Ann Arbor Named Climate Action Global Leader on CDP A List

November 17, 2022 – ​​For a second year in a row, Ann Arbor has been recognized by CDP as one of 122 cities and counties across the globe that is taking bold leadership on environmental action and transparency, despite the pressures of a challenging global economic situation.

Designed to encourage and support local governments to ramp up their climate action and ambition, CDP’s Cities A List is based on environmental data disclosed by local governments to CDP-ICLEI Track. A clear momentum in local climate disclosure and action is building — for the first time, over 1,000 cities and counties (1,002 in total) received a rating for their climate action from CDP in 2022, a rise on the 965 cities and counties scored in 2021. In 2022, just over one in 10 local governments scored by CDP (12% of such local governments) received an A.

To score an A, among other actions, a local government must disclose publicly through CDP-ICLEI Track, have a community-wide emissions inventory, and have published a climate action plan. Municipalities must also complete a climate risk and vulnerability assessment and have a climate adaptation plan to demonstrate how it will tackle climate hazards. Many A-list cities and counties are also taking a variety of other leadership actions, such as political commitment from a city’s mayor to tackle climate change.

A-list cities and counties are demonstrating their climate leadership through concerted and effective action, just as national governments have been asked to do at the Conference of the Parties 27 (COP27). They are taking twice as many mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A List local governments.

Ann Arbor and the other 121 cities and counties on this year’s A List are also celebrated for showing that urgent and impactful climate action – from ambitious emissions reduction targets to building resilience against climate change — is achievable at a global level, and in places with different climate realities and priorities. However, this action needs to go further and faster.

Ann Arbor’s plan to achieve carbon neutrality, known as A2ZERO, includes actions to secure 100% renewable energy, decarbonize buildings, increase the use of public and active transportation options, improve resilience to climate impacts, and change the way we use and dispose of materials. A2ZERO is centered on an equitable transition, highlighted in projects like Ann Arbor’s drive to make the Bryant neighborhood carbon neutral.

“Being an A-List City is an affirmation of Ann Arbor’s deep and sustained commitment to transparency and rigor,” said Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor. “We value science and knowledge as part of our fact-based work to achieve a just transition to community-wide carbon neutrality.”

“Congratulations to Ann Arbor for earning a spot on the CDP Cities A List — one of 49 cities and counties in North America to make the list in 2022,” said Katie Walsh, head of cities, states, regions and public authorities, CDP North America. “From mitigating carbon emissions in line with science, to building resilience against floods, drought and other climate hazards, to centering marginalized and vulnerable communities in their response, A-list local governments are demonstrating best-practice environmental action. Ann Arbor is in the vanguard of cities and counties leading the way toward a climate-safe future.”

For more information about the CDP Cities A List, visit https://www.cdp.net/en. To learn more about Ann Arbor’s efforts toward carbon neutrality, A2ZERO, visit www.a2zero.org.