119 cities get an ‘A’ for climate action

A total of 119 cities from across the globe have been named as leaders in climate action and transparency by CDP, a non-profit which runs an environmental disclosure system.

These include Barcelona (Spain), Denver (USA), Mexico City (Mexico), Cape Town (South Africa), Quezon City (the Philippines), and Canberra (Australia).

The latest ‘A List’ shows that climate action is becoming mainstream in cities around the world, according to CDP.

To score an A, a city must disclose publicly through CDP-ICLEI Track, have a city-wide emissions inventory and have published a climate action plan.

This year, which is the sixth annual Cities A List published by CDP, saw 939 cities disclosing their climate action, with 13 percent receiving an ‘A’.

The scoring criteria for emissions reduction targets were strengthened to further align with science-based climate targets. An A List city must also complete a climate risk and vulnerability assessment and have a climate adaptation plan.

Trends

According to CDP, the cities show that action to tackle climate change is “becoming mainstream for many of the world’s urban areas”, including in the Global South, where several cities retained their ‘A’ and cities such as Jakarta (Indonesia), Bogotá (Colombia) and Can Tho (Vietnam) appeared on the list for the first time.

Maia Kutner, CDP Director of Cities, States and Regions, said: “This is no time for complacency, though. Cities not reporting environmental data must step up their transparency, while many more need to accelerate their efforts to reach net zero and create a more sustainable future for all, especially the most vulnerable.”

Europe is the region with the largest share of cities – 48 – on the 2023 A List, followed by North America (42), Latin America (11), Asia (8), Oceania (6), the Middle East (3) and Africa (1).

A key trend highlighted by CDP is the rising use of renewable energy amongst A List cities, with some reporting that renewable energy makes up the vast majority of their energy consumption – such as San Francisco (84 percent), Quito (86 percent) and Trondheim (91 percent).

Recent CDP data found that 80 percent of cities are facing climate hazards such as heatwaves and floods, and 70 percent expect those hazards to become more intense.

Measures

CDP analysis also shows that A List cities report taking four times as many mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A List cities.

Highlighted examples include Guadalajara’s 38 electric buses that are part of the first completely electric route of transport units in Mexico. Cape Town is developing small, city-owned renewable-energy generation installations at its own buildings and facilities. Paris is mobilising citizens, with nearly 27,000 Climate Volunteers who participate in information meetings and training sessions. Denver introduced a Single-Use Accessory Restriction Ordinance to drastically reduce the amount of condiments, plastic silverware and straws used.

Last year, over 1,000 cities were scored by CDP and 122 made the A-list.