Data collection and reporting are at the core of the GCA. Signatory cities commit to tracking and reporting on their environmental performance across five priority areas, measured through 15 simple key indicators. By collecting and reporting data, cities can assess their progress, identify areas for improvement and demonstrate their commitment to achieving a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable urban environment.
Regular reporting fosters transparency among cities, reinforcing their decision-making capacity and their commitment to environmental action. It also contributes to shaping EU environmental policy by providing valuable insights into urban sustainability challenges and successes.
By benchmarking their performance against indicators, cities can measure their impact, share best practices and collectively drive progress toward Europe’s green transition.
Reporting Timeline
- Sign the accordCities sign the Green City Accord
- Year 2Baseline report
After signing the accord, cities submit their baseline report within two years of signing of the GCA
- Year 5Interim Report
Cities are required to report on their progress five years after the signing of the GCA
- Year 8Final Report
GCA signatories must submit a final report to evaluate the progress and determine wheter targets have been met
Reporting requirements
In each report, cities must:
- Report on the 15 indicators across the five priority areas of environmental management.
- Outline the different policies and measures in place to reach targets
Publication
The European Commission publishes periodical progress reports with an overview of the performance of GCA signatories in relation to the five key environmental objectives, the targets that the cities have set to meet by 2030, an overview of the next steps (measures and actions), a selection of best practices and a general assessment of the ongoing process.
Read the 1st GCA report published in January 2025.
Support to the cities
To support cities in meeting their reporting obligations, the GCA provides a comprehensive guidebook with detailed information on measuring and calculating the mandatory indicators across the five priority areas. This guide ensures consistency and accuracy in data collection, facilitating progress tracking and alignment with GCA requirements.
The GCA secretariat and the supporters can provide assistance to the cities in their task of collecting and reporting.
Related links
A step-by-step guide for EU cities on how to join a movement of leaders building a clean, healthy urban future.
Frequently Asked Questions
By joining the GCA, cities commit to taking further actions in 5 environmental management areas to achieve ambitious goals by 2030 and accelerate the delivery of the European Green Deal requirements.