Including the Philippines, OPCC runs in 20 countries covering 320 cities. Philippine cities that are participating this 2017-2018 include Batangas, Catbalogan, Makati, Naga, Paranaque, Pasig, San Carlos, Tagum and Zamboanga. During the previous year the cities of Naga, Paranaque, Quezon City, San Carlos and Santa Rosa also joined the challenge.

Since its inception, WWF has partnered with ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, particularly though the carbonn Climate Registry (cCR). The cCR is a global reporting platform for local and subnational climate action where participating cities can report relevant data, plans and actions.

2015-2016 marked the first time the Philippines joined the City Challenge with a total of seven (7) cities participating from an initial target of three (3). Cities of San Carlos in Negros Island, Santa Rosa in Laguna and Makati in Metro Manila moved up as finalists competing against forty-seven (47) cities from twenty-one (21) countries. Eventually, the City of Santa Rosa emerged as one of the National Earth Hour Capitals for 2016 with City of Paris, France as the Global Earth Hour Capital of 2016.

Following the successful run of last year’s City Challenge, WWF-Philippines has continued its partnership with ICLEI Southeast Asia for the rebranded OPCC. It is hoped that through the program, more cities will become proactive in showcasing their unique and ambitious climate actions while also helping build cities’ capacities to better respond to the adverse impacts brought about by the changing climate.