Green Cities Accord is excited to announce a new partnership with the Minnesota Wild to offset the carbon footprint of the team’s air travel throughout the hockey season. Through this partnership, the Minnesota Wild will purchase Carbon+ Credits from Green Cities Accord, derived from trees planted across Saint Paul, Minneapolis, and surrounding areas. Participation in this program will offset 1,500 tons of carbon dioxide annually for the next five years and will help grow the urban tree canopy across the Twin Cities.
In addition to offsetting team travel, Saint Paul Arena Company, the Minnesota Wild’s facility management arm, has created a Trees for Travel program for event organizers hosting events at Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul RiverCentre, and Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Through their partnership with Green Cities Accord, these facilities are now able to offer the ability for event organizers to track carbon emissions from attendee travel to and from these venues, and purchase Green Cities Accord’s Carbon+ Credits to offset those emissions, resulting in a more sustainable event.
“Increasing investments in urban tree canopy infrastructure is an effective and cost-efficient strategy to mitigate the worst effects of climate change on urban communities. Through collaborative efforts like this one with the Minnesota Wild and Saint Paul Arena Company, we are expanding funding for urban trees, helping to improve the livability of our cities,” said Michaela Neu of Green Cities Accord.
“We are excited to be working with Green Cities Accord on these important efforts,” said Minnesota Wild SVP of Facilities Jim Ibister. “Staying local has always been an important factor when choosing our sustainability partners. We are very proud to be a part of the great work Green Cities Accord is doing to enhance the lives of people by protecting and growing the urban tree canopy.”
About Xcel Energy Center and Saint Paul RiverCentre:
Xcel Energy Center and Saint Paul RiverCentre are dedicated to sustainable practices throughout the campus. They led the way as the first and only complex in the world to be certified by LEED, Green Globes, and Events Industry Council’s Sustainable Event Standards. Xcel Energy Center is now honored to be recognized as leaders in sustainability including recently being awarded 21 medals for the 2024 GOAL Awards for sustainability leadership. Saint Paul RiverCentre is home to countless public and private events each year, and clients will have the opportunity to offset their carbon usage at each event.
