Introduction to scoring
Scoring is closely aligned with CDP’s mission – CDP works with cities to motivate them to disclose their impacts on the environment and natural resources and take action to reduce negative impacts. CDP uses the scoring methodology to incentivise cities to measure and manage environmental impacts through participation in CDP’s Cities program.
Scoring cities responses to the CDP questionnaire also enables us to provide feedback to the cities on their performance and the completeness of their response. Scoring allows CDP to recognise leadership in city climate action and encourage cities to follow best practice. Scoring can be used by cities internally as a tool to identify gaps in climate planning and improve climate planning incrementally each year. Scoring can also be used to benchmark a city’s performance against the average scores of other cities in the same region or of the same size.
Scores are private to cities, and are not made public for 2019, although CDP will recognise and reward the highest scoring cities. This year, there are 4 scoring bands that cities can fall into:
- Disclosure
- Awareness
- Management
- Leadership
An overview of the scoring bands and their hierarchy is shown in the image below. Detailed information on the definition and criteria of the scoring bands can be found below in the Cities Scoring Methodology.
In order to progress from one level to the next, cities must pass the threshold at each scoring band. For example, in order to achieve a score within Awareness (C or C-) a city must receive enough points within Disclosure in order to pass the Disclosure threshold first, before receiving a score in Awareness. This applies for all scoring bands, though the thresholds for each band may vary. The more criteria achieved within each band overall, the more points a city will receive.
Management and Leadership bands have essential criteria which must be achieved in order to receive a score within that band. Essential criteria is explained below in the Cities Scoring Methodology.
Scoring at CDP is mission-driven, focusing on CDP’s principles and values for a sustainable economy and providing a roadmap for cities to achieve best practice. The Cities scoring methodology is designed to incentivise actions that are to a certain extent applicable to all cities regardless of geography or level of development.
Introduction to 2019 scoring methodology
The scoring methodology provides the full breakdown of the responses CDP is incentivising within each scoring band for the CDP Cities 2019 questionnaire.
The scoring methodology provides an indication of the level of score responses will receive in assessing progress towards environmental leadership. The score assesses the level of detail and comprehensiveness of a city’s actions and planning as reported in the CDP questionnaire, and does not consider any other actions and plans that are not reported within the CDP questionnaire.
Changes to the scoring methodology since 2018
Based on feedback from cities and in addition to the final score, CDP is introducing two new sub-scores to better understand each city’s progress towards climate leadership. The two scores are Adaptation (reducing vulnerability to climate risk) and Mitigation (reducing and managing emissions). Each question in the 2019 questionnaire falls into either one, or both categories.
Previously CDP provided one overall score to each city, along with category scores to identify which areas needed improvement. From the feedback we received, the category scores did not provide a complete enough overview of progress towards climate leadership, across different types of city. Therefore, CDP is now providing scores against each theme (Adaptation and Mitigation), to better provide a more holistic overview of the stage of climate action, as many cities have a focus on either one of these general themes. The Adaptation and Mitigation sub-scores will replace the previous category scores.
Cities who submit a response to the full Cities 2019 Questionnaire will receive:
- One overall letter score indicating the overall level of climate disclosure and performance as assessed by the information provided in the response;
- One Adaptation letter score indicating the level of climate disclosure and performance as assessed by the information provided in the response to questions falling under Adaptation;
- One Mitigation letter score indicating the level of climate disclosure and performance as assessed by the information provided in the response to questions falling under Mitigation.
In addition, as a result of the partnership with ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, the questionnaire has undergone significant changes since 2018. These changes have resulted in modifications to the scoring methodology.
Finally, CDP has improved the consistency of the criteria assessed within scoring methodology in order to improve accuracy of scoring cities responses in some areas.
2019 Cities scoring methodology
In the scoring methodology you will find for each scoring band:
- A definition of the scoring band with the types of qualities expected;
- The responses that are needed to receive points in that band, broken down by questionnaire section;
- Any essential criteria that may be required to achieve a score in that band; and
- An indication of whether the questions in each section fall under the Adaptation or Mitigation scores, or both
An explanation of the characteristics of each scoring band is provided below:
Disclosure: A city in the Disclosure scoring band has just started the journey of understanding and reporting on climate impacts. These cities understand the value of collecting data to drive climate action but may not have structures or resources in place to obtain the necessary information. Cities in the Disclosure band report on the degree to which climate impacts and risks have been measured.
