It is important that environmental documents required by the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) include usable information about potential climate effects to support Minnesotans in their efforts to lessen the impacts of climate change and adapt to changes already occurring.
Quantifying a proposed project's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can help decision makers identify opportunities to:
- Reduce GHG emissions
- Improve environmental outcomes
- Make more informed decisions about climate adaptations
After a 9-month pilot, the Environmental Quality Board chair approved the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) form. This webpage is dedicated to providing guidance, best management practices, and resources for completing climate assessments on the approved EAW form.
Climate Guidance:
More details about the Pilot Program and feedback received are included in the October 2022 memo below.
2022 EAW Form Update
In December 2022, the EAW form was updated to include a question on greenhouse gas emissions/carbon footprint (Question 18) and a question on considerations for climate adaptation and resilience (Question 7) of proposed projects.
It is important that environmental documents required by MEPA include usable information about potential climate effects. Estimating a proposed project's GHG emissions can help decision makers identify opportunities to reduce emissions, improve outcomes, and consider adaptation or resiliency measures.
All Responsible Governmental Units (RGUs) are required to use the December 2022 EAW form for projects that begin after the approval date of December 14, 2022.
Guidance for including climate assessments in the EAW form can be found in this guidance document which discusses steps to assemble a carbon footprint, assess mitigation, identify adaptation and more.
Calculator Tool
EQB seeks to make climate assessment consistent, effective, and efficient with a Minnesota-specific tool that provides timely and accurate support. In response to RGU concerns, EQB has commissioned a climate calculator tool to assist with answering the new climate questions. Once developed, it will be available for all Minnesota businesses and communities to use for planning and for identifying opportunities for climate-smart design, development, and innovation.
EQB has contracted with the company ICF for scoping, design, and construction of the tool. This process includes the creation of an advisory team of technical experts to assist ICF in assessing the available data and existing methodologies for emissions calculations across a wide array of project types. For more information on the calculator, please see our FAQ below.
The collaboration with ICF began in March 2024. Over the summer of 2024, ICF worked with a group of technical advisors from multiple state agencies and the University of Minnesota to define the methodology and scope of the calculator. That work is detailed in the methodology memo.
The EQB and ICF are now building the tool according to that memo, as well as engaging potential calculator users to provide feedback in the early build stages.
Beginning in February 2025, EQB anticipates the calculator will be ready for testing by those interested in providing feedback facilitate further improvements. ICF will also be compiling a manual on how to use the tool and EQB will provide guidance on when and how to use the tool to answer the EAW question 18.
​Questions?
Please contact us at 651-757-2873.