Introduction to Scoring

The CDP Scoring Methodology is designed to incentivize jurisdictions’ transition towards resilience and net-zero through equitable environmental action. The scoring process is a valuable opportunity for jurisdictions to get feedback on their climate and environmental planning. Jurisdictions can use their score to benchmark their progress against others and to identify areas to improve on.

To receive scores which accurately reflect a jurisdiction’s climate and environmental actions, it is important that the questionnaire is answered as thoroughly as possible. Any actions or plans that are not reported within the questionnaire will not be reflected in the score.

Scores remain private to jurisdictions, but CDP recognizes leadership in climate action by highlighting those who receive an A score through an international media campaign.

CDP scores responses submitted in all languages. Responding in English is not a requirement to be on the A list and the language of submission will not impact a jurisdiction’s score.

Key changes to the 2023 Scoring Methodology

The new 2023 Cities Questionnaire

Increasing ambition

Scoring bands and thresholds

To progress from one level to the next, jurisdictions must pass the threshold at each scoring band. For example, a jurisdiction must receive enough points in the Disclosure band to pass the threshold before they will be scored in the next scoring band - Awareness. Jurisdictions do not need to meet every criterion listed to pass the threshold of a particular scoring band. However, the more criteria they meet, the higher the chance that the jurisdiction will be able to earn enough points to surpass the threshold and be scored in the following band.

CDP provisionally sets the thresholds and these will be reviewed during the scoring period to ensure that the distribution of responses among scoring levels is representative of the current level of progress in the responding population as a whole. CDP reserves the right to adjust these thresholds at any point prior to the release of scores in order to best represent the overall state of progress of cities.

Essential criteria

Awareness, Management and Leadership bands have essential criteria which must be met to receive a score within those bands. For example, regardless of whether all other criteria are met:

• To achieve an Awareness score, Awareness essential criteria must be met;
• To achieve a Management score, Awareness and Management essential criteria must be met;
• To achieve a Leadership score, Awareness, Management and Leadership essential criteria must be met;
• To achieve an A score, Awareness, Management, Leadership and the additional A List essential criteria must be met.

Jurisdictions should ensure that they have attached all essential criteria documents before submitting their response to the 2023 questionnaire to receive a score which truly reflects their planning and actions.

Essential criteria for 2023

The only change to the essential criteria for 2023 is to the A list essential criteria. In 2023, jurisdictions are required to report BOTH a long-term and mid-term science-based target to score an A.

Awareness essential criteria

To score at least a C- or C, jurisdictions must:

• Report a climate hazard in question 1.2

Management essential criteria

To score at least a B- or B, jurisdictions must:

• At least be intending to undertake a climate risk and vulnerability assessment in the next two years in question 1.1
• Have a community-wide inventory and attach or provide a weblink to their inventory in question 2.1a
• Have either an integrated climate plan OR a standalone mitigation plan OR a standalone adaptation plan and attach or provide a weblink to the plan in question 7.1a

Leadership essential criteria

To score at least an A-, jurisdictions must:

• Have a climate risk and vulnerability assessment and attach or provide a weblink to the assessment in question 1.1a
• Have a fully reported adaptation goal in question 4.1a

- Fully reported means: adaptation goal, climate hazard that goal addresses, target year of goal are all complete and target year of goal is in the future.




• Have a fully reported emissions reduction target in question 5.1a

If the target type is Base year emissions (absolute); Base year intensity; or Baseline scenario:

- Fully reported means: target type, boundary of target relative to jurisdiction boundary, are carbon credits currently used or planned to be used to achieve this target, base year, target year, percentage of emissions reduction, and net emissions in target year are all complete and target year is in the future and boundary of the target relative to the jurisdiction boundary must be “same” or “larger”.

If the target type is Fixed-level:

- Fully reported means: target type, boundary of target relative to jurisdiction boundary, are carbon credits currently used or planned to be used to achieve this target, target year, and net emissions in target year are all complete and target year is in the future and boundary of the target relative to the jurisdiction must be “same” or “larger”.




