Tweed Shire Council has earned an A- rating from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) - one of the world's leading climate reporting frameworks. The result places the Tweed among just 30 Asia Pacific cities to reach that standard in 2025, alongside major centres including Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland and Wellington.
More than 1,000 cities, states and regions worldwide reported to CDP in 2025, with only 112 achieving an A or A- rating.
To reach the A‑ level, organisations must demonstrate strong climate governance, a comprehensive climate risk assessment, detailed emissions data and clear, evidence-based strategies aligned to long-term climate goals. The rating reflects the importance of climate action to both the Tweed community and Council.
Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry said the result was the sign of genuine, collective effort.
"This doesn't happen by accident, it takes genuine commitment from staff, community and elected representatives. Now we focus on what's next," Cr Cherry said.
"The Tweed community has always cared deeply about this place, its rivers, its coast, its hinterland. This rating reflects that. It's our job as Council to match that commitment with action, and we intend to."
Program Leader of Climate Change and Sustainability, Debbie Firestone, said the process was as much about improvement as recognition.
"Transparency and accountability are core to our approach, and this rating reinforces that we're moving in the right direction while focusing on next steps to improve our response to climate change on behalf of our community."
Council's key achievements contributing to the A‑ rating include a community-wide emissions inventory, renewable energy initiatives, climate risk assessment and adaptation planning, partnerships with local businesses and community groups, and an Energy Affordability strategy to support people vulnerable to high power costs.
To improve its score, Council will work toward adopting science-based greenhouse gas emissions targets, focusing adaptation goals on numerical targets, expanding its emissions inventory to include residual emissions such as hydrofluorocarbons, and implementing a monitoring, evaluation and reporting program across all climate strategies.
Learn more about Council's Climate change initiatives at tweed.nsw.gov.au/climatechange
CDP and Global Covenant of Mayors results are available at globalcovenantofmayors.org
