Several cities in the Philippines receive trophies for participating in the Earth Hour City Challenge of the World Wide Fund for nature or WWF which ran from 2015 to 2016.
The challenge aims to highlight, recognize and support city governments that are making long-term efforts to combat climate change.
Out of the seven participating cities, Sta. Rosa in Laguna has been proclaimed as the Philippine Earth Hour National Capital.
The city’s initiatives include using solar-powered street lighting and processing of coconut husks and water hyacinth in their composting facility designed to minimize landfill waste.
Placing second is the city of San Carlos in Negros Occidental which has positioned itself as the emerging renewable energy hub of Asia for hosting and supporting the establishment of two solar parks, biomass power plant and bio-ethanol plant which produces 125,000 liters of bio-diesel per day. All these produce a total of 130 megawatts power.
Makati City placed third for its initiatives like developing a center to provide barangay officials with knowledge and skills in designing eco-friendly projects.
Cagayan de Oro, Naga, Parañaque and Quezon City were also recognized during the awarding ceremony for participating in the challenge.
For its part, WWF Philippines encourages other cities in the Philippines to participate in the next Earth Hour City Challenge in 2018 as they play a major role as contributors to climate change and rapid development.
“I think many of our cities can qualify based on the current criteria that the international jury has in terms of Earth Hour City Challenge. It’s just a matter of whether they are willing to rise up to the challenge and express their intent to join,” said Atty. Angela Ibay, WWF Philippines’ head of Climate Change and Energy.
The following are the criteria for judging set by the international jury commissioned by WWF;
They are looking for cities that are:
– Moving toward sustainable economy.
– Taking ambitious and strategic actions to meet commitments.
– Integrating actions into coherent strategies for sustainability.
– Innovation and thinking outside the box.
– Significant leadership and credibility with respect to local context.
— Yoshiko Sata / UNTV News & Rescue
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