CDP - the non-profit which runs the world’s environmental reporting system for companies, cities, states and regions - is partnering with ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, the Under2 Coalition and Regions4 Sustainable Development’s climate initiative, RegionsAdapt, to become the global progress tracker for states and regions on the impactful UN-backed Race to Zero and Race to Resilience climate campaigns.
The Race to Zero and Race to Resilience bring together non-state actors, such as cities, states and regions, with the private sector and the financial community to increase climate investment in cities, states and regions, align climate targets and create a zero-carbon and resilient future.
Through its partnerships with ICLEI, the Under2 Coalition and the RegionsAdapt initiative, CDP will enable each partner’s networks of states and regions to report climate action progress to the Races, and to receive additional support, such as linking net-zero cities with one another, peer learning on tracking progress to net zero and resilience goals, and technical support.
Driving financial engagement and investment
The organizations are also introducing a revised, streamlined questionnaire for states and regions, reflecting the strong, and growing, interest capital markets are taking in them. The questionnaire, first launched in 2018, is also now aligned for the first time with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), on governance, strategy, risk management, metrics and targets, which will enable states and regions to attract greater investment and to engage with investors.
“In 2021, 96 states and regions – representing over 499 million people – reported their climate data through CDP. Our fantastic partnerships will enable many more to do so, and take this critical step in understanding, measuring and managing their environmental footprint, while our new questionnaire will deepen their engagement with the investment community that can help turn their climate aspirations into climate action”, Kyra Appleby, CDP Global Director of Cities, States and Regions, said.
Reporting climate data enables states and regions - 82% of which say they are facing climate risks1 - to demonstrate their commitment to tackling climate change, as well as their transparency and accountability on their journey to a resilient and net-zero future. It also gives them the opportunity to identify gaps and opportunities in their government’s climate strategy.
As urgent climate action is needed from governments and non-state actors, like states and regions, the reporting of climate data takes on a critical new importance. By measuring and understanding their climate impact, states and regions can more effectively manage and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Nigel Topping, UN High-Level Climate Action Champion for COP26, said:
“State and regional governments across the world play a vital role in driving climate action and delivering sustainable economies.
“It’s really encouraging that, through CDP’s partnerships with ICLEI, the Under2 Coalition and RegionsAdapt, ever greater numbers of states and regions will report their environmental impact and report progress against their Race to Zero and Race to Resilience commitments. This will help them act as sustainable examples for their peers to follow.”
Maryke van Staden, Director of ICLEI’s carbonn Climate Center, said:
“As the climate crisis becomes more urgent with each day that passes, so too do the actions of the world’s states and regions. By reporting their climate data, they can take the first step in acting to protect their populations, businesses, infrastructure and natural environment. They can also help secure greater access to finance to implement the initiatives their areas need to create a more sustainable world.”
Tim Ash Vie, Director of the Under2 Coalition Secretariat at Climate Group, said:
“As the consequences of climate change become more severe, all levels of government need to act with urgency - and they must be held accountable for that action. Annual reporting through CDP helps states and regions to demonstrate progress against the commitments they have made and puts pressure on national governments to follow their example.”
Héloïse Chicou, Global Climate Engagement and Advocacy Manager,
Regions4 Sustainable Development, said:
“The recent IPCC report on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation shows the urgency for all actors to mitigate and adapt to climate change, with the real risk of zones of no return. For this, multi-level engagement and governance is key, and regional governments and states are leading the way in developing innovative solutions.
“RegionsAdapt is committed, through the Race to Resilience and towards the UNFCCC, to report the progress of regions and states. We encourage all regions and states to join us to make this possible and report their progress. We will support regions through our community of practice to gain knowledge to improve their own resilient pathways.”
Senator Prof. Benedict Ayade, Governor of Cross River State (Nigeria) said:
“Climate change is a problem that knows no borders. In every corner of the globe, states and regions are dealing with, and adapting to, the ravaging effects of this truly international issue.
“Yet states and regions, like Cross River State, also hold the key to effectively tackling climate change. Reporting climate data through CDP offers the best way for them to understand their impact, commit to mitigation and adaptation action and to work with the private sector to turn it into reality.”