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Framework 3: Climate narrative <br />Often, creativity in communities leads to actions that may produce results that go above and beyond <br />any single GreenStep best practice action or may exemplify best practice actions in ways that other <br />communities can gain inspiration from. Under this framework, communities would be able to write a <br />narrative about a project they're doing to take <br />climate action. <br />However, this niche for recognition is already <br />filled by other initiatives. For example, the <br />League of Minnesota Cities' (LMC) <br />Sustainable City Award is eligible only for <br />GreenStep Cities (Figure 6). It identifies <br />unique or inspiring implementation of any of <br />the 29 best practices. The award comes with <br />special recognition and a $1,000 cash prize. <br />Unique projects are also more likely to gain <br />recognition through media attention, making <br />program recognition redundant. While sharing <br />stories is highly recommended to program <br />participants, this framework conflicts with our <br />goal of a program that allows for recertification; <br />it is unfair to set a standard for "above and <br />beyond" with each certification period. <br />Framework 4: Climate planning actions <br />Figure 6: The 2022 Sustainable City Award from the League <br />of Minnesota Cities was awarded to the City of Duluth for <br />their Climate Action Work Plan. <br />From left to right: -MC Executive Director, David Unmacht, AmeriCorps VISTA <br />Duluth Energyand Sustainability Assistant, Julia Forberg, Duluth Mayor, Emily <br />Larson, Duluth Sustainability Officer, Mindy Granley, and -MC Board of <br />Directors President, Ron Johnson. Photo Credit: League of Minnesota Cities <br />We collected a handful of actions that were focused specifically on addressing climate change. Some of <br />these actions, such as developing a climate action plan, were pulled from existing GreenStep actions; <br />other actions, such as declaring a climate emergency, were new, in coordination with current trends of <br />local Minnesota governments. <br />While the intention of this framework was to increase accessibility to communities with less resources <br />while still emphasizing climate action, feedback indicated that this framework was too heavy on <br />planning and not as much "doing." There was also concern that this framework focuses too much on <br />mitigation rather than preparation, adaptation, or economic benefits, meaning that it would be harder <br />to secure political support in some communities. <br />Gold Leaf Program Proposal I www.MNGreenStep.org <br />Page 61 of 185 <br />