How your Organization can support Earth Hour

At 8.30pm on 27 March 2010, millions of people in cities across the planet will turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – to show the world that a solution to the threat of global warming is possible through collective action. WWF and Earth Hour supporters around the world want your business to be part of this historic moment.
There are many ways organizations can support Earth Hour, from turning out the lights in their buildings/facilities on the night through to encouraging staff and clients to join the Earth Hour initiative. Show current and future staff and clients you’re supporting Earth Hour and contributing to a global climate resolution!
The following information outlines the various levels of commitment to Earth Hour, be it bigor small.

1) Turn out lights 8:30 – 9:30pm Saturday 27 March 2010
Turn out the lights in your buildings, facilities and signage for one hour at 8:30pm on Saturday 27 March 2010. For larger buildings, the facilities and building managers need to manage the logistics of switching off non-essential lighting for Earth Hour – including neon lights – in and around your properties.
2) Register your organizations’ commitment by turning off the lights above to register your organisation with other committed organisations around the world.
3) Communicate Earth Hour to your tenants and neighbours
For leased properties, building owners need to communicate with tenants regarding turning their lights off for one hour for Earth Hour at 8:30pm on 27 March 2010. Examples of past-communication included: email bulletins, SMS, flyers/letters, on-site posters. For businesses renting, tell your property manager, neighbours and others who share the building. Spread the Earth Hour message and encourage others to participate.
4) Communicate Earth Hour to staff
Organization support for Earth Hour is about every level of your organisation becoming involved, from CEO and Board members through to administrative staff. Communicate Earth Hour to all staff using email and other newsletters, posters, intranet,SMS, website, staff associations and committees. Encourage staff, colleagues and their families to take part in Earth Hour on 27 March and commit to long-term emissions reductions both in the workplace and at home.
5) Communicate Earth Hour to your other offices nationally and globally
Talk to your offices in other cities both nationally and around the world, and explain what you are doing to support the movement. Encourage organisation-wide participation.
6) Communicate Earth Hour to your partners, clients, suppliers and other networks
Provide information about Earth Hour to partners, clients, suppliers and other organsiations your business works with on a regular basis. Add a tagline to your company signature blocks, spread the word!
7) Communicate long-term Earth Hour goals
Earth Hour is not just about one hour, it’s about making long term changes to the way we use energy and water both in the workplace and at home. When communicating with tenants, customers, other offices and staff, be sure to include secondary messaging regarding emissions reductions.
8) Communicate Earth Hour to your customers
Communicate Earth Hour to your customers, encourage them to take part in Earth Hour on 27 March and commit to long-term emissions reductions.
Include a link to the Earth Hour website from your homepage or host an Earth Hour banner on your homepage (downloadable from www.earthhour.org)
Include Earth Hour in any email or SMS bulletins you send to customers
Include Earth Hour messages on bills/statements/catalogues/other printed material you send to customers
Promote your commitment to Earth Hour in stores, branches, foyers, terminals, stadiums, shopping centres by putting up Earth Hour posters (downloadable from www.earthhour.org)
Run joint promotions in the lead-up to Earth Hour
Are there other ways you can spread the Earth Hour message through your facilities, services, products and channel?
9) Make change an everyday part of your business
If you’ve assessed the emissions of your business activities you’ll be aware that the simple changes Earth Hour encourages you to make on an ongoing basis are very achievable.
These are some of the ways your organization can start to reduce emissions today as well as reduce costs:
Turning off lights after hours in back offices or installing motion-sensor lighting.
Installing energy saving lights and energy saving devices (e.g. timers on lighting).
Turning off printers, computers, monitors, microwaves and coffee machines at the power points at the end of the day when unused for long periods.
Switching your business’ electricity to Gold Standard Green Power.
Furthermore, involve your staff in everyday change. Elect Earth Hour Monitors for your business, whose job it is to ensure lights are out and appliances are off standby at the end of each working day.
10) Tell us what your organization is doing for Earth Hour
Earth Hour has many opportunities to showcase what your business is doing to support the initiative, from media and PR through to the Earth Hour website and email bulletins. Please let us know so we can show the world your efforts! Contact us to discuss the public relation opportunities for your business: newsdesk@earthhour.org
Thanks for your support!