Minnesota Twins Continue Setting Sustainability Standard with 35 'Gold Medals' and 2026 'Water Stewardship' Award
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Twins have been named a 2026 GOAL (Green Operations & Advanced Leadership) Sustainability Leader, earning 35 GOAL Medals and the GOAL Water Stewardship Award. A globally recognized pioneer in sustainable practices, these honors showcase the Twins’ commitment to environmental responsibility at Target Field and beyond.
The organization’s 35 GOAL Medals top last year’s total of 34 and are up six from the 29 earned in 2024. The Twins were recognized for year-over-year excellence in all 10 GOAL Medal categories, receiving 14 gold, eight silver and 13 bronze medals. Highlights of the Twins’ 2026 GOAL awards:
The prestigious Water Stewardship Award for excellence across GOAL’s Water Efficiency & Quality objectives.
Gold medals for achievements in Transportation, Water, Waste, Wellness, Inclusion, Community, Strategy, Engagement and Partnerships; silver in Nutrition.
A new gold medal for “Activate Partnerships to Support Community Impact Initiatives,” recognizing the Twins’ “Partnerships with Purpose” platform — a three-pillar partnership framework based on shared values and vision, mutual business impact and civic pride. Examples include Twins’ partnerships with GF (home of the Uponor brand), Thrivent and UnitedHealthcare.
A new gold medal for “Off-site: Support Biodiversity,” celebrating a multi-year, multi-site effort to protect Minnesota’s lakes and rivers led collaboratively by the Twins, GF and Great River Greening.
Improved performance from bronze to silver for “Engage Digital Followers.”
New bronze medals for “Increase Outdoor Potable Water Efficiency,” “Incorporate Plant-based Food Options” and “Activate Partnerships to Engage Visitors.”
Honored by GOAL for actions that nurture the planet and uplift the community — from water conservation and waste diversion to fan engagement and healthier food options — the Twins, their partners and fans are turning shared values into measurable impact. For more on these industry-leading efforts, please visit twins.com/sustainability.
“Lasting change happens when we come together — our staff, our partners and our fans — to amplify and inspire our collective strengths,” said Nancy O’Brien, Twins Senior Vice President, Community Engagement. “We’re proud to be honored by GOAL, and we know there’s more work ahead. Sustainability must be both the journey and the destination for a future in which everyone thrives.”
"The GOAL Medals define sustainability and impact-focused leadership in sports and live entertainment," said Kristen Fulmer, Executive Director of GOAL. "These Awards recognize organizations that are turning ambition into measurable action — using data, collaboration, and innovation to reduce environmental impact while strengthening their communities and businesses. Every Medal tells a story of progress, and together these venues are proving that sustainability is no longer a competitive advantage — it's becoming the standard for our industry."
GOAL guides many of the world’s leading sports and entertainment organizations on a journey of social impact, climate action and responsible change. The Twins became a member in 2023 to accelerate the club’s longstanding and industry-leading sustainability and community impact efforts.
2026 GOAL Medals
The 2026 GOAL Medals were handed out Tuesday night in New York, during the third annual GOAL Invitational & Medals Ceremony. A full list of the Twins’ 35 GOAL Medals for 2026 follows.
Gold (14): Promote Alternative Transportation • Reuse Nonpotable Water • Measure & Report Waste Data • Increase Waste Diversion by Recycling • Increase Waste Diversion by Composting • Prioritize Sanitation & Green Cleaning • Create an Inclusive Workplace • Prioritize Diverse Suppliers in Procurement • Off-site: Support Biodiversity • Engage Community & Civic Groups • Implement ESG-Driven Purchasing Policy • Engage On-Site Visitors • Engage Partners for Facility Improvements, Upgrades & Solutions • Activate Partnerships to Support Community Impact Initiatives
Silver (8): Support & Prioritize EVs • Measure & Report Potable Water Use • Properly Dispose of Hard-to-Recycle & Hazardous Materials • Promote Health & Wellness for Guests • Provide Accessible Water for Hydration • Equip Staff with Sustainability Training • Set Sustainability Strategy & Goals • Engage Digital Followers
Bronze (13): Measure & Report Greenhouse Gas Emissions Sources • Prioritize Renewable Energy • Increase Outdoor Potable Water Efficiency • Develop & Deploy Waste Management Plan • Create a Reuse Program or Activation • Promote Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) & Ventilation • Promote Health & Wellness for Employees • Incorporate Plant-based Food Options • Foster a Diverse Workforce • Plan Crisis Response for Natural Disasters & Extreme Weather • Engage On-site Sustainability Committee • Transparently Report Progress on Strategy • Activate Partnerships to Engage Visitors
Minnesota Twins Sustainability Partners
The Minnesota Twins are proud to partner with Delaware North, GF, Ecolab, Marsden Services, Pentair, Republic Services and Rock and Wrap it Up! Inc. for sustainability efforts at Target Field.
About the Minnesota Twins
At the Minnesota Twins, we are driven by a singular purpose — to elevate the game both on and off the field. With an unwavering commitment to delivering championships and making a positive impact, our innovative and talented team is dedicated to finding new ways to win, uplift and unite. We invite you to learn more at twins.com.
About GOAL (Green Operations & Advanced Leadership)
GOAL is a pioneering sustainability-driven membership program and support network of over 55 global members from sports, entertainment, and live event venues, including stadiums, arenas, theaters, and convention centers. The GOAL Medals Awards program is the first industry-wide benchmarking and recognition tool to validate incremental sustainability efforts across 10 ESG topics. GOAL utilizes Salesforce Net Zero Cloud for carbon accounting and customized industry comparisons, which informs action-planning, goal-setting, and corporate partnership support, including connections to vetted vendors. By fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and offering tailored support, GOAL empowers organizations to enhance their sustainability efforts, no matter where they are in their journey. The Founding Partners of GOAL are Oak View Group, the Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena, Fenway Sports Group, and green building trailblazer Jason F. McLennan, founder of McLennan Design.