MANILA, Philippines — The cities of Batangas, Muntinlupa and Santa Rosa have been selected as national finalists in the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)’s “One Planet City Challenge (OPCC)” this year.
Originally known as the Earth Hour Challenge, WWF kicked off the OPCC in 2011 as a friendly competition that allows participating cities to share their best practices in climate mitigation and develop adaptation plans anchored on their role towards building a sustainable and climate-safe future.
Over 250 cities around the globe, including 13 from the Philippines, have joined the 2020 leg of the OPCC. And with cities in 53 countries participating, approximately 66 percent of the global population is represented.
“With cities accounting for 70 percent of carbon emissions globally and generating 80 percent of the total GDP, their political and economic power are considered instrumental in the transition to a more stable climate,” said WWF-Philippines executive director Jose Angelito Palma.
Palma expressed his appreciation for the Philippine cities that participated in this call for transformational governance.
“In these trying times, being business-as-usual in the way we do things is no longer sufficient to secure a safe and sustainable future,” he added.
Angela Ibay, head of the Climate and Energy Program of WWF-Philippines, noted the role of citizens in building a climate-safe future. “Even as cities around the world increasingly advance climate actions, we cannot underestimate how citizen engagement and participation play integral roles in the implementation of these actions, and their active participation help shape how sustainable and resilient cities can be in years to come.”
The three Philippine finalists, along with those from other countries, have also qualified to participate in the OPCC’s “We Love Cities campaign,” which aims to bridge better communication between city officials and the citizens they represent on climate and sustainability issues.
The OPCC jury composed of urban sustainability experts from across the globe will evaluate all the finalists and determine a national winner per country and a global winner who will be recognized and awarded in a ceremony in mid-2020. – With Ralph Edwin Villanueva