Jones Lang LaSalle has joined the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Cities Program as a lead sponsor. The project provides cities with a standard system to report their greenhouse gas emissions and other sustainability-related information.

Launched in November 2010, CDP Cities works in partnership with the Clinton Climate Initiative and the C40, an organization of 40 major cities around the world that have committed to tackling climate change challenges.

CDP Cities invited the members of the C40 and 19 affiliate member cities to voluntarily measure and report information on managing environmental risks, reducing carbon and further adopting strategies that safeguard the future of cities.

As lead sponsor, Jones Lang LaSalle will use its global reach and expertise in educating and advising cities and multi-national companies on energy and climate strategies to refine the CDP Cities reporting criteria and help cities to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.

Jones Lang LaSalle is uniquely positioned to partner with CDP Cities, according to Dan Probst, chairman of energy and sustainability services at the global real estate services firm.

Jones Lang LaSalle’s knowledge of property sustainability, its global reach and strong track record in environmental protection make it a good fit for the program, according to Conor Riffle, head of CDP Cities.

“Land use and the built environment are important considerations for sustainable cities, and Jones Lang LaSalle brings world-class expertise in these areas,” says Riffle.

Under the agreement, Jones Lang LaSalle will help CDP refine the questionnaire that municipal governments use to report data relating to global climate change issues, including greenhouse gas emissions, anticipated infrastructure risks due to weather events and other environmental factors, and sustainability policies and trends in urban areas.

On the education front, Jones Lang LaSalle will assist CDP in providing seminars, webinars, and city events.

“The Carbon Disclosure Project plays a tremendous role in increasing the prominence of environmental factors in business and investment decisions,” says Lauralee Martin, Jones Lang LaSalle’s chief operating and financial officer.

“With the CDP Cities program, they have already shown that reliable, transparent information can guide cities to environmental policies and priorities to reduce their risk exposure and drive economic growth.”

The program enables cities to report both quantitative climate change data, such as greenhouse gas inventories, and qualitative information about unique characteristics of individual cities.