Over 1000 businesses commit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
22 Mar 2007
WWF Earth Hour - Australia's largest climate change initiative
Sydney, 22 March 2007: One week before the start of Earth Hour on Saturday March 31, 2007 when Sydney will be turning off lights for one hour at 7.30pm, over 1000 businesses have registered their commitment to Earth Hour.
This event, initiated by WWF-Australia, aims to cut Sydney's greenhouse gas emissions by 5% for the year following Earth Hour.
The three CBDs of Sydney, North Sydney and Parramatta make up Australia's largest business district - covering 5,000,000 sq metres of the country's office space. Having over one thousand businesses register their commitment to Earth Hour on the Earth Hour web site shows their serious effort to reduce threats linked to global warming.
Greg Bourne, CEO, WWF-Australia said: "Having one thousand businesses register their commitment to Earth Hour is a fantastic result - it shows that businesses can take action and are serious about addressing their greenhouse gas emissions."
Earth Hour is about engaging businesses and individuals to take simple actions that will collectively make the difference to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5%. Businesses turning off their lights when their offices are empty and turning off computers and office equipment rather than leaving them on standby is just one action.
Many businesses are working together to take other actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Property managers and corporate tenancies are working together to ensure that Sydney lights will be turned off on the night and identifying other ways to reduce electricity consumption.
"How different businesses across different sectors are working together to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is inspiring - and what is even more inspiring is how Earth Hour is bringing together and engaging business staff, businesses associates and customers, who all have the commitment to address climate change," said Greg Bourne.
All businesses and individuals are urged to support Earth Hour. To find out how your business or you can get involved at the Earth Hour website. Visitors to the site can pledge their support and sign up to receive a free Earth Hour online information pack.
Individuals to the site can pledge their support and be eligible to win a Toyota Prius.
Find out more
Angela Heck, Communications Manager - Partnerships, WWF-Australia
Phone: 02 8202 1268
Mobile: 0421 053 023
Email: aheck@wwf.org.au
Virgin Atlantic is the 1,000th business committed to Earth Hour. The Earth Hour website includes a full list of businesses committed to Earth Hour.
Key statistics
- Australia's commercial business sector is responsible for around 10% of national greenhouse gas emissions.
- Commercial tenancies typically consume in the order of 48% of the total energy use in office buildings which is 13% of the total commercial sector energy use.
- 60% of the total energy demand in the central business districts is attributed to stationery energy use.
