US scorecard: Cities embrace equity goals in climate efforts, but more action needed

(ACEEE blog, 30 Apr 2024) Large U.S. cities are increasingly working to center racial and social equity in their climate and clean energy priorities, but there’s a significant gap in translating ambitions for equitable outcomes into specific policies and programs, according to the 2024 City Clean Energy Scorecard.

The new report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) ranks 75 of the largest U.S. cities on energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and identifies the best-performing cities, the most improved, and those with substantial room for improvement, with recommendations for making progress. 

Read the Scorecard

San Francisco topped the Scorecard for the second time and scored best on equity metrics. It recently enacted ambitious new climate and transportation plans and has updated zoning codes to encourage more compact development in residential areas. Denver (#2) moved up five spots after adopting energy efficiency requirements for existing buildings and providing support for affordable housing to meet the standards. Seattle (#3) provides no-cost heat pumps to income-qualified households and offers free transit passes for public housing residents. Rounding out the top ten are Los Angeles (#4), Oakland (#5), Minneapolis (#6), New York City (#7), Portland (#8), San José (#9) and Washington, DC (#10).

External link

ACEEE blog, 30 Apr 2024: US scorecard: Cities embrace equity goals in climate efforts, but more action needed