Dive Brief:

• The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) awarded 43 cities an "A" grade for addressing climate change and environmental issues in the non-profit's first city ranking. That represents just 7% of the 596 cities that provided data in response to CDP's request.
• The investor-backed nonprofit organization ranked cities based on how they measure and manage emissions, and adapt to changes like sea-level rise and extreme weather. Fourteen of the “A-grade” cities got high marks for setting goals to become climate or carbon neutral by 2050, with some setting their targets even earlier.
• Twenty-one American cities made the list, including Boston, Denver, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, DC.

Dive Insight:

According to the United Nations, 55% of the world's population currently lives in cities — a number projected to rise to 68% by 2050 — and produce more than 70% of the world's carbon emissions.

That makes cities key to reducing energy consumption and emissions, since local-level policies can result in major shifts, especially on the power production level. With federal policies going against climate action, U.S. cities have taken the lead on cutting emissions and vowing to uphold the goals of the Paris climate agreement.

Kyra Appleby, CDP's global director for cities, states and regions, said in a statement that cities "could make or break efforts to tackle climate change." Appleby added that cities should "step up their action, set targets in line with what the latest science says is needed to prevent dangerous climate change, and transparently share their progress."

Reflecting the role of private companies in fighting climate change, CDP also ranked businesses for leading on environmental progress and making green policies transparent. That comes just days after the UN said the world’s top companies could lose $1.2 trillion over the next 15 years if progress is not made on climate change.

CDP's grades reflected a range of efforts. Five cities have set 100% renewable energy targets, including Paris, San Francisco and Canberra, Australia; Reykjavík, Iceland has reached its renewable energy target. Others were given high marks for transportation policies, like London's introduction of a low emissions zone that penalizes drivers in cars that heavily pollute. Calgary was credited for construction of a new transit line, while Taipei has made progress on green building codes and reducing drought impact.

Given the urgent need to address climate change and its impact, there's been some concern that cities' long-range goals may not be enough. CDP's rankings are another reminder that cities have a major role to play in fighting climate change, but also face its immediate impacts.