San Diego has boldly stepped up to the environmental plate, earning an 'A' from the global nonprofit Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for its climate action performance. Out of 939 cities analyzed worldwide, San Diego now stands among the elite 119 cities that have proven to be leaders in the sustainability field. The city's achievement is no small feat, gaining recognition alongside peers such as Barcelona, Toronto, and Buenos Aires.
CDP mentioned that, to even be considered for an 'A' rating, cities must fill out a detailed questionnaire and possess both a citywide emissions inventory and a published climate action plan. "We could not have achieved this status without the cooperation of our partners throughout the city—both internally and externally—all working together to achieve our climate action goals," Alyssa Muto, Director of the Sustainability and Mobility Department, said in a statement obtained by InsideSD.
This acknowledgement showcases San Diego's significant progress in its environmental journey, marking its first 'A' rating and third time on the A-list. The city has updated and adopted a new Climate Action Plan in 2022 with a commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2035. This ambitious target is set to accelerate the city's greenhouse gas reduction, all while promoting green jobs and innovation.
"Achieving net-zero emissions will greatly improve the air we breathe, the communities we live in, and our overall quality of life," a report by InsideSD explains. San Diego's efforts around climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation are significant factors that have contributed to its high score.
