San Francisco Becomes an 8-Time Global "A-List" Climate Action Leader

San Francisco Becomes an 8-Time Global “A-List” Climate Action Leader

 This most recent award marks San Francisco’s 8th consecutive year as a global climate action leader, continuing its legacy of improving the quality of life for all San Franciscans.

San Francisco, CA — The City and County of San Francisco, through the climate leadership of the San Francisco Environment Department (SF Environment) and other City agencies, has been named to the 2025 A List, the highest environmental rating available from CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project).

CDP is the largest global independent environmental disclosure system that recognizes global leadership in environmental transparency, climate action, and resilience planning. For the past 30 years, SF Environment has been San Francisco’s climate accountability, coordination, and equity engine turning climate goals into positive health and economic outcomes for all San Franciscans. In 2025, 738 cities and 91 states and regions submitted for scoring. San Francisco was one of 120 cities, and California was one of only two states, that received an A rating.

“San Francisco has long been a leader in climate action and a hub for innovative climate solutions, and this 'A-list' rating shows that our administration is continuing that legacy,” said Mayor Lurie. “It’s an honor for our city to receive this recognition, and we will keep doing the hard work to keep our city clean and deliver results for San Franciscans.” 

Achieving an “A” places San Francisco among leaders demonstrating comprehensive disclosure, mature environmental governance, and meaningful progress towards climate goals. A key component of receiving the prestigious A-list rating is San Francisco’s robust Climate Action Plan, which is currently being updated and will be released this year. The plan lays out updated goals and actions across seven sectors such as energy supply, building operations, and transportation, to eliminate climate pollution and reach net-zero emissions by 2040.

“CDP’s A List evaluates whether cities are backing their climate goals with plans, data, and risk planning,” said Tyrone Jue, Director of the San Francisco Environment Department. “Eight years on that list reflects the work our departments and community partners are doing to cut climate pollution and protect public health in every neighborhood.”

San Francisco’s environmental leadership has shown how climate action directly improves quality of life for San Franciscans - delivering cleaner air and better public health, safer neighborhoods, and cleaner transportation options, lower long-term energy bills, more housing near jobs and schools, and more access to nature. Climate action for San Francisco is not just an environmental agenda. It is integral to keeping residents safe, making the city more affordable and livable for families, revitalizing downtown, and strengthening the economy.

As of 2022, San Francisco has already reduced emissions by 48% from 1990 levels and has made significant progress to support the City’s economy and improve the quality of life in our communities. By expanding vehicle charging, supporting small businesses to go green, and training and upskilling contractors, SF Environment brings down emissions while boosting economic opportunity.

The Cities A List, and the States and Regions A List, illustrate how local governments are turning disclosure into action: identifying climate risks, shaping investment strategies, and deploying replicable, high-impact solutions that support resilient and sustainable economic development

“Cities play a decisive role in shaping a resilient and earth-positive future. When local governments commit to transparent disclosure, robust climate planning and clear adaptation strategies, they not only protect their communities but also unlock opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth. Their leadership shows how data-driven climate action can strengthen both people and the planet.” said Sherry Madera, CEO of CDP.

To achieve an “A” score, a city must meet a series of robust leadership criteria. This includes publicly disclosing environmental data through the CDP-ICLEI Track platform, maintaining a comprehensive city-wide emissions inventory, and publishing a credible climate action plan. Cities must also complete a full climate risk and vulnerability assessment that outlines how they will address current and future climate hazards.  2025 marks the eight consecutive year that SF Environment has been awarded an “A-list” rating. San Francisco has earned an A rating every year since it started submitting climate data to CDP in 2018. 

About SF Environment

Now in its 30th year, SF Environment is the City’s climate accountability, coordination, and equity engine, advancing climate protection to enhance quality of life for all San Franciscans. SF Environment is recognized worldwide for its environmental policies and programs, which center on reducing emissions, achieving zero waste, reducing toxic chemical hazards, advancing environmental justice, promoting sustainable transportation modes, expanding clean energy infrastructure, greening our built environment, and protecting our urban forest.

About CDP

CDP is a global non-profit that runs the world’s only independent environmental disclosure system. As the founder of environmental reporting, CDP believes in transparency and the power of data to drive change. Partnering with leaders in enterprise, capital, policy and science, we surface the information needed to enable Earth-positive decisions. CDP helped more than 24,800 companies and almost 1,000 cities, states and regions disclose their environmental impacts in 2024. Financial institutions with more than a quarter of the world’s institutional assets use CDP data to help inform investment and lending decisions. Aligned with the ISSB’s climate standard, IFRS S2, as its foundational baseline, CDP integrates best practice reporting standards and frameworks in one place. Our team is truly global, united by our shared desire to build a world where people, planet and profit are truly balanced. Visit CDP.net or follow us @‌CDP to find out more.

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