QUEZON CITY – Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte’s dedicated efforts against climate change have received international recognition, as she has been named one of Forbes’ inaugural 50 Sustainability Leaders. This prestigious acknowledgment places her among global visionaries committed to addressing the climate crisis.
Mayor Belmonte joins an esteemed list alongside fellow C40 Cities members—Mayors Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown, Sierra Leone; Anne Hidalgo of Paris, France; and Michelle Wu of Boston—as well as an array of entrepreneurs, scientists, philanthropists, investors, politicians, and activists who are at the forefront of sustainability efforts worldwide.
“Forbes highlighted the exceptional ambition, innovation, and recent tangible impact of the 50 honorees, emphasizing how their contributions are both scalable and sustainable,” said the publication in their announcement. They further stated that these Sustainability Leaders are driving real and lasting change, showcasing their creative and inspiring solutions across various fields.
In response to this recognition, Mayor Belmonte expressed that this honor underscores Quezon City’s relentless fight against climate change and its effects on the environment and residents. “We are extremely honored to be part of this inaugural list. This further solidifies our commitment to combating climate change and its negative impact on the environment and our QCitizens,” Belmonte stated. She also mentioned that the recognition would inspire her administration to continue implementing solutions that contribute to a healthier planet for current and future generations, stressing the need for swift and decisive action.
Forbes specifically lauded Mayor Belmonte’s declaration of a climate emergency for Quezon City in 2019, shortly after she took office, highlighting how this decisive move allowed the allocation of 13 percent of the city’s budget to climate initiatives. This budget has since increased, reinforcing the city’s ambitious goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
In addition, Forbes praised the mayor’s various environmental initiatives, including expanding the city’s bike path network to 217 kilometers, electrifying the free bus service, and installing solar panels in public buildings. Her leadership in banning plastic bags and single-use utensils, introducing a “trash-to-cashback” program, and establishing refilling stations for liquid detergent and other household products were also commended as groundbreaking efforts.
Mayor Belmonte’s sustainability leadership has been widely recognized. Just last year, she was named the 2023 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Champion of the Earth for Policy Leadership for her strong advocacy and campaign against plastic waste.
This recognition by Forbes further solidifies Mayor Belmonte’s role as a leading advocate for environmental sustainability, setting a powerful example for cities across the globe in the fight against climate change.