Above: Epson A/NZ MD Craig Heckenberg.
Epson has become the first ever international corporate partner with Earth Hour, the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment.
Known best for its “lights off” moment, Earth Hour is held every year on the last Saturday of March and engages supporters in more than 190 countries and territories.
As part of the newly announced corporate partnership, both organisations will increase awareness around Earth Hour 2024 and Hour Bank, an online counter of planet-positive activities, and introduce daily energy saving action.
Epson has also implemented various initiatives to Earth Hour’s goal in achieving decarbonisation, such as increasing the efficiency of electricity use and switching to100 per cent renewable electricity at all Epson group sites.
Epson Australia and New Zealand will also be undertaking key initiatives around and beyond Earth Hour.
“Epson is deeply committed to making a meaningful difference in promoting sustainability both in the environment and the communities we serve,” said Epson A/NZ MD Craig Heckenberg.
“Earth Hour and the continued local sustainability initiatives we are undertaking are key to and underscore that commitment,” said Heckenberg.
Epson publicly committed to becoming carbon negative and underground resource free in its Environmental Vision 2050.
Earlier this year, Epson announced that, as of December 2023, all electricity used at Epson Group sites around the globe is from renewable sources – making Epson the first in the domestic manufacturing industry to complete the transition to renewable electricity at all its sites worldwide.
Global president Yasunori Ogawa said Epson is proud to be the first international partner for Earth Hour.
“Since our founding, we have upheld the mission of coexistence with local communities as a manufacturing company that coexists with nature and people’s lives,” said Ogawa.
“While fulfilling our mission as a company, we also believe that the importance for each of us to take action as a member of society eventually makes big differences. Through this partnership, we hope to expand understanding and empathy for environmental activities and provide the opportunity as many people as possible to take action.”
Yves Calmette, senior director, brand and network communications for International Earth Hour, said the partnership with Epson represents a united front when it comes to this year’s event.
“Together we can unleash the power of collective action – but we need everyone’s involvement to make it the biggest hour for Earth yet,” said Calmette.
“We want Earth Hour to be a moment of celebration for our one shared home – our planet. Earth Hour isn’t just about acknowledging the problem, it’s about celebrating the solutions. We want Earth Hour to be a beacon of hope, so that we can build a brighter, more sustainable future for all.”
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