Earth Hour 2008 announced: March 29
25 Jul 2007
Sydney success sends Earth Hour global
Sydney, July 25, 2007: Sydney is a city with global influence. This was the message WWF-Australia delivered to Sydney leaders this morning, when it announced March 29 as the date for Earth Hour 2008.
At today's breakfast briefing to community and industry leaders, WWF outlined an impressive local and international future for Earth Hour. The initiative which started as a single city endeavour has plans to evolve into a national and international movement.
David Kirk, Fairfax Media CEO, commended those present for their participation in the 2007 debut, deeming it "the year's most significant grassroots initiative to do with global warming," and called on the business and corporate communities for "continuing involvement and tangible, financial support."
Brian Bissaker, CEO, Colonial First State, said: "While the idea itself is highly imaginative and symbolic, it's action taken throughout the year that is important. It will take a combined effort from business, consumers and government to make the necessary cultural and behavioural changes that reduce our use of energy and materials."
Attendees heard examples of companies across Sydney implementing strategies and engaging staff to reduce carbon emissions. According to WWF these are just part of the momentum aimed at its key goal of reducing Sydney's carbon emissions by five per cent before Earth Hour 2008.
Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore MP acknowledged and applauded Earth Hour's business participants with a reminder that the world's eyes will be upon Sydney as the initiative moves forward: "Earth Hour is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate the shared commitment of city communities around the world to work together to combat climate change. It provides an imaginative and inspirational focal point to help mobilise citizens and businesses to share responsibility and act at a very practical level to reduce our collective impact on the planet."
Greg Bourne, CEO, WWF-Australia, re-iterated this sentiment in closing the event: "Now that the Saturday night party is over and the world is informed of our intention, the residents of Australia have a promise to keep. We know that together we can make a difference – it is no longer just an idea."
"We must turn the corner by 2010."
Committed companies
The following companies committed to Earth Hour 2007:
AAMI, AAPT, ABN Amro, Accenture, AdCorp, AGL, Allens Arthur Robinson, American Express Australia, AMP Capital Investors, APN Online, APN Outdoor, Australian Institute of Management, Babcock & Brown Environmental Investments Limited, Baker & McKenzie, BP Australia, City of Sydney, Clayton Utz, Colliers International, Colonial First State, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Darling Harbour Business Association, DTZ Australia, Ernst & Young, Euro RSCG, Fairfax Media, Fuji Xerox Australia, Green Building Council of Australia, Hamilton James and Bruce, Henry Davis York, Insurance Australia Group, Integral Energy, Investa Property Group, Investec Bank, Jones Lang LaSalle, Lend Lease, KPMG, Leo Burnett, Lowe Hunt, Macquarie Bank, McDonalds, McMillan Print, MLC, National Rugby League, NSW Ambulance Service, NSW Fire Brigades, NSW Government, NSW Health, NSW Minerals Council, OPTUS, Origin Energy Limited, Oroton Group Limited, Perpetual Limited, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Proctor & Gamble, Property Council of Australia, Radisson Plaza Hotel Sydney, Red Agency, Reserve Bank of Australia, St George Bank, Sims Group, Spicer Paper, Starcom, State Street Global Advisors, Surf Life Saving Australia, Swaab Attorneys, Sydney Chamber of Commerce, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, Sydney Observatory, Sydney Opera House, Telstra, Tetsuya's, The CEO Institute, The Observatory Hotel, The Westin Sydney, Toga Hospitality, TorchMedia, Transport Infrastructure Development, Virgin Money, Virgin Unite, Whybin TBWA, Woolworths Limited.
Find out more
Rachael Hoy, Press Office, WWF-Australia
Phone: 02 8202 1242
Mobile: 0415 643 165
Email: rhoy@wwf.org.au
Kristy Bloxsome, Red Agency
Phone: 02 9963 7718
Mobile: 0417 820 877
Email: kristy.bloxsome@redagency.com.au
