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Context Preparing for its 2020 Strategic Plan, the GreenStep Cities Steering Committee asked participants what they needed from GreenStep and its partners in order to continue reaching their sustainability and quality -of -life goals. One emergent need is for climate response through a more concentrated focus on mitigation, adaptation, resilience, and community education. To satisfy this need and continue to challenge, assist, and recognize communities, the GreenStep program must expand to provide the tools, resources, support, and motivation for communities interested in addressing climate change. GreenStep applied for a Minnesota GreenCorps member to help develop a program to meet these burgeoning needs. The GreenCorps member assisted in program development from September 2021 to August 2022. One primary goal of creating GreenStep after the Next Generation Energy Act was to help local governments reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, to make the program more accessible to all communities, the focus of GreenStep's language shifted from climate change to sustainability and quality -of -life. Public support has risen for the climate change movement in recent years. To reflect this change of attitude, GreenStep has the opportunity to build into its program a tool of support and recognition for communities addressing climate change. At the time of this proposal, the state has released its Climate Action Framework, an initiative under Executive Order 19-37, to provide guidance on how the state can meet its Next Generation Energy Act goals and enhance the climate resilience of Minnesota's natural resources, working lands, and communities. While some actions listed in the framework are specific to state abilities, many can be achieved by supporting local governments in climate action (see Appendix B). GreenStep is a trusted program with existing program participants, partnerships, and connections, which provides a pathway and the resource for the state to work with local governments in tandem toward climate action. It is important to work specifically with cities because approximately 75%of all carbon emissions come from cities (Greenhouse Gas Protocol, 2021). This puts local governments in a prime position to take action toward reducing those emissions and increasing climate resilience. Process Project planning began in September 2021. Research topics included global and local O� climate change causes and effects, successful climate action programs on both national and international levels, Minnesota community interests and values, and more. Stakeholders were first engaged in December 2021. Gold Leaf Program Proposal I www.MNGreenStep.org Page 55 of 185