Minnesota’s greenhouse gas emissions rebounded after the pandemic, but remain below 2019 levels

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Minnesota’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions dropped by 14% between 2005 and 2022, according to a biennial report from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Minnesota Department of Commerce which tracks the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. 
The COVID-19 pandemic changed how Minnesotans lived and worked in 2020 and 2021, reducing emissions. As Minnesotans returned to pre-pandemic routines, emissions that dropped steeply in 2020 rebounded, reflecting a national trend. In Minnesota, the state saw a 6.4% increase in emissions between the end of 2020 and the end of 2022. Despite the rebound, emissions from sectors like transportation, electricity generation, and agriculture remain below 2019 levels. 

“Investments Minnesota has made over the last three years will get us back on track to meet our greenhouse gas reduction goals,” said MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler. “We’re proud to be a national leader on climate action while creating jobs and cleaning up our air and water across the state.”

The transportation sector remains Minnesota’s largest source of GHGs, accounting for about 29% of the state’s emissions. Emissions from planes and light-duty trucks (including pickup trucks, minivans, and SUVs) increased after the height of the pandemic in 2020 but remain below pre-pandemic levels. In contrast, emissions from heavy-duty trucks (including delivery vans, large commercial vehicles, and tractor-trailers) are now higher than they were in 2019.
 
The Minnesota Department of Transportation is implementing its Carbon Reduction Strategy (CRS). This strategy has identified three priority focus areas to help reduce GHG emissions; increase use of electric vehicles on Minnesota roads, provide and improve more travel options such as bike/walking paths and support low-carbon construction projects.
“Minnesota’s CRS is a framework to help move Minnesota toward its mission to reduce carbon emissions and continue to provide safe, reliable and accessible transportation options for our residents,” said MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. “By reducing GHS emissions, we are playing an important part in creating a cleaner, healthier environment for all and it takes strong partnerships to accomplish this goal.”
Agriculture is Minnesota’s second-largest source of emissions, accounting for about 25% of the state’s GHGs. While net emissions from Minnesota agriculture have not changed significantly since 2005, improved efficiency and sustainable agriculture practices have kept emissions from rising as Minnesota farms produce more food, biofuel, and fiber.
The largest decline in emissions came from electricity generation, which accounts for 20% of Minnesota’s GHGs. Declines in this sector are a result of the transition from coal toward renewable energy, a trend that is continuing with investments in clean energy sources such as wind and solar. In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature adopted a new Clean Electricity Standard that requires electric utilities to provide 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040.

“Minnesota has been, and will continue to be, a national leader on climate action because of the benefits for Minnesota businesses, consumers and communities,” said Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold. “Each year, we are making progress to deliver reliable, cleaner, more affordable, homegrown energy for Minnesotans, making our homes and businesses more energy efficient, and investing in innovations, such as energy storage systems.”
For the first time, the state’s greenhouse gas emissions inventory has separated the land use, land use change, and forestry sector from agriculture. This sector is a carbon sink (i.e., they absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than they release), resulting in net negative emissions of 11.6 million metric tons of CO2-e in 2022, offsetting 8.4% of all other emissions in the state. The rate of net sequestration has increased by about 20% since 2005, a trend largely driven by the growth and expansion of Minnesota’s forests.

In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature funded more than 40 climate initiatives, totaling over $1 billion of investment. Through these investments, Minnesota has enacted dozens of new programs including EV rebates, funding for farmers, and solar on schools. The outcomes of these investments are not reflected in this inventory, but their impacts will be seen in future reports.
Over the last two years, Minnesota’s Climate Action Framework laid the foundation for transformative action on climate change, but the state has much more work to do to meet our climate goals. Minnesota is updating the framework in 2025 to reflect new opportunities from climate investments, with a stronger focus on collaboration with local governments and communities. For more information, visit mn.gov/framework.

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