• Have either an integrated climate plan, OR a standalone mitigation plan AND a standalone adaptation plan and attach or provide a weblink to the plan in question 7.1a

A list essential criteria

To score an A, jurisdictions must:

• Demonstrate leadership in target setting by reporting targets aligned with the latest science on limiting the most harmful impacts of climate change. A science-based target should include both a long-term net-zero target (by 2050) and a mid-term target that is aligned with a fair share of limiting global warming to 1.5˚C. In 2023, jurisdictions are required to report both a long-term and mid-term science-based target to score an A.
• Submit their response publicly
• Note that stricter criteria for attachments may be introduced in future years




Scores jurisdictions will receive in 2023

Jurisdictions who submit a response to the 2023 Cities Questionnaire before the scoring deadline 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.



The table below specifies which sections of the questionnaire are assessed in either the Adaptation or Mitigation sub-score.

Section of the Questionnaire	Inclusion in Sub-scores
Demographic/Geographic Data	Both Adaptation & Mitigation
Climate Risk and Vulnerability	Adaptation
Emissions Inventory	Mitigation
Energy Data	Mitigation
Transport Data	Mitigation
Waste Data	Mitigation
Public Health Data	Adaptation
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene	Adaptation
Food Data	Adaptation
Adaptation Goals	Adaptation
Mitigation Targets	Mitigation
Sector Targets	Mitigation
Climate Action Planning	Both Adaptation & Mitigation
Finance	Both Adaptation & Mitigation
Adaptation Actions	Adaptation
Mitigation Actions	Mitigation

Cities 2023 High-Level Scoring Methodology

The high-level scoring methodology details the main actions which we expect of jurisdictions. Details are presented for each scoring band across each section scored in the 2023 questionnaire. To see the full version of the 2023 Cities Scoring Methodology, which details the point allocations for each question in the questionnaire, click here.

Scoring criteria - Demographic / Geographic Data

The question in this section is scored under both Adaptation and Mitigation

Disclosure

• Provides any details available to the jurisdiction or specifies where they do not have the data

Awareness

• Demonstrates an awareness of the percentage range of land area that is green space within the jurisdiction

Management

• The jurisdiction has at least 20% green space covering their land area

Leadership

• This section is not assessed at Leadership level

Scoring criteria - Climate Risk and Vulnerability

The questions in this section are scored under Adaptation

Disclosure

• Reports on the status of a climate risk and vulnerability assessment
• If a climate risk and vulnerability assessment exists, any details available to the jurisdiction are provided
• Identifies any significant climate-related hazards
• If a significant climate hazard is identified, any details available to the jurisdiction are provided or where data is not available this has been specified
• Identifies any factors that affect the jurisdiction’s ability to adapt to climate change
• If factors have been identified, any details available to the jurisdiction are provided

Awareness

Reporting a climate hazard is an essential criteria for Awareness

• Has a climate risk and vulnerability assessment, or is planning to undertake one within the next two years
• If a climate risk and vulnerability assessment exists, demonstrates an awareness of the factors covered by the assessment and the boundary of the assessment
• Demonstrates awareness of the vulnerable populations exposed to the identified significant climate hazards
• Identifies sectors which are most exposed to the climate hazards facing the jurisdiction
• Reports the factors that affect the jurisdiction’s ability to adapt to climate change and whether these factors support or challenge the jurisdiction’s ability to adapt

Management

At least intending to undertake a climate risk and vulnerability assessment in the next two years is an essential criteria for Management

• Has a risk and vulnerability assessment that considers vulnerable populations
• Has established processes to update the assessment at least every five years, and to prioritize identified hazards

Leadership

Having a climate risk and vulnerability assessment is an essential criteria for Leadership

• Incorporates identified climate hazards into the overall risk management framework
• The climate risk and vulnerability assessment considers a high emissions scenario
• The climate risk and vulnerability assessment considers water security, nature or transition risks
• Provides a detailed description of the impacts the climate hazards have on vulnerable populations or sectors, and is aware of the proportion of the total jurisdiction population affected by the climate hazards

Scoring criteria - Emissions Inventory

The questions in this section are scored under Mitigation

Disclosure

• Reports on the status of a community-wide emissions inventory
• If an inventory exists, any details available to the jurisdiction are provided or where data is not available this has been specified

Awareness

• Has an emissions inventory from the past six years, or is planning to undertake one in the next two years
• If an inventory exists:
  • It includes CO2 emissions and covers the jurisdiction boundary. If the inventory does not cover the jurisdiction boundary, an explanation is provided
  • The total scope 1 emissions, excluding the generation of grid-supplied energy, is reported

