Makati a finalist in WWF competition

MANILA, Philippines — Makati City has earned a spot as a national finalist in the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)’s One Planet City Challenge (OPCC) 2024.

The OPCC, which was launched in 2011, was previously known as the Earth Hour City Challenge, a friendly competition that recognizes cities with proactive climate initiatives and commitment to sustainable urban development.

“This distinction not only celebrates Makati’s environmental achievements but also sets us as a leader in ecological responsibility among over 350 cities from 50 countries,” the Makati City government said in a Facebook post.

The cities of Baguio and Tagum were also selected as finalists out of the 15 cities in the Philippines that pitched their entries.

Makati Mayor Abby Binay on Friday also announced that the city has also earned a “compliance badge” from the Global Covenant of Mayors for its action on climate mitigation and adaptation.

According to the city government, the badge is awarded to cities that have “accomplished and achieved progress in their local climate action in all three pillars: mitigation, adaptation and access to energy.”

Only three other cities in the Philippines received the same distinction: Quezon City, Ormoc City and Dipolog City.