation permits, and individuals with private water supplies and wastewater treatment infrastructure may also be impacted.

Likewise, climate change impacts natural waters and water sources that put ecosystem and public health and associated societal and economic benefits at risk. To ensure the health and abundance of the region’s waters, as well as the robustness of water services, the region must proactively address the current risks and impacts of climate change and plan for known and unknown impacts in the future. This means that the factors that drive climate change like greenhouse gas emissions are mitigated, and that the region can adapt to new and evolving conditions. Doing so helps to limit negative outcomes and increases the resiliency of communities and the water and water services we all rely on.

Desired Outcomes:

  • Actions are taken locally and regionally to lessen greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to changing climate conditions, and equitably address climate impacts across all water planning and management sectors.
  • The region’s water service providers and managers are prepared for and able to adapt to climate impacts to water sources and water infrastructure.
  • The tools and resources needed to plan for and respond to climate impacts across water sectors to develop and enhance the region’s resilience to current and future climate challenges are developed and in place.
  • Met Council and local actions align with the Minnesota Climate Action Framework.
  • Climate risks and their potential to impact the benefits of clean and plentiful water and water services are assessed across water sectors, in the built and natural environment.
  • State and regional climate objectives are integrated into wastewater and water supply operations and water and watershed planning, across local and regional scales.

Actions

Actions are grouped under the categories of Partner, Plan, and Provide to better tell the story of how policy produces results.

Partner

  1. Collaboratively partner with water planning, and water management organizations to address the effects of climate change on water, water utilities, and water services.
  2. Partner with and support academic institutions and other organizations to conduct research to generate metro area-specific climate change information, identify potential risks and benefits, new technologies and approaches to address challenges, and better understand future climate scenarios based on current science and models.
  3. Support the research and development of new technologies or other innovative approaches to reduce emissions throughout water utility operations.

Plan

  1. Assess climate vulnerabilities and risks within regional wastewater facilities and operations to prepare for and adapt to current and future climate impacts.
  2. Develop guidelines that inform the design and placement of regional wastewater infrastructure based on the latest scientific and engineering knowledge to address climate change risks and maximize longevity.
  3. Support low-impact design, renewable options for wastewater and drinking water, and the integration of nature-based solutions into regional development.
  4. Work with state agencies and local governments to prepare for evolving climate conditions, droughts, floods, and extreme weather events, through the Minnesota Drought Task Force, the Minnesota State Drought Plan, and other coordination activities.
  5. Assess the risks to water services and benefits from climate change, and develop mitigation and adaptation plans and planning guidance for the region.

Provide

  1. Manage and renovate facilities and land holdings to reduce impervious surfaces, integrate green infrastructure and nature-based solutions within our stormwater management systems, install native plantings where possible, and be a regional leader in climate-focused land management.
  2. Assess vulnerabilities, risks, and climate preparedness across the natural environment, built water environment, and water utilities to identify challenges, gaps, and opportunities to ensure the present and future water needs of the region are met.
  3. Develop and share tools, information, guidance, and educational materials around climate mitigation, adaptation, and community resilience for the local and regional audiences.

Next:

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