Cities worldwide step up on climate leadership, with 112 awarded CDP’s top A List status
States and Regions scored publicly by CDP for the first time, with two States joining the A List
In 2024, 15% of scored cities worldwide demonstrated leadership in environmental transparency and climate action
London, 29 May 2025: CDP – the world’s foremost independent environmental disclosure platform for companies, cities, states and regions – has named 112 cities and two states and regions, on its 2024 A List. This reflects an increase in the proportion of scored cities achieving CDP’s highest rating for environmental leadership and transparency rising to 15% in 2024 from 13% in 2023. This is also the first year wherein states and regions have been recognised on the A List, a milestone in sub-national climate accountability.
In 2024, nearly 1,000 cities disclosed environmental data through CDP-ICLEI Track. Of these, 752 received scores, and 15% achieved an A. The 112 A List cities span every inhabited continent and represent a mix of large and small urban centres, including Denver (USA), Quito (Ecuador), Florence (Italy), Johannesburg (South Africa), Makati (Philippines), and Auckland (New Zealand).
The majority of A List cities are located in Europe and North America, with a consistent presence from the Global South, demonstrating that environmental transparency and action are engrained in many of the world’s urban areas and are driving sustainable decisions.
Recognizing the importance of sub-national governments in advancing an Earth-positive future, 2024 also marked the first year that CDP publicly scored states and regions. Nearly 100 disclosed their data through CDP, with 75 receiving a score – the majority from the Global South and half from Latin America. Two US states (California and Colorado) achieved an A.
Metric | 2024 data |
|---|---|
Total number of reporting cities | 973 |
Total number of scored cities | 752 |
Total number of A List cities | 112 (15%) |
New to the A List in 2024 | 23 (21%) |
A List cities in Europe | 48 |
A List cities in North America | 37 |
A List cities in Asia | 10 |
A List cities in Latin America | 9 |
A List cities in Oceania | 6 |
A List cities in Africa | 2 |
Countries with most A List cities | USA (29) |
Total number of reporting states and regions | 92 |
Total number of scored states and regions | 75 |
Total number of A List states and regions | 2 (3%) |
“Cities are on the frontline of the climate crisis and are uniquely positioned to drive the Earth-positive decisions needed to balance people, planet, and prosperity”, said Hanah Paik, CDP Global Director for Cities, States and Regions.
“The cities, states and regions on CDP’s 2024 A List are setting the global benchmark for environmental leadership. Through robust disclosure and decisive action, they are ensuring that essential data is surfaced for informed decision-making across governments, markets and communities – and for unlocking access to the climate finance needed for implementation. They are not only accelerating their own progress but also charting a path for others to follow. We look forward to supporting many more subnational actors as they step up in 2025.”
With 83% of cities facing significant climate hazards – such as flooding, extreme heat and drought – and two thirds reporting they expect these hazards to be become more frequent and intense, CDP's A List shows many local governments already recognize the importance of disclosing data to increase transparency, foster collaboration, accelerate solutions and support sustainable economic growth.
View the full 2024 A List for cities, states and regions.
For more information, or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Samika Meshram (samika.meshram@cdp.net)
George Bush (george.bush@cdp.net)