The City of Hoboken was recognized by environmental impact nonprofit, CDP, as one of 119 cities from across the world for its leadership on environmental action. Of the 939 participating cities, Hoboken was one of only a few municipalities to receive a top score from the CDP, as just over one in 10 cities received an A. According to the CDP, as an A List City, Hoboken has taken four times as many climate action mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A List cities.
"I thank the CDP for acknowledging the City of Hoboken on its distinguished A list, recognizing our unwavering commitment to combatting climate change,” said Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla. “This achievement is a testament to the collective efforts of our community and the strides we have taken to address and adapt to the challenges posed by a changing climate. I encourage fellow municipalities to join the global movement towards sustainability as local climate action can foster a healthier, more sustainable environment for the betterment of all.”
Mayor Bhalla signed an executive order in 2019 implementing the City’s Climate Action Plan, which provides key action items to further the City’s goals to be carbon neutral by 2050 and net-zero energy by 2030.
Hoboken's recent Climate Action Plan initiatives have included an expansion of Hoboken’s residential composting drop-off program, launch of the City’s textile recycling drop-off program, expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, providing renewable electricity for homeowners up to 100 percent, launching a new community solar program with the Hoboken Housing Authority, and banning plastic bags and Styrofoam.
Hoboken also became the first municipality in New Jersey to file a lawsuit against nearly a dozen fossil fuel-related companies in 2020 for their decades-long campaign of misinformation that has directly contributed to the damaging effects of climate change in Hoboken.
Last month, the Hoboken also conducted its first Climate Stocktake & “mini-COP” to evaluate the City’s climate action and sustainability initiatives. This assessment will be used to identify gaps and update the City’s Climate Action Plan to help accelerate efforts to combat climate change.
Hoboken has also taken significant steps to adapt to more severe and frequent storms caused by climate change. This year, Hoboken opened ResilienCity Park, the largest resiliency park in the state of New Jersey, is capable of detaining up to 2 million gallons of stormwater during heavy rain events to help mitigate flooding. ResilienCity Park is part of the City’s comprehensive water management strategy to mitigate flooding through the “parks as defense” system. It is one of three resiliency parks in the City of Hoboken which together can detain up to 3 million gallons of stormwater.
Last month, Hoboken and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection also broke ground on the second phase of the Rebuild by Design project which will construct a resist barrier in northern and southern Hoboken in the shape of a park, murals, way finding signage, planters, and more to combat storm surge flooding.
For more information on the City’s Climate Action Plan, go to https://www.hobokennj.gov/resources/greenhouse-gas-emissions-inventory-and-climate-action-plan.
For more information on the CDP, go to https://www.cdp.net/en/cities/cities-scores.
About CDP
CDP is a global non-profit that runs the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states, and regions. Founded in 2000 and working with more than 740 financial institutions with over $136 trillion in assets, CDP pioneered using capital markets and corporate procurement to motivate companies to disclose their environmental impacts, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources and protect forests.
Over 24,000 organizations around the world disclosed data through CDP in 2023 - including listed companies worth two thirds of global market capitalization - and over 1,100 cities, states, and regions. CDP is a founding member of the Science Based Targets initiative, We Mean Business Coalition, The Investor Agenda and the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative. Visit cdp.net or follow at @CDP to find out more.
