Baguio joins WWF’s One Planet Cities Program

BAGUIO CITY – The Summer Capital through the city planning, development and sustainability office (CPDSO) is one of 28 Philippine cities participating in World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF’s) One Planet Cities (OPC) program for 2025-2026.

CPDSO head Donna Rillera-Tabangin said the OPC Challenge is WWF’s flagship initiative that empowers cities to become transformation catalysts in the fight against climate change, aligning with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal.

CPDSO representatives attended the kick-off workshop “Cities as Transformation Catalysts: Navigating Pathway Towards Climate-Resilient Future” last June 18, 2025, in Quezon City.

“This matters because cities produce 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, urban areas consume 75% of global energy and resources, cities generate up to 80% of global GDP, and we have the power to drive meaningful climate action,” she said.

Tabangin added that focus areas include sustainable urban food systems, climate data reporting, community-legel greenhouse gas inventories, and climate financing opportunities.

The city government under Mayor Benjamin Magalong seeks to pursue climate and disaster resilience as one of its 7-point core agenda. – Gaby B. Keith