Australian Embassy to Participate in Earth Hour

The Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer, today welcomed Jakarta’s participation in Earth Hour, 8.30-9.30pm on Saturday 28 March, and announced the Australian Embassy and its staff were also pleased to be participating.

“In support of Earth Hour we will be turning out the lights at the Australian Embassy. We have also asked all staff to turn off unnecessary lights and electrical appliances at their residences,” said Ambassador Farmer.

Australia has strong cooperation with Indonesia on climate change – such as in reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) – but the commitment to environmental sustainability also extends to smaller initiatives, such as reducing the Embassy’s environmental footprint.

“We are promoting long-term environmental sustainability and energy reduction at the Embassy through initiatives to reduce air conditioning and by switching off equipment and lights when not in use,” he said. “These are simple measures that all individuals can implement in the home and workplace.”

Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia, in 2007 as an initiative of Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and in 2009 will see 74 cities worldwide switching off their lights for one hour. For the first time Jakarta, working in close cooperation with WWF Indonesia, will be participating.

“It’s great to see Jakarta participating in an initiative that commenced in Sydney only two years ago. We hope the event can raise awareness in Australia and Indonesia more broadly about how individual choices can make a difference to climate change mitigation efforts,” he said.

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Jenny Dee, Counsellor (Public Affairs) tel. (021) 2550 5290 mob. 0811 187 3175