Launched in 2011, WWF's global initiative has become the world's largest program inspiring cities to align with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C target — providing strategic support and recognition to municipalities proving that transformative local climate action can drive global change.
More than half the world's population lives in cities where urban lifestyles account for over 70% of the world's carbon emissions, fuelled by the grossly disproportionate use of global energy and natural resources. WWF created the One Planet City Challenge (OPCC) in 2011 to inspire the world by showcasing what real local action on climate mitigation and adaptation looks like, and it has since become the largest and most impactful program of its kind. To date, over 900 cities from 70 countries have accepted the challenge, creating a critical mass in support of rapid and effective climate action from a diverse community of cities around the world.
The OPCC is designed to ensure success by providing strategic feedback and support to local governments as they progress along their individual climate journeys, with a clear emphasis on big-win actions for alignment with the Paris Agreement's target of limiting warming to 1.5°C. A key component is the holistic Strategic Support Program, which includes a tool for robust assessment and monitoring of progress in line with climate goals, as well as a customized Strategic Feedback Report that provides a clear understanding of the big picture and offers specific opportunities for improvement. The OPCC's unique methodology for verifying emissions reductions enables participating cities to report emissions, goals and targets on the international and standardized CDP-ICLEI Track platform, where participants' data is assessed and compared to emission reduction trajectories recommended for their type of city.
For more information or to sign up, visit WWF’s One Planet City Challenge website here.