Wellington Earns Climate A for Fifth Straight Year

Wellington has joined an exclusive club of global cities leading the charge against climate change, earning an A rating for the fifth year in a row.

The New Zealand capital is one of just 120 cities worldwide to receive the top climate leadership score from CDP, an international nonprofit that tracks environmental action. In 2025, only 16% of cities that reported their climate efforts achieved this prestigious A rating, making Wellington one of only two New Zealand cities on the list alongside Auckland.

So what does it take to earn an A? Cities must demonstrate ambitious emissions reduction targets, conduct thorough climate risk assessments, and develop concrete plans to build resilience against future climate hazards. Wellington checked every box.

Alison Howard, Wellington City Council's Manager of Climate Change Response, says the secret lies in tackling climate action from every angle. The city is building housing near key transit routes, expanding its bike network across the city, and upgrading waste management systems to cut landfill emissions. A new facility at Moa Point will minimize sludge and further reduce what ends up in landfills.

The council is also walking the talk by electrifying its own swimming pools and buildings. Meanwhile, a new inner city water reservoir nearing completion will strengthen emergency water supplies for future climate challenges.

The Ripple Effect

Wellington isn't stopping at local action. The city has plugged into global climate networks including the Global Covenant of Mayors and the Race to Zero campaign, sharing best practices with other forward thinking cities around the world.

Community groups are getting in on the action too. The council funds local climate projects and recently piloted an adaptation planning process with residents in Houghton Bay and Island Bay, using a cutting edge digital city model to make data driven decisions about flooding and coastal hazards.

This recognition proves that cities can lead the way on climate action while building stronger, more connected communities at the same time.