West Palm Beach is one of the 123 Global Cities and Counties Named Climate Action Leader on the CDP 2022 A-List

• West Palm Beach is one of 123 local governments to receive the top score on climate action from the environmental impact non-profit CDP
• A List cities and counties build climate momentum, taking twice as many climate mitigations and adaptation measures as non-A Listers
• Only 12% of cities and counties that were scored in 2022 received an A score

CDP has recognized West Palm Beach as one of 123 cities and counties 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 local governments to ramp up their climate action and ambition, CDP’s Cities A-List is based on environmental data disclosed by local governments to CDP-ICLEI Track. A clear momentum in local climate disclosure and action is building – for the first time, over 1,000 cities and counties (1,002 in total) received a rating for their climate action from CDP in 2022, a rise on the 965 cities and counties scored in 2021. In 2022, just over one in ten local governments scored by CDP (12% of such local governments) received an A.

To score an A, among other actions, a local government must disclose publicly through CDP-ICLEI Track and have a community-wide emissions inventory. It must have set a renewable energy target for the future and have published a climate action plan. It must also complete a climate risk and vulnerability assessment and have a climate adaptation plan to demonstrate how it will tackle climate hazards. Many A-List cities and counties are also taking a variety of other leadership actions, such as political commitment from a city’s Mayor to tackle climate change. 

A-List cities and counties are demonstrating their climate leadership through concerted and effective action, just as national governments have been asked to do at COP27. They take twice as many mitigations and adaptation measures as non-A List local governments.

West Palm Beach and the other 122 cities and counties 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 places with different climate realities and priorities. However, this action needs to go further and faster.

The City of West Palm Beach makes conscious efforts to reduce the City’s overall greenhouse gas emissions in the most cost-effective manner to reach our goal of ‘Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050’. These efforts can be seen in the City’s ‘10K Trees in 10 years’ program that provides free trees to City residents and businesses to increase the City’s tree canopy. This tree canopy provides shade for residents that in turn, reduce their energy costs and can serve to capture carbon from the atmosphere. Additionally, the city is currently working to transition its vehicle fleet to electric vehicles in a cost-effective manner that will help reduce tail-pipe pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, the city hosts several energy and water conservation programs for residents and businesses, providing education and resources to help them reduce their energy burdens and save money.

“West Palm Beach has long recognized the importance and urgency for Climate Action and education, and we welcome the recognition of being on the CDP 2022 A-list.” Said Mayor Keith A. James. “However, West Palm Beach’s actions alone are insufficient to solve the Climate Change problems. We need each of you – residents, visitors, businesses, other governments, and organizations – to step up to protect our precious Earth, our home, and our future.”

“Congratulations to West Palm Beach for earning a spot on the CDP Cities A List — one of 49 cities and counties in North America to make the list in 2022,” said Katie Walsh, Head of Cities, States, Regions and Public Authorities, CDP North America. “From mitigating carbon emissions in line with science to building resilience against floods, drought, and other climate hazards, to centering marginalized and vulnerable communities in their response, A-List local governments are demonstrating best-practice environmental action. West Palm Beach is in the vanguard of cities and counties leading the way toward a climate-safe future.”

To learn more about the City’s sustainable community efforts and programs, visit wpb.org/green

To learn more about CDP’s Cities A-List, visit https://www.cdp.net/en/cities

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