The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has recognized Madison, Wisconsin as a leading mid-size metropolitan area in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promoting racial and climate equity. This recognition came as part of the 2024 City Clean Energy Scorecard, where Madison was praised for its efforts to save energy, reduce GHG emissions, and set goals to decrease vehicle miles traveled.
Madison has implemented various programs to increase sustainability and awareness around GHG, such as a new bus rapid transit line and neighborhood-level air quality monitoring. Jessica Price, Madison’s sustainability and resilience manager, highlighted these initiatives during a recent webinar discussing the city’s sustainability efforts.
San Francisco claimed the top spot in the overall ranking, with other cities like Denver, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Oakland following closely behind. San Francisco’s focus on reducing GHG emissions and increasing climate resilience is rooted in equity and environmental justice, as emphasized by Tyrone Jue, director of the San Francisco Environment Department.
The 2024 scorecard placed a greater emphasis on evaluating environmental racial and social equity initiatives. While some cities have made progress in this area, there is still room for improvement. ACEEE senior local policy manager, Stefen Samarripas, noted that more cities need to adopt equity-driven policies, programs, and projects.
Transportation remains a key sector for cities to make significant strides in reducing GHG emissions. Public transit plays a crucial role in this effort, as seen in San Francisco where investments in bus rapid transit lanes have led to increased ridership. Jue emphasized the importance of making public transit systems quick, reliable, and efficient to attract more riders.
For mid-size and growing cities looking to improve their ranking, focusing on transportation can lead to positive outcomes. By investing in public transit and other low-carbon forms of transportation, cities can make progress in reducing GHG emissions and promoting sustainability.
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