Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organized by the World Wildlife Fund. The event is held annually, encouraging individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights, for one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. today, Saturday, March 26, as a symbol of commitment to the planet.
Earth hour is an opportunity for millions of people all around the world to take part in Earth hour and show their support for climate change. By switching off your lights for one hour, everyone can make a substantial difference in energy consumption and can help reduce the effect of global warming on this planet.
The theme of this year’s Earth Hour is ‘Shape Our Future‘. It is a pivotal year for everyone to shape the world for future generations by raising awareness about the damages to the climate that are impacting our world today.
Sands China Ltd. observed Earth Hour 2022 at its properties Saturday, turning off exterior lights and non-essential indoor lights for one hour in support of the annual global event. It is the company’s 14th straight year joining businesses and individuals around the world in the lights-off activity, with all Sands China properties taking part: Sands® Macao; The Venetian®Macao; The Plaza® Macao featuring Four Seasons; The Parisian Macao; and The Londoner® Macao, comprising The Londoner Hotel, Londoner Court, St. Regis, Conrad, and Sheraton.
Earth Hour was founded in 2007 with a goal of raising awareness of climate change by encouraging eco-conscious individuals, communities, households and businesses around the world to turn off their lights for one hour.
Besides participating in Earth Hour, Sands China has been taking the initiative since 2013 to observe Earth Hour each month. The company’s resorts turn off exterior lights, signage and marquees for one hour on the first Tuesday of each month, in an effort to maximise the positive environmental effects of the energy-saving movement.
Sean McCreery, senior vice president of resort operations for Sands China Ltd., said: “Sands China is very pleased to be supporting Earth Hour for 14 years running. Raising consciousness is a crucial first step in prompting people to take action against climate change, and Earth Hour remains one of the most visible global initiatives in that regard. Besides the very real effects of reducing energy consumption, Earth Hour, along with our properties’ monthly observances, are an important reminder that all of us have a significant role to play in living and promoting an eco-friendly lifestyle and operating environmentally responsible businesses.”
Since 2019, Sands China’s varied sustainability measures have resulted in 26 Million kWh of annualized energy savings to date.
In Macao, Chine, Earth Hour was yesterday, on Saturday, March 26 China time
Here is what one hotel or resort alone can do:
In 2021 alone, Sands China’s environmentally responsible achievements included:
- 275 gigajoules of renewable energy generated by a solar thermal hybrid system
- 909,000 kWh energy saved
- More than 99% of LED lighting is used across Sands China’s properties
- US$1.95 million invested in energy-efficiency projects
- 40,000 MWh International renewable energy certificates purchased
- Over 4,000 eco-friendly actions
- Absolute Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (indirect) emissions decreased 32% compared to a 2018 baseline (including impacts from the pandemic)
- Started installation of the high-temperature heat pump at The Plaza Macao, replacing the need for liquid petroleum gas boilers
- Enhancements to central control and management systems at The Venetian Macao, with improvements across all properties planned over the next few years; upgrades to unique systems that can be connected and pave the way for more advanced intelligence and automation
- Teams members purchased LED lighting products and recycled light bulbs during two-week Energy Saving Roadshow in support of World Environment Day 2021
Sands China’s awards and recognitions in 2021 included:
- All hotels at Sands China properties hold a Macao Green Hotel Gold Award: Sands Macao, The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, Four Seasons, Sheraton, Conrad, St. Regis, and The Londoner Macao
- Listing in Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for DJSI Asia Pacific
- Ranked 9th in 6th Hong Kong Business Sustainability Index (HKBSI)
- Ranked 8th in 2nd Greater Bay Area Business Sustainability Index (GBABSI)
- Ranked 17th in 1st Greater China Business Sustainability Index (GCBSI)
- Ranked 9th in 1st Hotel Business Sustainability Index (Hotel BSI)
- Listing in FTSE4Good Index Series
Sands China’s environmental sustainability efforts are part of the Sands ECO360 global sustainability strategy of parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp. Sands ECO360 is designed to utilize measures like energy saving, resource recycling, conservation, and community engagement in order to help minimize the company’s environmental impact and lead the way in sustainable building development and resort operations.
Next year, Earth Hour will be on Saturday, March 25, 2023