Cities accelerate climate action through data disclosure

Cities worldwide are increasingly using environmental data disclosure to shape their responses to the climate crisis–particularly in adapting transport, infrastructure, and public health systems to climate-related hazards such as heatwaves and flooding, according to the CDP.

“Disclosure is a vital step in measuring and managing the impacts of climate change in a city,” Hanah Paik, Head of Sustainable Places at CDP, told Cities Today.

Through CDP-ICLEI Track, cities are reporting climate data to guide evidence-based action. In Turin, Italy, the city has redesigned intersections to prioritise pedestrians while using green infrastructure to capture stormwater.

“They have also created parking areas flanked by grass and nature to collect rainwater from streets, mitigating water runoff during heavy rainfall,” said Paik.

In the US, Indianapolis is addressing air pollution and extreme heat with a community-focused initiative.

“The ‘Knozone’ programme aims to reduce ozone and particulate matter 2.5, which contribute to heatwaves,” she explained.

The programme also encourages energy efficiency and alternative transport, supporting broader emissions reduction goals.

The 2024 A List recognises 112 cities for climate transparency and action. However, Paik noted that cities at earlier stages of the journey also have access to a wide range of resources to improve.

“CDP updates our ‘Next Steps’ document annually… these resources include databases, electricity maps, technical guidance documents, as well as case studies from cities around the world,” she said.

The structured feedback helps cities identify and address gaps in their disclosure and planning. “Cities can focus on the resources where their scores indicate areas of improvement,” Paik added.

For cities in the Global South, CDP provides targeted support to build institutional capacity.

“We provide resources in multiple languages, such as Portuguese and Spanish for Latin American cities,” she said. CDP also works with local partners to deliver technical training. “Through these collaborations, we provide both virtual and in-person capacity-building workshops throughout the year.”

Disclosure is also becoming an essential gateway to funding. In 2024, 611 cities reported to CDP seeking over US$86 billion in public and private finance. The figures also reflect an increase in the proportion of scored cities achieving CDP’s highest rating for environmental leadership and transparency rising to 15 percent in 2024 from 13 percent in 2023.

Image: Mirko Macari | Dreamstime.com