Health Department reports progress, budget constraints and new projects in Climate Legacy Initiative update

Patrick Hanlon, deputy commissioner in the Minneapolis Health Department, presented a quarter-three update on the Climate Legacy Initiative to the Climate and Infrastructure Committee on Oct. 16, outlining program results, funding status and planned activities.

Hanlon said the Climate Legacy Initiative (CLI), drawn from the Climate Equity Plan adopted in July 2023, aims to reduce greenhouse gases while centering investments in environmental justice communities. He told the committee that in 2024 the initiative avoided an estimated 115,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent against a 2024 target of 155,000 metric tons, describing that as being at "74% of our target." He said the program has delivered more than 1,700 projects to date and that roughly 52to54% of CLI funding has gone to designated distressed areas, including the North Side and South Side green zones and income-qualified properties.

Hanlon reviewed program spending and priorities. Weatherization and deep greenhouse-gas reductions account for roughly 49% of CLI investments, including residential weatherization, small-business assistance and…