  Management

  Having a community-wide emissions inventory is an essential criteria for Management
  • Has a community-wide emissions inventory from the past five years which includes CO2, CH4 and N2O gases
  • Reports the total scope 2 emissions

  Leadership

  • Has a community-wide emissions inventory from the past four years which includes the main Kyoto Protocol gases (CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6, NF3)
  • Reports the total scope 3 emissions

Scoring criteria - Energy Assessment Data

The question in this section is scored under Mitigation

Disclosure

• Provides any details available to the jurisdiction or specifies where they do not have data

Awareness

• This section is not assessed at Awareness level

Management

• This section is not assessed at Management level

Leadership

• This section is not assessed at Leadership level

Scoring criteria - Transport Data

The question in this section is scored under Mitigation

Disclosure

• Provides any details available to the jurisdiction or specifies where they do not have data

Awareness

• Provides total mode share data for the jurisdiction

Management

• The percentage of passenger mode share by walking, cycling, micromobility, bus, rail/tram/metro, ferries/river boats, taxis/shared vehicles is at least 50%
• The jurisdiction reports the year passenger mode share data applies to

Leadership

• The percentage of passenger mode share by walking, cycling, micromobility, bus, rail/tram/metro, ferries/river boats, taxis/shared vehicles is at least 60%

Scoring criteria - Waste Data

The question in this section is scored under Mitigation

Disclosure

• Provides any details available to the jurisdiction or specifies where they do not have the data

Awareness

• This section is not assessed at Awareness level

Management

• This section is not assessed at Management level

Leadership

• This section is not assessed at Leadership level

Scoring criteria - Public Health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Data

The questions in this section are scored under Adaptation

Disclosure

• Provides any details available to the jurisdiction or specifies where they do not have the data

Awareness

• This section is not assessed at Awareness level

Management

• This section is not assessed at Management level

Leadership

• This section is not assessed at Leadership level

Scoring criteria - Food Data

The question in this section is scored under Adaptation

Disclosure

• Provides any details available to the jurisdiction or specifies where they do not have the data

Awareness

• This section is not assessed at Awareness level

Management

• This section is not assessed at Management level

Leadership

• This section is not assessed at Leadership level

Scoring criteria - Adaptation Goals

The questions in this section are scored under Adaptation

Disclosure

• Reports on the status of any adaptation goals
• If a goal exists, any details available to the jurisdiction are provided

Awareness

• Has an adaptation goal, or is planning to introduce a goal in the next two years
• If a goal exists, reports the base and target years and the climate hazard that the goal addresses

Management

• Reports at least one active adaptation goal addressing the climate hazards specified

Leadership

Having an adaptation goal is an essential criteria for Leadership

• Has short-medium term and long-term goals
• Describes how the jurisdiction uses metrics or indicators to track progress against their adaptation goals

Scoring criteria - Mitigation Targets

The questions in this section are scored under Mitigation

Disclosure

• Reports on the status of any mitigation targets
• If a target exists, any details available to the jurisdiction are provided or where data is not available this has been specified

Awareness

• Reports the base year (if applicable), the year the target was established and the target year correctly
• The target covers at least the same boundary as the jurisdiction. If the target does not cover the jurisdiction boundary, an explanation is provided
• The target covers more emissions sources than only energy, only transport, or only waste
• If carbon credits are used, demonstrates awareness of the type of carbon credit and the verification standard
• Jurisdiction is intending to set a science-based target in the next two years
• Demonstrates awareness on whether the target is aligned with the Nationally Determined Contribution
• Demonstrates awareness on any conditional components of the target

Management

• Reports a mid-term target (2023 – 2031) if the jurisdiction has an ambitious long-term target and the target covers more emissions sources than only energy, only transport, or only waste
• If carbon credits are used to achieve this target, demonstrates awareness of the number of carbon credits required
• Reports that the target is considered science based, and if known specifies which methodology it aligns to
• The target is at least as ambitious as the Nationally Determined Contribution

Leadership

Having a fully reported mitigation target is an essential criteria for Leadership.

Having a long-term net-zero target (by 2050) and a mid-term target that is aligned with a fair share of limiting global warning to 1.5˚C is an essential criteria for the A list. Guidance on science-based targets can be found here.

