Hermosillo recognized by World Wildlife Fund for urban climate change programs

The World Wildlife Fund is recognizing Hermosillo, the capital of Sonora, Mexico, for its efforts to address climate change.

Like much of Arizona, most of the Mexican state to the south, Sonora, is experiencing soaring temperatures this summer. That’s as temperatures rise globally — and many cities struggle to cool off.

The World Wildlife Fund is recognizing Hermosillo’s climate work for the second year in a row as a national winner of its One Planet City Challenge, which assesses cities based on sustainability and climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.

“This recognition confirms that we’re on the right path: betting on clean energies, reforestation, and the changes that are turning the City of the Sun into the Solar City,” said Hermosillo Mayor Antonio Astiazarán in a post on social media.

In a statement, WWF commends several city climate projects, including the Sonoran capital’s solar energy transition plan and its reforestation efforts. Hermosillo was one of three Mexican cities shortlisted for the award.