Earth Hour, launched nine years ago by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), is the world’s largest movement aimed at bringing people together to protect the planet and highlight environmental issues. Every year, millions of people switch off their lights for one hour in an effort to recognise the importance of fighting climate change.
Qatar Airways
To mark Earth Hour on 25 March 2017, Qatar Airways switched off the lights at its corporate headquarters between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm in an effort to encourage communities and individuals to come together to highlight the importance of combatting climate change. The airline created an internal awareness campaign to encourage the participation of its staff at home and boost awareness of the global initiative.
Qatar Airways is a strong supporter of the environmental pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030, and has in place programmes to monitor and manage electricity consumption throughout its operations. The airline seeks to reduce its environmental footprint by investing in new technologies, making changes to operations, and raising awareness to change behaviours. One initiative to help manage electricity is a project to fit automatic timers to exterior building lights to ensure these are not left on during daylight hours. So far this year, a total of 87 timers have been fitted to 36 buildings with plans to continue the project throughout the coming year.
The Ritz-Carlton, Doha
The Ritz-Carlton, Doha switched off its non-essential lighting in the hotel for an hour on 25 March 2017 to support the World Wildlife Fund (WFF) Earth Hour, an international ecological initiative that brings attention to sustainability issues on our planet and how individuals and companies 
can make a difference.
The Ritz-Carlton, Doha hosted a candlelight yoga session for hotel guests held at the Spa during Earth Hour, conducted by the hotel’s fitness instructor. Minutes before the hour, guests switched off their non-essential lights and gathered around the Lobby Lounge, where they were offered complimentary Arabic coffee prepared the traditional way without the use of gas and electricity. After witnessing the synchronised lights out, candles illuminated the lounge and guests cozied up on the lounge chairs to enjoy a laidback evening.
Oryx Rotana Doha
Oryx Rotana, a five star luxury business hotel in Doha owned by Qatar Airways and under the supervision of Rotana Hotel Management Corporation PJSC, joined the rest of the world and celebrate Earth Hour on Saturday, 25 March 2017 at 8:30PM local time.
The hotel turned off the lights in hotel exteriors, some of the back-of-the-house areas and guest room corridors whereas public areas’ and restaurants’ lights will be dimmed. Guests was encouraged to participate by turning off the lights in their guest rooms.
A couple of initiatives are also being implemented by employees through a candlelight dinner at staff cafeteria, calculation of energy units saved during the event and an awareness video for this year’s Earth Hour.
The St. Regis Doha
The St. Regis Doha joins millions around the world in turning off their lights for Earth Hour 2017 to illuminate a powerful message about environmental awareness and action. The ‘finest address in Qatar’ initiated a range of energy-saving measures during Earth Hour including turning off unnecessary lightings and using candlelight in appropriate public areas such as restaurants and outlets.
Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel
Museum of Islamic Art
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