Quezon City in 2024: Greener Than Ever

As Quezon City celebrates its 85th anniversary in 2024, it has solidified its reputation as a trailblazer in environmental sustainability and climate resilience. Under the leadership of Mayor Joy Belmonte, the city has implemented innovative and inclusive programs, making it a model for green governance both locally and internationally.

Mayor Belmonte’s advocacy for the environment began during her first term in 2019, when she declared a “climate emergency” and made environmental sustainability a cornerstone of her administration. “Taking care of our environment is essential to improving the quality of life of our residents, especially in the face of climate change,” Belmonte said.

Green Leadership

Quezon City has received accolades for its efforts, including recognition from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In 2023, Mayor Belmonte was awarded the Champions of the Earth title in the Policy Leadership category for advancing transformative policies to combat plastic pollution and promote urban sustainability. “I am proud to say that Quezon City is leading this conversation here and internationally through innovative and grounded solutions,” Belmonte added.

In 2024, the Mayor was named as one of Forbes Magazine’s 50 Sustainability Leaders, while the city was included as one of 119 A-List Cities according to international non-profit organization CDP, further affirming its commitment to climate action.

Bold Policies and Programs

The establishment of the Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department (CCESD) in 2020 through Ordinance No. SP3009 has been instrumental in Quezon City’s green journey. Guided by its Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2050, the city aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030, achieve net zero by 2050, and build a green economy.

The city has implemented ordinances banning plastic bags, single-use plastics, and disposable hotel toiletries. Programs such as Trash to Cashback (T2C), where residents trade recyclables for environmental points redeemable for utilities and groceries, have proven effective.

“Since 2021, we’ve collected waste equivalent to over 1.2 million Environmental Points,” Belmonte said.

Another successful initiative is the Kuha sa Tingi program, which encourages sari-sari stores to sell liquid detergents and other household items via refills instead of sachets. As of 2024, this program has prevented over 36 million sachets from ending up in landfills.

“In this business model we created, the seller earns more, the consumer spends less, and the environment wins,” said Belmonte. “Our next step is to roll out this initiative in 1,000 sari-sari stores within this year and 5,000 more next year.”

To address food waste, the city uses biodigesters in public markets and urban farms to convert organic waste into soil conditioners. Thirty-one biodigesters are currently in operation, with 12 more expected before the year ends and 25 additional units planned for 2025.

Excellence in Sustainability

Quezon City continues to recognize the outstanding contributions of its communities, schools, businesses, and organizations through the annual QC Green Awards. In 2024, over 100 entries highlighted innovative climate action and disaster risk reduction initiatives, demonstrating the growing commitment of various sectors to environmental sustainability and resilience.

This year’s 33 awardees were celebrated in an awarding ceremony held at the M.I.C.E. Center, with honorees spread across two categories.

In the “Green Category,” Barangay San Antonio was recognized for its SANA OIL (Sustainable Grease and Oil Waste Management initiative), while Barangay Commonwealth earned accolades for its ResKyusi Food Basket Program. Barangay Batasan Hills was honored for its Juan Batasan initiative, and Robinsons Novaliches stood out for its Recycling Market. Schools like St. Theresa’s College of QC received recognition for its SINOP Program, alongside New Era High School’s Plastic-Free Mondays. Hospitals also made a mark, with the Lung Center of the Philippines lauded for its adoption of solar energy solutions and Capitol Medical Center for its Capitol Cares: Save Energy for a Sustainable Future.

In the “Resilient Category,” notable winners included Camp Crame High School for its Resiliency For All: A Project On Emergency Preparedness and Barangay Novaliches Proper for its May Liwanag Ang Buhay program. Cloverleaf Balintawak Estate Association impressed with its Retention Pond Project, while SM Prime Holdings (SM City– Novaliches) was acknowledged for its Resilient Water Solutions: Rainwater Harvesting Planter Tanks for Climate Adaptation. AyalaLand Offices’ (Technohub) Rain Garden Development with Solar-Powered Irrigation and Aerator System also garnered praise, as did the Commonwealth Young Leaders Coalition for its Project inKYUSave: Building a Resilient and Inclusive Community. Youth-driven initiatives like Batang Del Monte Inc.’s EFloodCuate were also among those honored.

“The QC Green Awards symbolize the capability of every sector to address the escalating effects of the global climate crisis. We are stronger when everyone— from barangays to businesses—takes action.”

In Quezon City’s 85th year, it continues to inspire both its residents and the global community with its commitment to sustainability. With a clear vision and actionable plans, the city is not only addressing today’s environmental challenges but also paving the way for a greener, more resilient future.