Minneapolis one of 7 cities worldwide to receive CO2 sequestering funding

Bloomberg Philanthropies announced this week that Minneapolis will be one of seven cities worldwide to receive support for projects that officials say will fight climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide emissions.

The mayor’s office says the seven projects, for which Bloomberg Philosophies will provide financial and infrastructural assistance, are expected to sequester a combined 10,000 tons of CO2 each year, or the equivalent of taking 6,250 cars off the road.

The Biochar technology turns wood waste from things like homes and parks into a carbon-capturing substance that residents can place in their yards and gardens.

“To meet our Minneapolis climate goals, we must continue these kinds of creative collaborations and projects that protect our environment and our residents,” said Mayor Jacob Frey.

Read more about the Biochar project at this link.

Read Minneapolis’ Climate Action Plan here, and track Minneapolis’ carbon-neutrality progress at its Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance page.

Minneapolis has already partnered with local entities in over 20 Biochar demonstrations dating back to 2013.

“Projects with our partners have shown how Biochar boosts urban farming, builds green stormwater infrastructure, and strengthens our urban forests,” said Jim Doten, carbon sequestration program manager.

The mayor’s office says Minneapolis worked with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in 2014 to provide Biochar and compost to at-risk Minneapolis communities, and it plans to keep disadvantaged communities involved in future projects.

“This Biochar project is one step in how we will create access for residents to use environmentally friendly resources and becoming a more climate resilient city. I look forward to ensuring that communities of color are included in this project moving forward,” City Council President Andrea Jenkins said.

The other six cities are Darmstadt, Germany; Helsingborg, Sweden; Sandnes, Norway; Helsinki, Finland; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Lincoln, Nebraska.