Windsor Once Again on List of Climate Action Leaders

• Windsor is one of a new class of 119 cities to receive top score on climate action from environmental impact non-profit CDP.
• A-List cities build climate momentum, taking four times as many climate mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A Listers.
• Only 13% of cities that were scored in 2023 received an A score.

Windsor has been recognized by CDP as one of 119 cities across the globe that are taking bold leadership on environmental action and transparency despite the pressures of a challenging global economic situation.

Designed to encourage and support cities to ramp up their climate action and ambition, CDP’s Cities A List is based on environmental data disclosed by cities to CDP-ICLEI Track. A clear momentum in city climate disclosure and action is building: over 900 cities (939 in total) received a rating for their climate action from CDP this year. In 2023, just over one in ten cities scored by CDP (13% of such cities) received an A.

To score an A, among other actions, a city must disclose publicly through CDP-ICLEI Track, have a city-wide emissions inventory and have published a climate action plan. It must also complete a climate risk and vulnerability assessment and have a climate adaptation goal to demonstrate how it will tackle climate hazards. Many A List cities are also taking a variety of other leadership actions, including political commitment from a city’s mayor to tackle climate change.

“Climate change is something that our city’s administration and employees have been working diligently to combat for several years now,” says Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “I’m very proud of the fact that, out of close to a thousand global cities, Windsor is in the top 13% to receive an A, and that this is the third time appearing on this prestigious list. We continue to show our climate leadership through concerted and effective action, making a difference for the residents of Windsor not only today but for generations to come.”

Windsor and the other 118 cities on this year’s A List are also celebrated for showing that urgent and impactful climate action – from ambitious emissions reduction targets to building resilience against climate change – is achievable at a global level, and in cities with different climate realities and priorities. However, this action needs to go further and faster.

City of Windsor Supervisor of Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Karina Richters says the plan is to continue to work towards implementing strong climate action plans on both mitigation and adaptation. “The City is working on a number of projects that will result in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, including but not limited to energy conservation, electrification of vehicles, and renewable energy solutions.” Richters also acknowledges the need to build community resiliency to reduce the risk of our future climate hazards. Examples of these projects include undertaking infrastructure projects to reduce the risk of flooding, improving thermal comfort under extreme heat and protecting and enhancing biodiversity.