Data on cities that are benchmarked with the sustainable development of energy, water and environment systems index and related cross-sectoral scenario

The data set of this article is related to an original research article entitled “Benchmarking the sustainability of urban energy, water and environment systems and envisioning a cross-sectoral scenario for the future” Kılkış, 2019. The data article provides data compilations in the context of benchmarking studies based on the composite indicator of the Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems City Index. Data tables for the seven dimensions of the index are provided for 35 main indicators and related sub-indicators for the newly benchmarked cities while those for other cities are monitored. In addition to periodic updates in the common data sources, some cities released updated reports for the Sustainable Energy and/or Climate Action Plans and/or relevant local statistics since the initial benchmarking. Normalized and aggregated values per dimension of the index for 120 cities are provided as an appendix for groups of 30 cities that are characterized as the pioneering, transitioning, solution-seeking, and challenged cities of the sample. The data compilation for the sources of residual energy from the industry, thermal power generation, the wastewater sector and urban biowaste are further provided for 60 cities as the basis of a scenario to encourage the integration of cross-sectoral measures in urban systems to improve benchmarked performances. The data that is contained in this data article thus enables the original application of the index to 120 cities and the analysis of a scenario in which cities reduce primary energy spending and carbon dioxide emissions.