Earth Hour’s annual one-hour “switch off” event is symbolic of the collective action we all need to take to slow the effects of climate change. We all have a role to play in spreading awareness and taking climate action - including businesses of all types and sizes. 

Here’s what you need to know to get your business involved in Earth Hour 2022.

What is Earth Hour?

Earth Hour is a global movement organised by the WWF that takes place annually around the world from 8:30 - 9:30pm on the last Saturday of March. This year, that means Earth Hour will be held on Saturday 26th March.

Each year, Earth Hour encourages individuals, businesses and governments around the world to take positive actions for the environment by switching off their lights for one designated hour.

Beginning as a symbolic blackout event in Sydney back in 2007, Earth Hour has since evolved into one of the largest global grassroots movements aimed at environmental change (encompassing climate action beyond electricity usage), with the yearly lights-out event now extending into around 180 countries.

How can businesses get involved?

1. Switch off your lights

Switch off non-essential lights in your buildings, facilities and signage during Earth Hour from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. For offices that are closed over the weekends ensure your employees switch off lights when they leave on Friday evening. For larger buildings, plan ahead with facilities and building managers to manage the logistics of switching off non-essential lighting for Earth Hour including neon lights – in and around your properties.

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2. Host a team event

In the lead up to Earth Hour, organise an event for your team to come together and discuss how your company is currently approaching environmental sustainability and what actions you could take to improve in the future (big and small!).

For a bit of inspiration, you could start by watching (in-person or virtually) this “Our Planet: Our Business” film that gives some background on the climate crisis and how businesses can play a positive role.

Earth Hour have developed their own Employee Engagement Handbook with even more ideas here.

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3. Share what you’re doing & encourage others to join you

The impact of your positive actions is amplified when you talk about them with others. 

Why not…

• Share photos on social media of what you are doing as a team to prepare for Earth Hour and nominate other businesses to get involved.
• Tell your customers you’re taking part and give them ideas for how they can too.

4. Take part in the official Earth Hour activities

• Support the Earth Hour “Virtual Spotlight” event on the night by following the instructions here.
• Host your own Earth Hour event with tips for event organisers in this super-helpful handbook.

5. Demonstrate your commitment with real action

Anyone can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk? Take your commitment to taking part in Earth Hour and turn it into tangible action by taking responsibility for your business's carbon footprint.

If you haven’t already - measure the carbon footprint of your business (trace can help with that!) so you know your ‘baseline’, offset your existing emissions and then see the impact of your future reduction initiatives.

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Then, share the climate positive steps your business is taking, on your website, social media or other channels, including how you’re reducing the carbon emissions produced by your business. In the spirit of Earth Hour’s “switch-off” theme, you might choose to start by focusing on the emissions created by your energy usage.

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There are so many ways your business can reduce its carbon footprint

Here are just a few ideas, specific to energy, to get you started:

• Check the energy efficiency of your office buildings and encourage staff to do the same at home if they work remotely. Use this assessment to make targeted changes that reduce energy wastage.
• Switch to a renewable electricity provider or investigate installing your own renewable energy generation (e.g. solar panels) in your office building.
• Put a “switch it off” policy into practice to make sure all unnecessary electrical appliances are turned off at the end of the workday and over holiday periods.

The team at trace can help you understand even more ways your business can reduce its carbon footprint. To learn more, get in touch with us here.

One final tip

If you’re posting about Earth Hour on social media, be sure to use the hashtags #ShapeOurFuture, #EarthHour and #positivetrace, and tag @earthhourofficial and @our_trace so we can see what you get up to!