Information for Cities
Extreme weather poses significant financial, health and property risks to cities and their residents. Across the U.S., dangerous weather events are becoming more frequent or severe — or both. Multiple studies have linked these trends to the changing climate.
To inspire cities to address the growing threat of climate change, WWF launched the Earth Hour City Challenge, a competition among cities to prepare for increasingly extreme weather and take steps to transition towards a 100% renewable energy future.
The Earth Hour City Challenge offers a platform and benefits package that will empower and reward participating cities that take steps to reduce their carbon footprint and prepare for climate-related severe weather such as drought, flooding rains, extreme heat, and more intense coastal storms coupled with sea level rise.
Why Compete? | How to Engage the Public | Join the Challenge | Benefits | Frequently Asked Questions
Why should your city compete?
Participating cities that implement the most ambitious actions and engage their citizens will receive public recognition for their leadership. Additionally, cities will better understand their vulnerability to severe weather, learn best practices from their peers and experts, and be prepared to make their communities safer, healthier and more livable.
How to Engage the Public
Tucson, Arizona was the first city to host a public engagement event about the risks that climate change poses to their city and what the community can do to prepare as part of their participation in the Earth Hour City Challenge. The event energized Tucson’s citizens and propelled the city’s climate and sustainability efforts forward.
Download the Earth Hour City Challenge Public Engagement Guide to learn how your community can follow Tucson’s example. It includes tips for selecting speakers, how to facilitate meaningful discussion, and ready-made forms you can use at your event.
Join the Earth Hour City Challenge
To join the City Challenge, please follow the process below. The Earth Hour City Challenge is open to any city or county* government in the U.S. Entrants will be required to submit information on local greenhouse gas emissions, reduction targets, and relevant climate action plans. Submissions will be processed through the carbonn Cities Climate Registry (cCCR) online platform.
Please note that the entry period for 2012 closed November 19, 2012. Complete the interest form below in order for your city to indicate its interest in joining in 2013.
* Counties will not be evaluated for selection as an Earth Hour Capital, but are eligible for all other benefits and resources. Learn more about city and county eligibility.
Step 1: Complete the interest form
Complete the form below to indicate your interest; a WWF representative will contact you soon to answer any questions you may have.
Step 2: Review instructions
Read the instructions for City Challenge candidates (PDF) then review the cCCR platform User Manual (PDF) to learn how to complete the entry form and how cities will be evaluated.
Step 3: Complete the entry form
Please note that the entry period for 2012 closed November 19, 2012. Cities that complete the interest form in Step 1 will be notified when the 2013 entry period commences and the entry form is available.
If you have any questions, please contact us at ehcc@wwfus.org.
Benefits
Recognition
The Earth Hour City Challenge will select one US city to be "The U.S. Earth Hour Capital" each year. The U.S. Earth Hour Capital will be selected by an international jury, overseen by the global management and consulting firm, Accenture. The selection will be based on each city's responses in the Earth Hour City Challenge entry form.
The US Earth Hour Capital and other recognized entrants will be celebrated at an award ceremony in March of 2013.
The criteria for participating in the Earth Hour City Challenge and the entry form are described in the FAQ.
Webinars and Training
City Challenge participants will have access to a series of exclusive interactive webinars lead by local sustainability and climate experts on topics such as how to assess local vulnerabilities to climate change, how to raise public awareness about your city's actions, and how to engage the community's business sector.
Peer-to-Peer Collaboration
Participating cities will be able to learn from the experiences and expertise of other city officials across the country, as well as showcase what your city is doing. This includes a member-only online forum on ClimateAccess.org, an interactive webinar series, and the awards ceremony in March on Earth Hour 2013.
Climate Expertise
Need advice on your city's climate initiatives? WWF staff can help you with the know-how and resources you need to succeed.
Public Engagement Toolkit
Participating cities will gain access to a toolkit designed specifically to help city governments engage their residents on local planning efforts for how to prepare for climate change. This includes best practices for presenting the most recent scientific findings, communicating local climate impacts, and collecting beneficial feedback from residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Entering the Challenge
How do cities or counties enter the Earth Hour City Challenge?
I have submitted the Interest Form, what are the next steps?
What is the timeline for the competition?
When will the entry form be available to view?
What information will cities need to submit through the entry form?
When is the deadline to submit the entry form?
May counties participate in the Earth Hour City Challenge?
Judging for the Competition
Who will judge the Earth Hour City Challenge?
What are the criteria for being recognized in the United States and internationally?
When will the Earth Hour Capital and recognized participants be announced?