Awareness: A city in the Awareness scoring band is in the process of assessing the main risks and impacts of climate change. These cities have begun developing assessment and measuring impacts to get a holistic understanding of the main impacts climate change has on their city but is not yet taking action to reduce the impact.
Management: A city in the Management band has understood the main risks and impacts of climate change and is taking action to adapt to and reduce these effects. These cities have worked collaboratively with key stakeholders to understand their risks and impacts and now have plans in place to mitigate and adapt.
Leadership: A Leadership city demonstrates best practice standards across adaptation and mitigation, has set ambitious but realistic goals and made progress towards achieving those goals. Cities in the Leadership band have strategic, holistic plans in place to ensure the actions they are taking will reduce climate impacts and vulnerabilities of the citizens, businesses and organisations residing in their city.
Scoring criteria - City details & Governance
The questions in this section are scored under both Adaptation and Mitigation
Disclosure criteria
- Provides details of the city including boundary, leader, current population, currency and city geography
- Reports on the degree to which sustainability goals and targets are incorporated in main city plans
- Reports on the status of a Mayoral commitment to climate change adaptation and/or mitigation
Awareness criteria
- Reports details of the projected population of the city
- Has integrated or intends to integrate sustainability into mainstream city planning
- Is working towards a public commitment from the Mayor on climate change adaptation and/or mitigation, or is working towards a Mayoral commitment
Management criteria
- Demonstrates specific sustainability goals that have been incorporated into mainstream city planning, or intends to integrate sustainability into main city planning in future
- Has a public commitment from the Mayor to adapt and/mitigate climate change
Leadership criteria
- Provides detailed description of the sustainability goals that are integrated in the main city plan and includes the name of the plan(s)
- Provides evidence of a public commitment from the Mayor to adapt and/mitigate climate change
Scoring criteria - Adaptation
The questions in this section are scored under Adaptation
Disclosure criteria
- Reports on the status of a city-wide adaptation plan and any details available
- Reports any actions being taken to reduce the city’s vulnerability from climate change impacts
Awareness criteria
- Has a climate adaptation plan that covers the city boundary, or explaining why a different boundary was used
- Explains whether the adaptation plan is a standalone plan or is integrated into other city plans
- Reports an Adaptation goal with target year and metrics/indicators to demonstrate how the target is measured
Management criteria
Essential criteria: Must attach a city-wide action or adaptation plan
- Provides evidence of a climate adaptation plan covering at least the city boundary
- Reports the implementation status of the adaptation plan
- Adaptation plan is authored primarily by the city government
- Demonstrates action being taken on at least 50% of the hazards identified, with those actions being in operation or competed
- Demonstrates working towards achieving reported adaptation goals
Leadership criteria
Essential criteria: Must attach a city-wide adaptation plan
- Provides evidence of a city-wide adaptation plan from the last 4 years which has been implemented or is currently in implementation
- Has assessed the synergies and trade-offs between adaptation and mitigation actions in the plan
- Has identified actions to reduce the city’s vulnerability of all reported hazards, describing the scope of each action and how it will help to reduce the hazard’s impact
- Adaptation goals relate to reducing vulnerability to the main climate hazards reported in the city
Scoring criteria - City-wide emissions
The questions in this section are scored under Mitigation
Disclosure criteria
- Reports on whether a city-wide emissions inventory has been conducted by the city
If an inventory does exist:
- Reports the accounting year, boundary, methodology and gases included in the inventory
- Reports the total (Scope 1 + Scope 2) emissions calculated in the
emissions inventory
- Reports a breakdown of emissions as per the
relevant emissions methodology (e.g. by sector and scope) or where no breakdown
is available, an explanation is provided
- Provides an attachment of the full city-wide
inventory and indicates the format of the inventory, level of confidence and
population in the inventory year
- Reports on whether the change in emissions the
current and previous inventories has been identified with an explanation of the
reason for the change
- Reports on whether the emissions data has been
externally verified or audited and if not, an explanation is provided
- Reports on whether any previous submitted
inventories have changed due to recalculations
- Reports on whether a consumption-based inventory has been undertaken by
the city
Awareness criteria
- Has a city-wide emissions inventory or intends to undertake a city-wide emissions inventory
If an inventory does exist:
- Reports a 12-month accounting period and includes CO2
- The city-wide emissions inventory covers at least the city boundary
- Reports the specific emissions Protocol used, and which emissions factors and global warming potentials have been used in the calculation of the inventory
