City Challenge 2013 - Congratulations Vancouver!

Based on the successful pilot and the enthusiastic feedback from around the world, the concept has been rolled-out globally in collaboration with external partners. 2012, WWF invited cities from 6 countries (Canada, India, Italy, Norway, Sweden and the United States) to participate in the first international pilot of the Earth Hour City Challenge.

A total of 66 cities from participating countries accepted WWF’s challenge and submitted their plans for low carbon development and strategies for dramatically increasing renewable energy use. For city reporting details please visit the carbonn Cities Climate Registry. 

Congratulations Earth Hour Capitals 2013!

Forli, New Delhi, San Francisco, Uppsala and Vancouver were all selected by the jury as Earth Hour Capitals in their respective countries. The City of Vancouver was also awarded the title Global Earth Hour Capital for excellence and leadership in sustainable urban development. The awards were presented on 19 March 2013, at a conference and award ceremony in Malmo, Sweden.

People´s choice campaign

A number of impressive initiatives from country finalists were highlighted in profiles in a People’s Choice campaign, where people around the world were invited to vote for their favorite among these cities. 

Finalists 2013 
Canada: Colwood, Surrey, Vancouver
India: Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi
Italy: Forli, Siena
Norway: Arendal, Oslo, Stavanger
Sweden: Malmö, Stockholm, Uppsala
USA: Chicago, Cincinnati, San Francisco

Vancouver received the greatest number of votes and therefore also received the People’s Choice Award.

Christiana Figueres, member of the international jury for the WWF Earth Hour City Challenge, recognized the participation of all cities involved in the challenge at the Award ceremony 2013. City-level response is integral in the fight against climate change and cities that engaged in the Earth Hour City Challenge are leading the way in policy implementation.

Will your city inspire the world?

Over 300 cities from around the world have participated in Earth Hour City Challenge. These are cities that deserve recognition for their commitment to taking a leadership role in the transition toward a climate-friendly, one-planet future.

Earth Hour City Challenge in short

With more than 70% of the world’s CO2 emissions generated by residents in cities, the Earth Hour City Challenge has been created to mobilize action and support from cities in the global transition towards a climate friendly one-planet future. The challenge invites cities to report ambitious commitments and big win climate actions, in terms of GHG reductions as well as the co-benefits they provide  in relation to food, water and energy security challenges. Next launch of the challenge in 2017 will be the sixth round of WWFs international city challenge. 

How the challenge works

Cities are invited to report relevant data, plans and actions via an internationally recognized carbon reporting platform for cities, Carbonn Climate Registry, cCR, managed by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. Outreach and support to cities is provided in collaboration with ICLEI and the final plans and data reviewed by an international jury.
The international jury review development plans for building, transport, energy and food systems – solutions that will make a city greener and cleaner and improve living standards for residents.