Makati City Mayor Nancy Binay on Thursday, July 9, announced that the city has been named a Global Winner in the developing countries category of the 2026 edition of the World Wide Fund for Nature's (WWF) One Planet City Challenge (OPCC).

The One Planet City Challenge is the world's largest and longest-running climate challenge for cities. It is hosted by the WWF and recognizes cities that are leading the way toward a safe, climate-resilient future.

On June 30, the city was recognized at the OPCC Global Award Ceremony during the Hamburg Sustainability Conference in Germany.

At the event, WWF honored the top-performing cities from more than 380 participants representing 51 countries during the 2025-2026 cycle.

The mayor said that being named a Global Winner is an honor that she accepts on behalf of every Makati resident who has supported the city's climate programs, from its barangays to its business community.

“This recognition affirms that Makati's approach to climate action, grounded in data, policy, and genuine partnership with our residents, is working," Binay said.

"This award is not the finish line. It is a challenge to keep raising our standards, to keep listening to our communities, and to keep building a Makati that is resilient for generations to come," she added.

"I thank our constituents, whose everyday actions and support made this recognition possible. I also thank all our partner departments and offices for their tireless efforts in implementing our climate programs, and the WWF and the OPCC for recognizing Makati's efforts on the global stage,” the mayor continued.

Paris, France, was also named a global co-winner for the 2025–2026 cycle.

The local government described the recognition as a milestone, saying it marked the first time a Philippine city won the global title.

Previously, Makati was named the Philippines' National Winner in the 2024 OPCC cycle. The city was later recognized for its climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives, science-aligned greenhouse gas reduction targets, and environmental data disclosure through the CDP-ICLEI Track platform, which also earned A-List recognition from CDP for three consecutive years.

The city has likewise invested in green infrastructure and open space incentives integrated into its zoning policies, sustainable and low-carbon transport systems, improved solid waste management, and disaster preparedness programs designed to strengthen community resilience against climate-related hazards.

The local government added that under Mayor Nancy's administration, the city became the very first local government in the Philippines to power all of its public buildings entirely with renewable energy.

Through a partnership with ACEN Corporation, all 154 city government facilities will soon run on solar, wind, and geothermal power, expected to prevent nearly 290,000 metric tons of carbon emissions over the life of the contract.

Binay vowed that the city government will strengthen ties with WWF, ICLEI, and other environmental groups as it works toward carbon neutrality, while continuing programs on green infrastructure, sustainable transport, and community climate resilience.