Bloomington, Indiana – For the second year in a row, the City of Bloomington has secured a place among the world’s most transparent and proactive communities when it comes to environmental action. The recognition comes from CDP, a global nonprofit organization that evaluates environmental disclosure and performance for cities, businesses, and governments worldwide.
Bloomington once again earned the organization’s highest possible score—an “A”—for its environmental reporting and climate planning efforts. The same top rating was awarded to the city the previous year, marking a continued streak of leadership in sustainability and transparency. In 2025, CDP evaluated 738 cities across the globe, but only 120 achieved the coveted A status, placing Bloomington among a relatively small group of high-performing communities.
The scoring system focuses not only on what cities promise but also on how clearly they report their progress and how thoroughly they plan for future risks. An A score indicates strong environmental transparency, effective climate action strategies, and detailed resilience planning. For Bloomington, the repeated recognition reflects ongoing work to monitor emissions, prepare for climate challenges, and implement practical solutions.
City officials say the recognition is a sign that local policies and investments are making a measurable impact. Over the past several years, Bloomington has focused on programs designed to help residents, businesses, and community organizations participate in sustainability efforts. These initiatives include grants and rebates that support energy efficiency improvements and climate-friendly projects.
“Bloomington is proud to be recognized as one of the top sustainability leaders in the nation,” said Shawn Miya, Assistant Director of Sustainability. “We are grateful for the opportunity to support our residents, small businesses, and nonprofits with grant and rebate programs that help to move the needle from ideas to project implementation. Each investment in municipal and community projects helps us reach our goal of net zero emissions by 2050.”
Achieving A-List status requires cities to meet strict reporting standards. Bloomington, like other top-ranked communities, must disclose detailed information through CDP-ICLEI Track, an international climate reporting platform. The requirements include compiling a comprehensive citywide emissions inventory, conducting a climate risk and vulnerability assessment, and maintaining a publicly available climate action plan.
These elements are considered essential because they allow residents, policymakers, and outside observers to understand both the challenges a city faces and the steps being taken to address them. In Bloomington’s case, the city has also created a Climate Action Dashboard that provides public access to key data. Residents can view emissions figures, learn about local climate risks, and see how the city’s climate strategies aim to reduce environmental impacts.
Local officials emphasize that transparency plays a central role in the city’s approach. By making data accessible and clearly communicating progress, Bloomington aims to encourage community participation and maintain accountability. Leaders say this openness also helps guide future decision-making by identifying areas that need improvement.
The recognition highlights a broader trend in climate governance, where cities are increasingly taking a leading role. While national policies often receive the most attention, local governments frequently drive practical changes through infrastructure investments, energy programs, and community partnerships.
Bloomington’s continued presence on CDP’s A-List underscores the importance of sustained effort rather than one-time achievements. Maintaining a top rating requires ongoing reporting, updated planning, and measurable progress over time. City officials say that long-term commitment will remain critical as the community works toward its target of achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century.
As environmental challenges continue to grow worldwide, Bloomington’s recognition serves as an example of how local leadership, transparent reporting, and consistent planning can work together. For residents, it also represents reassurance that their city is actively preparing for the future while inviting public involvement in shaping that path.
