West Palm Beach Named Climate Action Leaders on CDP 2023 A-List

November 14, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Diane G. Papadakos, Director of Communications
City of West Palm Beach – Mayor’s Office
dpapadakos@wpb.org
(561) 822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771)

West Palm Beach Named Climate Action Leaders on CDP 2023 A-List

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – West Palm Beach has been recognized by CDP as one of 119 cities 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 cities to ramp up their climate action and ambition, CDP’s Cities A-list is based on environmental data disclosed by cities to CDP-ICLEI Track. A clear momentum in City climate disclosure and action is building – over 900 cities (939 in total) received a rating for their climate action from CDP in 2023. In 2023, just over one in ten cities scored by CDP (13% of such cities) received an A.

To score an A, among other actions, a City must disclose publicly through the CDP-ICLEI Track, have a City-wide emissions inventory, and have published a climate action plan. It must also complete a climate risk and vulnerability assessment and have a climate adaptation goal to demonstrate how it will tackle climate hazards. Many A-List cities are also taking a variety of other leadership actions, including a political commitment from a City’s Mayor to tackle climate change.

A-list cities are demonstrating their climate leadership through concerted and effective action, just as national governments will be asked to do at COP28. They are taking four times as many mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A List cities.

West Palm Beach, and the other 118 cities 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 cities with different climate realities and priorities. However, this action needs to go further and faster.

West Palm Beach is one of a new class of 119 cities to receive top scores on climate action from the environmental impact non-profit, CDP.

• 35 A-listers are in the USA.
• 42 A-listers are in North American.
• 3 government entities are in Florida.
• West Palm Beach is the ONLY City in Florida to be A-rated.

• A-List City builds climate momentum, taking four times as many climate mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A Listers.
• Only 13% of Cities scored in 2023 received an A-score.

West Palm Beach has been proactively addressing climate challenges by focusing on various climate problems specific to the area. We have recognized the need for immediate action to combat climate change, particularly in the face of rising sea levels and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. Our City’s response has been marked by the implementation of comprehensive climate action plans, the creation of a City-wide emissions inventory, and a commitment to enhancing resilience against climate-related hazards. The positive response from our Community has been overwhelming, with residents and local businesses actively participating in sustainability efforts.

Mayor Keith A. James stated, “Celebrating inclusion in CDP’s Cities A-List is a testament to the specific actions and strategies West Palm Beach has taken on climate change. We understand the importance of building a green future and recognize that Cities play a pivotal role in tackling climate change. We encourage other cities to follow our lead and join the global effort to combat climate change. Together, we can make a significant impact.”

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About the City of West Palm Beach:
The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic City located on the Atlantic coast of Florida. With a rich history, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region, and the central City of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing, waterfront City that offers the business advantages available in the region, combined with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit us on our official website, or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and/or Linked-in.

About CDP:  

CDP is a global non-profit that runs the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states, and regions. Founded in 2000 and working with more than 740 financial institutions with over $136 trillion in assets, CDP pioneered using capital markets and corporate procurement to motivate companies to disclose their environmental impacts, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources, and protect forests.

Over 24,000 organizations around the world disclosed data through CDP in 2023 – including listed companies worth two-thirds of global market capitalization – and over 1,100 cities, states, and regions. CDP is a founding member of the Science Based Targets initiative, We Mean Business Coalition, The Investor Agenda, and the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative. Visit cdp.net or follow us @CDP to find out more.