Baguio is one of Southeast Asia’s local climate action leaders

The Summer Capital under the leadership of Mayor Benjamin Magalong has been recognized globally through the ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) Southeast Asia – Paris to Belem campaign as one of Southeast Asia’s inspiring success stories in local climate action.

City Planning, Development and Sustainability Office (CPDSO) head Arch. Donna Tabangin said that as part of the city’s growing innovation and sustainability community, Baguio continues to take bold and practical steps toward building a more climate-resilient future.

“From constructing 14 km of bike lanes across 11 routes to promote cycling and ease traffic congestion, to launching an ambitious zero-waste strategy that targets 80% waste reduction by 2032, Baguio is showing that local action truly drives global impact,” she said.

Tabangin said that following a 2022 Waste Analysis and Characterization Study that revealed 593 tons of waste generated daily, the city embraced a circular economy approach by empowering communities to compost, strengthening Materials Recovery Facilities in 128 barangays and enforcing waste segregation at source.

“Through these collective efforts, we’re transforming Baguio from a ‘take-make-waste’ city into a regenerative and sustainable model — one that nurtures both the environment and local livelihoods,” she said and added that Baguio is more than just the ‘Summer Capital of the Philippines’.

“We’re proud to be part of a city that’s championing urban environmental resilience and proving that even mountain cities can lead the way in climate innovation,” Tabangin stressed. – Gaby B. Keith