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Climate Action Plan
A climate action plan is a guide that helps the county respond to the impacts of climate change. It looks at how the weather and environment are changing now and will change in the future, and it offers clear steps to reduce emissions and prepare for those changes.
- This is a thoughtful, data-driven process to enhance the county’s approach to supporting resilient environmental, economic, and social systems in the face of a changing climate
- Washington County’s plan will include actions the county government can take, as well as steps the whole community can take.
| Phase | Define Priorities (June 2025 - October 2025) | Goal Setting (November 2025 - January 2026) | Develop Strategies (February 2026 - June 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Work | Review baseline data and existing conditions | Build and review technical emissions reduction scenarios | Develop climate action strategies and implementation plan |
| Driving Question(s) | What are our priority topic areas to address in the plan? | What is our goal for reducing both community and county operations emissions? | What are our short- to long-term priorities? How will we address these priorities through county operations as well as community-wide initiatives? |
Sign up for updates
Submit your email to receive periodic updates on the development of Washington County’s Climate Action Plan. Note: Once you sign up, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription. You must confirm your subscription before you can receive any further messages.
Take the survey
The survey is now closed. Thank you to those who participated and shared their insights on climate priorities.
Community Advisory Group
The Community Advisory Group (CAG) is composed of local government partners, community organizations, and individual community members to provide a wide range of perspectives during the development of the Climate Action Plan. This group will be involved at key stages throughout the planning process and will shape the plan’s priorities and recommendations.
Thank you to those who indicated interest in joining the CAG. Community participants were selected in August 2025 following an application review and evaluation period.
Connect with us at community events
Washington County staff joined several community events between July and September 2025 to discuss climate priorities with community members. Thank you for stopping by.
| Event | Location and Address | Date and Time |
|---|---|---|
Washington County Ice Cream Social | Washington County Historic Courthouse | Thursday, July 17 |
| Washington County Fair | Washington County Fairgrounds 12300 40th Street North, Stillwater, MN 55082 | Wednesday, July 30 - Friday, August 1 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
Pioneer Day | Pioneer Park | Saturday, August 9 |
Oakdale Touch A Truck | Oakdale City Hall | Thursday, August 21 |
Taco Daze | Scandia Community Center | Saturday, September 6 |
Washington County Bluegrass Festival | Lake Elmo Park Reserve | Saturday, September 6 |
One Woodbury Festival | Ojibway Park | Saturday, September 27 |
Project staff also attended Woodbury Days at the local government partner and non-profit tent sponsored by the city.
- What is climate change?
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Climate change refers to the long-term shift of the earth’s weather patterns caused by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which raise the earth’s surface temperature. GHG emissions may be the result of natural processes or human activity, but human activity has significantly increased the pace of emissions and climate change over the past several decades.
Climate change will impact Washington County over the next century by increasing the average temperature, increasing the frequency of severe weather events, changing precipitation patterns, and numerous other effects that will impact community members and businesses.
- What is a Climate Action Plan?
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A Climate Action Plan seeks to understand how the county currently contributes to climate change, as well as identify strategies to reduce future emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change on both community members and county facilities. The Climate Action Plan will examine Washington County operations while also identifying ways the county can promote sustainable practices throughout the community and work with partners to advocate for sustainable policies at the city, state, and federal levels.
- Why is the county doing a Climate Action Plan?
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Washington County is committed to advancing sustainability and climate action across the county in a way that is both transformative and practical. In 2024, the county adopted a Countywide Strategic Plan to guide decision-making towards a shared mission, vision and values.
A Climate Action Plan (CAP) was one recommended next step for the county in achieving its sustainability goals through a thoughtful, data-driven approach that enhances the county’s environmental, economic, and social systems.
- What is the county's role in climate action?
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Washington County can take a direct role in some aspects of emissions reduction and climate resilience, but it has very little control over other aspects. For instance, the county can reduce emissions from county-owned buildings and purchase electric fleet vehicles. The county cannot directly influence the energy use or transportation choices of county residents in their own homes. However, it can take a role in promoting programs that encourage sustainability, provide resources to local communities, and advocate for changes at the city, state, and federal levels.
The Climate Action Plan will define the county’s role for each strategy: Lead, Partner, or Advocate.
- What will the plan include?
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The plan will include:
- A review of climate data and future projections to identify the potential impact of climate change on Washington County;
- A vulnerability assessment to understand which areas of the county and which populations are most susceptible to the impacts of climate change;
- A greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory to understand how economic sectors and specific activities are contributing to climate change;
- Setting short-and long-term goals to reduce GHG emissions and identifying strategies to meet those goals;
- Developing adaptation methods to mitigate the impacts of changing weather patterns;
- Developing final plan recommendations, including a work plan for implementation and a set of performance measures to help track progress.
- How will the county use the plan?
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The Climate Action Plan will identify a series of goals related to emissions reduction and climate mitigation and identify measures that the county can use to track its progress on meeting those goals. These goals and recommendations will connect with many ongoing county initiatives and programs, as well as identify the county’s role in a more comprehensive set of recommendations to combat climate change at the community level. The implementation work plan will identify specific action items as well as funding and staffing needs to help the county meet its goals.
- How can I get involved?
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The project webpage will be the primary source for Climate Action Plan information, including ways you can get involved. We will be collecting public input via online surveys, attending community events to talk with community members, and engaging with a Community Advisory Group and the County Board. You can also sign up for project updates, and we always welcome comments, ideas, and feedback via email. Learn more about how to get involved above under “Get Involved."