CDP, a non-profit charity overseeing environmental impact disclosures, has unveiled its annual list of climate-friendly cities, with 22 European cities making the prestigious ‘A List’ for their ambitious climate actions. Nordic countries dominate the list, contributing more than half of the leading cities in continental Europe for 2023.
The Cities A List by CDP acknowledges cities that exhibit high transparency and bold climate action. In 2023, 119 cities worldwide have been recognized as climate leaders, showcasing a growing mainstream commitment to tackling climate change among urban areas.
Among the 112 cities scored in continental Europe, nearly 20 percent achieved an A rating, surpassing the global average of 13 percent for urban climate leadership. The number of European A List cities has slightly increased from 21 in 2022, with nearly two-thirds being repeat entries.
Notably, 80 percent of Europe’s A List cities have populations under one million, emphasizing that financial resources are not a prerequisite for environmental leadership. Nordic cities, with 12 across Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland, lead in environmental reporting and action.
Swedish capital Stockholm, for instance, mandates household separation of food waste, contributing to renewable biogas and biofertilizer production. In Denmark, the city of Helsingør focuses on adaptation measures to counter rising sea levels.
Paris mobilizes citizens with climate volunteers, while the German city of Münster raises awareness through climate walks. Spanish city Saragossa addresses health impacts of extreme heat, and Milan in Italy implements an energy retrofit plan for municipal buildings to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
The full list of A-ranked cities in Europe includes Athens, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Guimarães, Helsingør, Lund, Madrid, Malmö, Mannheim, Milan, Münster, Oslo, Paris, ReykjavÃk, Saragossa, Stockholm, Tampere, Trondheim, Turin, Turku, Uppsala, and Vantaa City.
In the UK, categorized separately, 26 cities, including Edinburgh, Belfast, Birmingham, and the City of London, have made the A List, further emphasizing the widespread commitment to climate action across European cities.
