Madison Listed as Top Midsized Metro Area for Advancing Sustainability Goals

I have two major sustainability accomplishments to share today. First, we emerged as the top performer among midsize metro areas in the latest City Clean Energy Scorecard released from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Second, we completed a greenhouse gas inventory for both community-wide emissions and government operations. These recent achievements reflect our dedication to promoting accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement in our sustainability initiatives.

A sign of our progress can be seen in the ACEEE’s latest City Clean Energy Scorecard. In 2024, Madison emerged as the top performer among midsize metro areas. We are now ranked 21st out of 75 cities nationwide. This improved score is due in no small part to our many recent sustainability wins.

Our new greenhouse gas inventories are an important tool in tracking progress and will help us identify areas for improvement in our work against climate change. At the heart of these inventories lies a crucial understanding: to effectively address climate change, we must first measure our impact. By tracking our greenhouse gas emissions, we gain invaluable insights into the sources of our carbon footprint, allowing us to develop targeted strategies and policies to mitigate our environmental impact.  

These greenhouse gas inventories reveal that community-wide emissions have decreased by 8.1% from 2018 to 2022, while our municipal operations have also seen a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, down by 6.7%, over the same period. As you review these inventories, remember that numbers from 2022 are likely influenced by the later effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, we have achieved tangible, encouraging results.

These emission reductions and subsequent recognition are more than just a collection of numbers and awards – they are a testament to the dedication and hard work of the City, community leaders, local businesses, and everyone who calls Madison home. It reflects the collective work of countless individuals who have embraced the challenge of building a more sustainable Madison. By documenting our emissions and progress towards reduction goals, we ensure that our actions are not just goals but tangible steps towards a cleaner, healthier environment.

For more details on Madison’s performance and to explore the full ACEEE City Clean Energy Scorecard, visit ACEEE City Clean Energy Scorecard.