- Reports total emissions, total Scope 1 and Scope 2 city-wide emissions
- Reports a breakdown of emissions as per the relevant emissions methodology (e.g. by sector and scope)
- Explains how and why emissions have changed compared to previous inventories (if any)
- Reports on the status of verification of the city-wide emissions inventory
Management criteria
- Attaches evidence of a city-wide emissions inventory
- Has a reduction in emissions compared to previous inventories, or if emissions have increased, provides a reasonable explanation such as improved data accuracy
- Reports on whether the city-wide emissions inventory has been verified or not
Leadership criteria
Essential criteria: Must have a city-wide emissions inventory
- Provides city-wide emissions inventory, including the main Kyoto Protocol gases (CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6, NF3)
- Attaches evidence of a city-wide emissions inventory which includes relevant emissions from Scope 3 sources
- Reports sector breakdown of emissions covering the main sources of emissions as defined by the relevant protocol
- Emissions have reduced since the last inventory, and describes how actions have resulted in reductions, including the amount of emissions reduced
- Emissions verified with verification certificate reported
- Has undertaken or intends to undertake a consumption-based inventory in the next 2 years
Scoring criteria - Emissions reduction
The questions in this section are scored under Mitigation
Disclosure criteria
- Reports on the status of a climate change action plan for the city, with details of the plan or a reasoning for not having a plan
- Reports on the status of a city-wide emissions reduction target, with details of the target or a reasoning for not having a target
- Reports on the actions undertaken by the city to reduce city-wide emissions
Awareness criteria
- Has a climate action plan covering at least the city boundary or is in the process of developing an action plan
- Reports the areas covered by the action plan
- If no action plan is developed, provides a reasonable response for not having an action plan
- Provides details on the city-wide emissions reduction target such as which sector’s the target applies to
- If the city does not have an emissions reduction target, a reasonable response is provided
- Reports emissions reduction (mitigation) actions along with the co-benefits expected from these actions
Management criteria
Essential criteria: Must attach a city-wide action or adaptation plan
- Has implemented a city-wide action plan
- Reports on actions currently being implemented to reduce City-wide and Local Government Operations emissions
- Reports targets that demonstrate at least 2% annual emissions reductions (based on target start year – target year)
Leadership criteria
Essential criteria: Must attach a city-wide action plan. Must have a city-wide emissions reduction target.
- Has implemented a robust city-wide action plan with processes in place for regular review and update
- Has implemented emissions reduction activities and reports the status of financing of these activities quantified
- Describes the scale and resultant impact expected from mitigation activities
- Must have a fully reported city-wide emissions reduction target to qualify for Leadership
- Setting bold, long and medium term city-wide reduction targets (multiple targets)
- Emissions reduction target demonstrates at least 5% annual city-wide emissions reductions (based on target start year – target year)
- Emissions reduction target is on track to be achieved
Scoring criteria - Local Government Emissions
The questions in this section are scored under Mitigation
Disclosure criteria
- Reports on whether a Local Government Operations emissions inventory has been conducted
If an inventory does exist:
- Reports the accounting year, boundary, methodology and gases included in the inventory
- Reports the total (Scope 1 + Scope 2) and breakdown of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions
- Indicates whether Scope 3 emissions are measured, with any details or reasonings
- Reports on the difference between the current and previous inventories with an explanation
- Reports on whether the emissions data has been externally verified or audited, and if not, an explanation is provided
Awareness criteria
- Has or intends to undertake a Local Government Operations emissions inventory
If a Local government operations emissions inventory exists:
- Includes CO2 emissions, has a 12-month accounting period, inventory boundary, emissions protocol and total emissions
- Reports the total Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions of the local government inventory
- Calculates Scope 3 emissions or provides a reason for not measuring scope 3 emissions
- Understands the change in emissions from previous inventories (if any)
Management criteria
- Has a reduction in emissions compared to previous inventories, or if emissions have increased, provides a reason explanation such as improved data accuracy
- Local government emissions have been verified or verification is planned in the next 2 years
Leadership criteria
- Provides total Local Government Operations emissions inventory, including the main Kyoto Protocol gases (CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6, NF3)
- Emissions have reduced since the last inventory, and describes how actions have resulted in reductions, including the amount of emissions reduced
- Emissions have been verified with verification certificate reported
- Scope 3 emissions reported
