Longmont is among the best in the country when it comes to putting together a climate action plan, according to a nonprofit that tracks environmental impacts across the globe.
CDP recently gave the city an “A” ranking, the top score on climate action. Cities and counties on CDP’s A list are recognized for taking leadership on environmental action and transparency. Only 12% of cities and counties that were scored in 2022 received an A score, according to a CDP news release.
The news release states that some of the requirements for an A score include:
- Public disclosure through CDP-ICLEI Track, the globally recognized climate reporting and accountability platform.
- A community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory.
- A science- based greenhouse gas emission reduction target and a published integrated climate action plan.
- A climate risk and vulnerability assessment.
Mayor Joan Peck said she was thrilled with Longmont’s high ranking. “Making the A list in our second year is something to be proud of. It shows our deep commitment to mitigating climate change and our determination to continue to improve year over year,” Peck said. "Let's keep moving forward."
Highlights of Longmont’s climate action efforts include:
- Increasing support of wildfire mitigation at Button Rock Preserve to help protect the water supply
- Passing 2021 ICC code updates and residential solar and electric vehicle-ready amendments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Developing and passing a Beneficial Building Electrification Plan to reduce building GHG emissions
- Passing the updated Zero Waste Resolution and increasing funding for the Eco-Cycle Green Star program
- Aligning the City’s 2030 emissions reduction target with the 2015 Paris Agreement to curb world temperatures
“Congratulations to Longmont 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, in the news release.
“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. Longmont is in the vanguard of cities and counties leading the way toward a climate-safe future,” she said.
CDP is a global non-profit that runs the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions, according to the news release. Founded in 2000 and working with more than 680 investors with over $130 trillion in assets, CDP pioneered using capital markets and corporate procurement to motivate companies to disclose their environmental impacts, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources and protect forests, the news release states.
