CDP, a not-for-profit charity that runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts, has listed Belfast as one of the world’s leading climate action cities.
The global list, which also features New York, Paris, and Melbourne, now includes Belfast for the first time.
Belfast was able to rank among the top cities thanks to the One Million Trees Programme, which saw 40,000 trees planted in the city in the first year.
According to a senior manager at CDP, Laura Parry, the fact that Belfast has only been revealing to CDP and ICLEI-Track for just two years is incredibly exciting.
Read also: Climate Change: African students to benefit from digital education program
In his words, “it’s a real achievement for them to have reached the A-list so quickly.”
Tina Black, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, described the announcement as “fantastic news for Belfast.”
“Action on climate is something we must all take responsibility for; it is not up to one organisation or group of individuals – we all have a role to play, and I’m pleased that we are getting recognition for our efforts.
“As a council, we need to harness the momentum from our involvement in COP26 last year and build on the collaborative work that is already underway – including our continued lead participation in the Belfast Climate Commission,” she added.
There are 19 cities in the UK on the list, including Belfast.
Cities are graded on a scale of A to D, and in order to receive an A, a city must take a number of steps, such as publishing publicly through CDP-ICLEI Track, an international platform for climate reporting.
Additionally, they must have a public climate action strategy as well as a citywide emissions inventory.
Other measures included a Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme and a focus on just transition in climate planning, which holds that no one should lose out in the transition to a net-zero economy.
Story was adapted from the BBC.
