Midlands cities named on global climate leaders list

Nottingham and Leicester have been recognised by environmental charity CDP as global leaders for climate action and ambition by being named on the organisation’s A List.

Made up of 95 cities globally, the CDP A List celebrates those demonstrating their climate leadership through concerted and effective action despite the continued pressures of tackling the coronavirus pandemic on local and national economies and societies.

Other UK cities on the A list include Edinburgh, Manchester and Newcastle, drawn from over 1,000 cities worldwide that reported their environmental impact through CDP in 2021.

Designed to encourage and support cities worldwide to ramp up their climate action and ambition, CDP’s Cities A List is based on environmental data disclosed by cities to the CDP-ICLEI Unified Reporting System.

965 cities received a rating for their climate action from CDP in 2021, a substantial rise on the 591 cities scored in 2020.

A List cities such as Leicester and Nottingham are taking twice as many mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A List cities, and these cities also identify more than twice as many opportunities arising from the shift to a net-zero world – such as the development of sustainable transport sectors and clean technology businesses.

These cities are 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 cities with different climate realities and priorities.

However, this action needs to go further and faster to meet the new targets agreed at COP26.

Kevin Harris, Chair of the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership, said:

I’m delighted to see Leicester on this important list as this means we are standing out on the global stage for our efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

The City Council’s Climate Action Plan is a key strategy that has helped the city achieve this recognition.

Wayne Bexton, Director of Carbon Reduction, Energy, and Sustainability at Nottingham City Council, said:

I’m thrilled that Nottingham has received this recognition for our collective work on tackling climate change and working towards carbon neutrality.

To be one of the top 100 cities around the globe taking leadership on environmental action is something the city should be very proud of. We know we have much work to do, but to receive accolades such as this galvanises the commitment and enables us to reflect on the significant journey we’ve come on to date.