122 cities across the globe have been named as leaders in environmental action and transparency in 2022 by CDP. For the first time, this includes cities from several countries in the Global South - often among those most affected by the impact of climate change.
The fifth annual cities A List recognizes cities that have received the highest score for their transparency and bold climate action, and celebrates their achievements, vision and commitment in the fight against climate change.
In a sign that serious and meaningful climate action is being taken right across the globe, the 2022 A List features cities in countries such as Peru, Ecuador, Cameroon, Turkey, Jordan and India - the world’s third largest emitter of greenhouse gases - for the first time.
To score an A, among other actions, a city must disclose publicly through CDP-ICLEI Track, have a city-wide emissions inventory and have published a climate action plan. The scoring criteria for emissions reduction targets have been strengthened in a move towards aligning with science-based climate targets, to include a long-term (by 2050) net-zero target or a mid-term target that is aligned with a fair share of limiting global warming to 1.5˚C. An A List city must also complete a climate risk and vulnerability assessment (CRVA) and have a climate adaptation plan to demonstrate how it will tackle climate hazards.
A List cities are demonstrating their climate leadership through concerted and effective action, just as national governments were asked to do at COP27, and are taking three times as many mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A List cities.
Growing momentum in disclosure and action is clearly building. This year, for the first time, over 1,000 cities were scored by CDP (1,002 in total), with just over one in ten cities (12%) scoring an A. Moreover, close to half of all cities (42%) are new to the A List.
See the 2021 Cities A List, the 2020 Cities A List, the 2019 Cities A List or the 2018 Cities A List