Gland, 30 May 2022 
 
Bogotá, Colombia and Lund, Sweden have been selected as the Global Winners of WWF’s One Planet City Challenge (OPCC) 2022. OPCC is one of the largest and longest-running climate challenges for cities in the world and marked its tenth anniversary in 2021.  
 
Since 2011, the OPCC has been highlighting leading examples of climate mitigation and adaptation from cities around the world. The global winners were assessed by a jury of urban experts from a diverse range of organizations – from C40, to the African Development Bank to ICLEI amongst others – chaired by Seth Schultz, CEO at Resilience Rising.  
 
This year, 280 cities participated from over 50 countries, and the aggregated emissions reductions from planned mitigation actions amounted to 246 million tons of CO₂ equivalents which is approximately the annual emissions of a country like Spain. Lund and Bogotá were the frontrunners in their reported climate data of those 280 cities. 
 
“As highlighted in the recently released IPCC AR6 reports, cities play a key role in avoiding the most severe impacts of global warming,” said Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International. “Bogotá and Lund are two inspiring examples of how dedicated local governments from very different contexts can drive the transition toward more liveable and sustainable cities. For the world over, both cities are showing others what can be achieved!"
 
OPCC cities globally are showing the world what can be achieved in sustainability at a time when that goal has never been more critical. As global winners, Lund and Bogotá, are inspirations to other cities to commit to meaningful and ambitious climate action.  
  
The cities were measured against rigorous criteria that included: ambitious climate targets, bold leadership, ability to meet upcoming challenges, and a holistic climate action plan that is well balanced towards their goals. 


 
This year’s jury was particularly impressed by Bogotá’s ambitious climate action plan, including halving their business-as-usual emissions by 2030, and reaching net zero emissions by 2050. This plan includes actions in sectors that are difficult to impact, despite numerous challenges. Bogotá plays an influential role in leading the country’s approach to climate change and demonstrates to the rest of the world what cities can achieve with effort and commitment. 


 
Lund was the highest scoring entry among the 280 cities reporting to WWF’s One Planet City Challenge 2022. It had a comprehensive and holistic approach to climate action planning and the city’s plan demonstrates strong political leadership, vision and impact. Its planned mitigation actions are effective, covering the most important sectors and its adaptation actions are both diverse and based on a strong climate change risk assessment. Furthermore, Lund reported a 50% emissions reduction target for 2020 (base year 1990) – which has been achieved. 

 
For more information, please contact:  
Yoshi Funaki, Global Communications Manager, One Planet City Challenge, WWF  
Tel: +46 70 544 57 12, Email: Yoshi.funaki@wwf.se  
 
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Additional Information for editors
The OPCC Jury 
Our jury of experts comes from a diverse range of organizations, backgrounds and geographic settings. It includes representatives of both the Asian and African Development Banks, as well as World Economic Forum. The city coalitions are also well represented through C40, CDP and ICLEI and Global Covenant of Mayors among others. Chairing them all is Seth Schultz, currently CEO at Resilience Rising.  
  
"I am excited to review the climate strategies of leading cities across the globe. True transformation will result from realizing their ambitious commitments to drive change through reducing their emissions in line with the Paris agreement," says Seth Schultz.  
 
The full jury list can be found here: wwf_opcc_jury_2022.jpg (1600×960) (panda.org) 
 
Cities & Climate Change 
Home to 80% of global GDP, cities are responsible for 70% of CO2 emissions and 75% of natural resource consumption. Cities are places of challenge and change, but also testing grounds for innovative new ideas. The 2022 IPCC assessment report on climate change named cities as one of the forefronts of climate action. The report stated that integrated and inclusive planning can not only improve climate resilience, it can go as far as improving the health and well-being of marginalized and vulnerable communities. 
 
About WWF 
WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. 
 
About One Planet City Challenge 
The One Planet City Challenge is an initiative designed by WWF to mobilize action and support from cities in the global transition towards a 1.5 °C planet. It also aims to stimulate the development and dissemination of best practices for climate mitigation and adaptation. 

• More than 700 cities from 53 countries have participated in the OPCC since its inception in 2011  

• OPCC winning cities set ambitious goals in line with the Paris climate agreement, charting the course for other cities globally 

 
 
About We Love Cities 
We Love Cities is a public engagement campaign that allows people across the world to express support for low carbon urban development by voting for their favorite finalist from WWFs One Planet City Challenge and posting improvement suggestions for these cities.