Edinburgh receives highest global rating for climate action

Edinburgh is the only city in Scotland, and one of just 95 globally, to be placed on the 2021 A List by CDP, an international charity which runs the largest environmental disclosure system for companies and cities.

To make the A List, a city needs to publicly disclose a city-wide emissions inventory, set an emissions reduction target, publish a climate action plan, complete a climate risk and vulnerability assessment, and created a climate adaptation plan.

Fewer than one tenth of cities reporting to CDP made the A List in 2021.

Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, Adam McVey, said: ‘This international recognition is a fantastic accomplishment for Edinburgh. It recognises how transparent we’re being about the action we’re taking as a city to tackle climate change as well as the hard work which is already underway to support our 2030 target.

‘Net-zero redevelopments like Granton Waterfront, improving our parks, food growing sites and urban forests have all delivered action as a city to help deliver net-zero. Whilst COP26 may have just ended, with some disappointment on progress agreed by National Governments, Edinburgh’s work continues to build on the progress we’ve already made. And the strength of Edinburgh’s approach has been endorsed with being listed one of just 95 cities in the world to be awarded an A-list status by the CPD, the only city in Scotland.

‘Our works as a council and as a city will continue over the coming months and years to help deliver a net zero, climate ready capital by 2030 and we know that’s what our residents are demanding of us.’

Depute Leader, Cammy Day, added: ‘This recognition from CDP is welcome encouragement and reinforces that we’re on the right track.

‘As Scotland’s capital, we’re delivering innovative and ground-breaking projects which will encourage change at the speed and scale needed to ensure our young people inherit a thriving, climate ready, sustainable city which is a cleaner and healthier place to live and work.

‘However, we can’t afford to become complacent and we need to keep on driving city-wide climate action and change, whilst ensuring that no one is left behind to help Edinburgh meet its climate targets.’

Photo by Cameron Gibson