Emeryville is part of a network of 533 cities including Johannesburg, London, New York, São Paulo, Sydney and Tokyo that disclose vital climate change related information through CDP, an international NGO that catalyzes city and business action to protect the environment.
The significant rise in cities disclosing their climate change strategies – up 70% from last year according to CDP – reflects growing economic interest in the impacts of climate change by businesses and investors, and comes after the world’s governments signaled a sure shift towards a low carbon future at COP 21 in Paris in December. Cities worldwide are also coordinating on climate change like never before as part of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, the world’s largest global coalition of cities leading in the fight against climate change. Emeryville is positioning itself to be part of that future, and is working to help protect the people who work and live in our city from the impacts of climate change.
Emeryville is therefore delighted to be disclosing its climate change information through CDP for the first time this year. CDP’s disclosure platform helps cities, businesses and investors better understand the risks and opportunities climate change presents, and promotes transparency on this important issue. Our disclosure to CDP covers information about actions we are taking to address climate change, details on our greenhouse gas emissions and our efforts and investments to reduce them.
As a result of the City’s successful efforts in climate action planning, Emeryville is one of eight cities in California selected by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research for their Best Practices Pilot Program in 2016. Emeryville will be a case study for cities around California and the United States for developing climate action plans and reporting greenhouse gas emissions.
Cities generate more than 80% of global GDP, are home to more than half the global population and account for more than 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions . They are also, according to the United Nations, on the frontline of climate change . Disclosing on climate change is considered best practice in reducing emissions and adapting to the effects of warmer temperatures.
Paul Dickinson, executive chairman of CDP, says: “We are thrilled to have so many new cities, in particular from the developing world, share their climate strategies through CDP for the first time. Disclosing environmental information fuels awareness that in turn helps city leaders plan, finance and build low-carbon resilient cities. You cannot manage what you do not measure, and this year city leaders around the world are sending a clear message that they are ready and able to take on the global climate challenge.”
CDP is the official reporting partner of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, whose members also use the CDP platform to communicate their greenhouse gas emissions, risks and opportunities and strategies for dealing with climate change.