Coventry among 105 cities globally to score an A for leading climate change action

• Coventry scores top grade on climate action according to environmental impact non-profit organisation CDP.
• CDP names 105 cities as leaders on climate action and transparency, more than double the number in 2019. 
• Cities on the A List are taking on over three times as many climate actions as others 

Coventry has been recognized as a global leader on climate action and transparency, achieving a place on CDP’s Cities A List.

Last year, 43 cities were recognised for their climate leadership and transparency, compared to 105 this year, 65% of which are new arrivals. 

CDP is once again publishing its Cities A List to demonstrate how cities are stepping up to the helm, leading on ambitious and urgent climate action. In 2019, CDP scored cities A (Leadership), B (Management), C, (Awareness) and D (Disclosure) based on completeness and quality of their data, and the level of action taken. 

To score an A, a city must have a city-wide emissions inventory, have set an emissions reduction target, published a climate action plan and have completed a climate adaptation plan to demonstrate how it will tackle climate hazards now and in the future among other actions. 

Analysis has shown that on average cities on the A List are taking over three times as many climate actions as non-A List cities. This represents five times as many actions to cut emissions and curb future warming, and twice as many to adapt to current climate hazards, from flooding to extreme heatwaves. 

Kyra Appleby, Global Director for Cities, States and Regions at CDP, said:

“In the year of COP 26, the world’s attention is turned to state governments to ratchet up their carbon reduction commitments. Cities, however, are uniquely placed to deliver urgent action. These 105, including Coventry demonstrate how they are setting an example for others to follow, and we congratulate them for their leadership.”
Coventry has been recognized for its actions in the last reporting year to develop robust climate change strategies, track and act to limit and reduce emissions, assess and mitigate climate risks and transparently report this information in its 2019 disclosure to CDP.”

Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member, for Jobs and Regeneration at Coventry City Council, said:

“This is really encouraging news for the city especially as the Council and other organisations are absolutely committed to addressing all aspects of climate change.

We know how important it is to be clear on the challenges we face and the steps we need to take to reduce carbon emissions in the city.

Key initiatives include the green business programme which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), where we are helping businesses to reduce their impact on the environment through funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy powered solutions.  Other major projects include our electric vehicle charging infrastructure, putting us second with the most amount of EV chargers of all UK cities outside of London and the launch of the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) later this year.

“Our approach is addressing climate change in a way that has the backing of the community and business, although we know we have lots more to do. It is also important that we learn from the work of other cities too.”

A number of projects are underway or in development which are focusing on the city’s environmental activities.  For a number of years, the City has had a district heating system, which is heating key city centre buildings from its waste to energy plant; energy efficient street lighting resulting in a 38% energy reduction and the first embedded cross disciplinary energy research hub is located at one of our Universities to identify the City’s power supply needs and secure funding for critical power supply improvements.  

In addition, we are meeting the challenge of future mobility using battery technology to create a new very light rail (VLR) system in Coventry (the first one in the UK) alongside CW LEP, Warwick Manufacturing Group and West Midlands Combined Authority.  We will also have ten fully electric buses operating by April 2020 on major routes that have been identified as air quality hotspots.