• Jurisdiction reports both a long-term net-zero target (by 2050) and a mid-term target that is aligned with a fair share of limiting global warming to 1.5˚C

Scoring criteria - Sector Targets

The question in this section is scored under Mitigation

Disclosure

• Provides any details of climate-related targets or specifies that they do not have any targets

Awareness

• Reports the base year (if applicable), the year the target was established and the target year correctly
• The target covers at least the same boundary as the jurisdiction. If the target does not cover the jurisdiction boundary, an explanation is provided
• Demonstrates awareness of how the target will be measured, and whether the target is publicly available

Management

• The target covers at least the same boundary as the jurisdiction and is publicly available

Leadership

• An ambitious renewable energy target has been reported (unless >70% renewable electricity consumption has been reported in question 3.1)
• Reports a modal share transport target

Scoring criteria - Climate Action Planning

The questions in this section are scored under both Adaptation and Mitigation

Disclosure

• Reports on the status of a climate action plan or strategy
• If a climate action plan or strategy exists, any details available to the jurisdiction are provided

Awareness

Note: maximum points are available for jurisdictions with an “integrated climate plan” or jurisdictions with a “standalone mitigation plan” AND a “standalone adaptation plan”

• Has a climate action plan or strategy, or is planning to undertake one in the next two years
• If a climate action plan or strategy exists:
  • The plan covers at least the same boundary as the jurisdiction. If the plan does not cover the jurisdiction boundary, an explanation is provided
  • Demonstrates that stakeholders were engaged in the process of developing the plan
  • Reports the processes for either monitoring, evaluation, or updates
  • Identifies funding sources which were used to finance the plan or strategy

Management

Having an Adaptation Plan OR an Action plan is an essential criteria for Management

Note: maximum points are available for jurisdictions with an “integrated climate plan” or jurisdictions with a “standalone mitigation plan” AND a “standalone adaptation plan”

• Engages vulnerable populations among other stakeholders during the development of the plan
• The plan is updated and evaluated at least every five years, and information on the progress of the plan is publicly reported at least every five years

Leadership

Having an Adaptation Plan AND an Action Plan is an essential criteria for Leadership

Note: maximum points are available for jurisdictions with an “integrated climate plan” or jurisdictions with a “standalone mitigation plan” AND a “standalone adaptation plan”

• Engages multiple stakeholders including vulnerable populations, citizens, businesses and private sector, and governments during the development of the plan
• The plan is evaluated at least every three years, and information on the progress of the plan is publicly reported at least every three years

Scoring criteria - Finance

The question in this section is scored under both Adaptation and Mitigation. This question supports participation in CDP's Matchmaker program

Disclosure

• Provides any details available to the jurisdiction or specifies where they do not have the data

Awareness

• This section is not assessed at Awareness

Management

• This section is not assessed at Management

Leadership

• This section is not assessed at Leadership

Scoring criteria - Adaptation Actions

The question in this section is scored under Adaptation

Disclosure

• Reports on the status of any adaptation actions
• If an adaptation action exists, any details available to the jurisdiction are provided or where data is not available this has been specified

Awareness

• Demonstrates awareness of the actions being taken to reduce the jurisdiction's vulnerability from climate change impacts and the sectors that the adaptation actions applies to
• Identifies and provides details of any potential co-benefits of the action
• Identifies and provides details of any funding sources used to realize the action

Management

• Reports the timeframe for which the increased resilience is expected to last

Leadership

• Demonstrates that all identified climate hazards are being addressed by adaptation actions
• Has at least one adaptation action which is expected to provide medium or long-term resilience

Scoring criteria - Mitigation Actions

The question in this section is scored under Mitigation

Disclosure

• Reports on the status of any mitigation actions
• If a mitigation action exists, any details available to the jurisdiction are provided or where data is not available this has been specified

Awareness

• Identifies and provides details of any potential co-benefits of the action
• Identifies and provides details of any funding sources used to realize the action
• Provides details on the primary emissions sector addressed by the action and states how the jurisdiction measures the impact of the action

Management

• Reports actions which address two of the three high impact sectors of waste, transport, and energy
• Provides an estimate of the impact of the action, in terms of emissions or energy savings or renewable energy generation achieved in the reporting year

Leadership

• The mitigation action(s) are making progress towards the emissions reductions required to meet the mitigation targets detailed in question 5.1a

To see the full version of the 2023 Cities Scoring Methodology, which details the point allocations for each question in the questionnaire, click here.