DUBAI — On Saturday, 23 March, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC, will support the single, largest global warming awareness initiative, Earth Hour, by switching off non-essential lighting in its 82 properties across the world, for one hour at 8.30pm local time. All nine properties in the Middle East, will participate in the initiative, founded by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), which sees millions of people across the globe joining together as a symbolic show of concern for the environment. As well as switching off the lights, The Ritz-Carlton hotels across the region are staging a number of events for in-house guests and residents, to allow them to share in this inspirational global movement, and join the experience of working towards a greener environment. The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre will turn off the air conditioning and all the lights in its public areas, including the stunning limestone façade, and its eight water features will remain still for the hour. The hotel will also host “Cocktails by Candlelight,” an event for guests and residents, wishing to join the hotel in raising environmental awareness across Dubai and the region. The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh has been busy preparing by filling 6,000 paper bags with sand, to hold the thousands of candles that will be displayed throughout the grand palace hotel, in replacement of the lighting. The Ritz-Carlton, Doha will celebrate Earth Hour with “candlelight yoga” available for guests to participate in and pastry chefs will create an Earth Hour-themed cookie for the evening. Pascal Duchauffour, Area Vice President, Europe, Middle East & Africa, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, comments: “The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is committed to working towards a more sustainable future, by preserving natural resources and minimizing our impact on the environment. “Earth Hour is a fantastic forum for us to exercise this commitment and to join the fight against global warming, as well as helping to raise awareness for the importance of environmental responsibility, across the Middle East, and the globe”. Participating in Earth Hour, is in-line with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company's Corporate Social Responsibility program, Community Footprints, and its guiding principles; to engage, contribute and inspire. Environmental responsibility is a key pillar of the program, and the global strategy includes water and energy conservation programs, recycling initiatives, sourcing environmentally preferred products, and increasing organic dining and spa options. To experience the activities in ‘real-time' as they take place around the world follow on twitter @RitzCarltonCSR. — SG
