Birmingham named on global climate action A List

Birmingham has been named one of 119 cities around the world leading the way on climate action, after being awarded an A score by the environmental disclosure charity CDP.

Only 13 per cent of the cities scored this year received an A. Birmingham previously had a B rating.

What the A List means

CDP, formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, publishes its Cities A List every year. It recognises cities that are building momentum on climate action; those on the list take four times as many measures to cut emissions and adapt to climate change as cities not on it.

The scores are based on environmental data that cities disclose through the CDP-ICLEI Track reporting system. To achieve an A, a city must disclose its data publicly, have a city-wide inventory of emissions and have published a climate action plan. It must also complete an assessment of the climate risks it faces and how vulnerable it is to them. The council says its work producing such an assessment for Birmingham was a key factor in reaching A status.

"Hard work across the council and city"

Councillor Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for environment, said: "It is fantastic to see this recognition from such a respected global organisation and it reflects the hard work across the council and city."

"The city council declared a climate emergency in 2019, committing us to take action to reduce the city's carbon emissions and limit the climate crisis, and we take that responsibility very seriously."

"While we can only directly control our own emissions, we can also use our wide-ranging powers to influence others and we are actively engaging with businesses and citizens, with a series of events to coincide with COP28."

Heating is the biggest challenge

Cllr Mahmood said heating buildings accounts for around two thirds of greenhouse gas emissions across Birmingham, most of it from burning gas for space and water heating.

Alongside efforts to support the decarbonisation of buildings across the city, the council is developing programmes to cut emissions from its own buildings and its housing stock, one of the largest in the country.

"The climate crisis is one of the single biggest challenges facing our city and we know there is much more to do, so we will work with everyone - our citizens, neighbourhoods, and businesses - to build a greener, healthier and fairer future for all," he said.

A difficult time for the council

The recognition comes at a hard time for the council, which issued a section 114 notice in September, effectively declaring itself unable to balance its books, and is now working under government-appointed commissioners. Difficult decisions on spending lie ahead, and campaigners will be watching to see how climate commitments fare.

The city has already introduced a Clean Air Zone, which has helped reduce pollution in the city centre, and launched hydrogen buses and a network of electric vehicle chargers. The COP28 climate summit begins in Dubai at the end of the month, and the council is holding events to encourage residents and businesses to play their part.