The City of San Diego recently received global recognition for its ongoing climate action and sustainability efforts. 

The nonprofit Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) reviewed input from 939 cities across the world this year, and granted A-list status to 119, including San Diego. This is the City’s third time making the list, and it’s first A rating. San Diego is in good company, alongside other visionary cities including Barcelona, Toronto and Buenos Aires. 

“This recognition is a tremendous honor for San Diego, which underlines the significant efforts our City has successfully moved forward to address the ongoing challenges of climate change,” said Alyssa Muto, Director of the Sustainability and Mobility Department. “We could not have achieved this status without the cooperation of our partners throughout the City – both internally and externally – all working together to achieve our climate action goals.” 

According to the CDP, the Cities A List celebrates cities that, through transparency, strong leadership and bold action to tackle climate change, are recognized as global environmental leaders. To score an A rating cities must, among other things, fill out an extensive questionnaire from the CDP, have a citywide emissions inventory and a published climate action plan. 

This year’s improved score  was made possible by a citywide approach to implementation of the City’s Climate Action Plan, updated and adopted in 2022. The plan establishes a goal of net-zero emissions by 2035, committing San Diego to an accelerated trajectory for greenhouse gas reductions with increased opportunities for green jobs and innovation. Achieving net-zero emissions will improve the air we breathe, the communities we live in and our overall quality of life. 

The City’s proven reduction of greenhouse gases, plus focused efforts centered around climate resilience, adaptation and mitigation helped San Diego earn this coveted international rating among the world’s most forward-thinking and innovative cities.