Belfast Wins Earth Day Climate Honours for Fourth Consecutive Year
Belfast City Council has retained its A-grade status from the Carbon Disclosure Project for climate action for the fourth consecutive year, with the achievement announced on Earth Day 22 April — making Belfast the only city on the island of Ireland to achieve the CDP's highest possible rating, placing it alongside global leaders including New York, Paris, and Melbourne.
The city also hosted a major participatory gathering at Queen's University Belfast focused on building a more equitable and sustainable economy, underscoring Belfast's growing reputation as a centre of climate leadership and progressive economic thinking.
Background
The Carbon Disclosure Project is a non-profit global disclosure system that enables cities, companies, states, and regions to measure and manage their environmental impacts. An A-grade is the highest possible score and signifies that a city is a global leader in climate action. The assessment process is rigorous, evaluating cities across four levels — disclosure, awareness, management, and leadership — with the A-grade reserved for those demonstrating best practice, ambitious science-based targets, and a clear vision for a climate-safe future.
Belfast's journey to climate leadership has been built on a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach developed over the past decade. The city's Net-Zero Carbon Roadmap, developed in partnership with the Belfast Climate Commission — a dedicated body co-chaired with Queen's University Belfast — outlines a clear pathway to carbon neutrality. The roadmap is supported by the Belfast Local Area Energy Plan, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, which provides a detailed, data-driven approach to transitioning to clean energy across the city.
Key Developments
Belfast's A-grade reflects a series of concrete achievements in reducing the city's carbon footprint. Over 200 venues in Belfast, including iconic buildings such as Belfast Zoo and City Hall, are now powered by 100% renewable energy from a local wind farm. The city's One Million Trees Campaign aims to plant one million native trees across Belfast by 2035, with 40,000 planted in the first year alone. Solar energy pilots, including a project at Donegall Pass Community Centre, are exploring the potential for wider adoption across council properties, while sustainable transport initiatives are promoting cycling, walking, and public transport to reduce pollution and congestion.
On Earth Day 2026, Queen's University Belfast hosted a significant event titled "An Economy of Enough in a Time of Crisis and Opportunity." Organised by the climate justice network Join the Dots Together in collaboration with the university's Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action, the participatory gathering featured "World Café" conversations aimed at fostering dialogue and practical action towards building an economy that respects both people and the planet.
Why It Matters
Belfast's fourth consecutive CDP A-grade is more than a badge of honour — it is evidence that sustained, ambitious climate action at the local government level can deliver measurable results. The city has set targets of a 66% reduction in carbon emissions from 2000 levels by 2025, an 80% reduction by 2030, and full carbon neutrality by 2050. Achieving these targets in a city that has undergone enormous economic and social transformation over the past three decades, while managing the legacy of industrial decline and the ongoing challenges of post-conflict regeneration, is a significant accomplishment.
The recognition also carries economic significance. Cities with strong climate credentials are increasingly attractive to investors, businesses, and talent who prioritise environmental, social, and governance standards. Belfast's climate leadership is becoming a competitive advantage in the global race for investment and skilled workers, complementing the city's growing reputation in technology, financial services, and the creative industries.
Local Impact
For Belfast's residents, the practical benefits of the city's climate action programme are tangible. Renewable energy powering public buildings reduces costs and carbon emissions simultaneously. Tree planting improves air quality, mental health, and biodiversity in urban neighbourhoods. Sustainable transport investment makes the city more liveable and reduces the cost of commuting for those who can access it. The Belfast Climate Commission's work ensures that the city's climate strategy is grounded in scientific evidence and community engagement, rather than political aspiration alone. The challenge ahead is ensuring that the transition to a low-carbon economy is managed in a way that is fair and inclusive, particularly for communities that have historically been most exposed to environmental harm and least able to benefit from green investment.
What's Next
Belfast will continue to implement its Local Area Energy Plan, with five priority projects including a District Heat Network, building retrofit programmes, rooftop solar PV, solar carports with electric vehicle charging stations, and a transition from oil to low-carbon heating for households. The city's ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 will require sustained political commitment and significant investment over the coming decades. Belfast City Council's climate change hub and the CDP's cities scoring methodology provide the full picture of what this achievement represents and what it takes to earn it.
