Hayward among leading group of cities scoring an “A” on climate leadership

HAYWARD, Calif., May 22, 2019—The City of Hayward has been recognized as a global leader in environmental action by the environmental-impact nonprofit CDP, making it onto CDP’s Cities A List.

Every year, more than 600 cities report their climate data through CDP’s environmental disclosure platform and in so doing demonstrate commitment, transparency and ambition in climate protection.  All disclosed data is made available free of charge on CDP’s Open Data Platform.

CDP, formerly Carbon Disclosure Project, is a not-for-profit charity based in the United Kingdom that runs a global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts.

For the first time earlier this month, CDP published its Cities A List to showcase local government climate leadership and encourage more cities to accelerate their climate action.  In 2018, CDP scored cities from A to D based on their disclosures for how effectively they are managing, measuring and working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and for adapting to climate risks.

Hayward was one of just seven percent of cities who reported their environmental data through CDP in 2018 to receive an A grade.

Among the projects, programs and policies that Hayward is undertaking and following to become more environmentally sustainable and reduce our carbon footprint are:

• Shoreline Master Plan – Hayward is working with the Hayward Area Shoreline Planning Agency to prepare for the future and address sea level rise by preparing a Shoreline Master Plan. For more information, please visit https://resilientca.org/case-studies/City-of-Hayward-Regional-Shoreline-Master-Plan/. 
• Zero Net Energy Facilities – The City has committed to make all new City Facilities Zero Net Energy (ZNE), meaning that they produce as much energy as they use. The City’s first ZNE project to be completed will be the new 21st Century Library and Community Learning Center. When it opens, it will be one of the largest public ZNE buildings in the country. To learn more:     https://www.hayward-ca.gov/discover/news/dec16/city-hayward-adopts-zero-net-energy-goal or   https://www.haywardlibrary.org/tagged/GREEN
• Renewable Energy Generation at City Facilities – Hayward is generating renewable electricity at several of its facilities, including the Water Pollution Control Facility, Animal Shelter, Corporation Yard, and Fire Stations. In total, the City is currently generating approximately 65 percent of its electricity needs. To lean more, visit:  https://www.hayward-ca.gov/your-environment/blog/surprising-sustainability-hayward-water-pollution-control-facility
• East Bay Community Energy – Hayward is one of eleven cities to join Alameda County to form East Bay Community Energy, a joint powers authority established to provide cleaner, greener energy at competitive rates. Most Hayward customers receive EBCE’s Brilliant 100 product, which is 100 percent carbon-free. To learn more, visit: https://ebce.org/
• Recycled Water Project – Hayward is developing a recycled water project that will deliver approximately 260,000 gallons of recycled water per day to local businesses for outdoor irrigation. The tertiary-treated water will be provided using ten miles of recently constructed distribution pipeline. For more information, please visit: https://www.hayward-ca.gov/your-government/departments/utilities-environmental-services/recycled-water

To learn more about CDP and for a description of the organization’s scoring methodology for the Cities A List go to CDP's website.