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Can an Hour change the world?
Since 2007, Earth Hour has been known as the biggest hour for the planet as millions of people switch their “lights off” as a symbolic action for the environment.
Over the years it has seen the Pyramids, Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Majal, the Colosseum, Table Mountain and other key landmarks that have shown support for this global movement. Gibraltar has also joined in casting the Moorish Castle and the North face of the Rock in darkness for an hour and local twitter accounts have shown many families having their dinner in darkness in solidarity with the cause.
As we count down towards Earth Hour 2024, the Gibraltar Small Business Federation (GFSB) is partnering with Prof Daniella Tilbury, who helped establish this global movement in 2007. Together they will offer a series of initiatives that support the transition of Gibraltar businesses towards sustainability to include; sector specific input through panels and workshops; events involving international speakers and business strategists; podcasts and social media coverage to share examples of best practice from our membership.
GFSB Chairman, Owen Smith explains ‘Earth Hour provides the platform for our members to convene over this important issue. We recognise that this is much more than switching off lights as we come to experience, first hand, the effects of environmental changes on the Rock.’
Many GFSB members have committed to this initiative and are already engaged in embracing business strategies and practices that support a circular economy, reduce consumption and limit impact on the planet.
Stuart Hedley from EBikes shared how: ‘we very much like to practise what we preach when it comes to environmentally aware business operations. Packaging that arrives is either utilised for display purposes or recycled, and the brands that we represent are dedicated to creating products that are renowned for their longevity. They use sustainable materials and manufacturing processes which have minimal environmental impact.’
The Bassadone Automotive Group’s (BAG) has embraced the principles of sustainability as an operational objective. Executive Chairman, Kevin Jones explains: ‘Our relocation to our new state-of-the-art facilities involved developing and improving old derelict dockyard warehouses; promoting urban renewal and environmental and social sustainability practices. BAG’s commitment to these has been publicly recognised, whilst superseding expected energy standards through the use of renewable energy sources.”
Trusted Novus Bank is to become the ‘Green Bank of Choice’. Christian Bjorlow from TNB shares how ‘Over the last year we have worked on increasing our knowledge of climate change and its impact, collaborating directly with our clients as a relationship centric organisation. We have formed an ESG Focus Group with the sole mission of ensuring that we keep momentum on ESG and our values also reflect this. Currently we are working on calculating our CO2 emissions and how we intend to reduce these as much as possible in any form or way. We are Banking on a greener Future.’
Arianne Costa from Deloitte Limited explains how “Regulators globally continue implementing new climate disclosure requirements to help hold companies accountable to their climate targets, and to be a part of the climate solution; ranging from greenwashing crackdowns to tracking carbon emissions and disclosing its own climate-related risks. We very much look forward to continuing these important conversations in our community and Earth Hour highlights the urgent call for action.”
Prof Daniella Tilbury sees Earth Hour as an opportunity as well as responsibility for local businesses. ‘The way we do business is changing as we come to terms with climate change, for example, is affecting of our operations, procurement, products and services. Engaging with this agenda helps businesses to be ready for the green transition and help them build the type of partnerships and relationships that ensure that they are fit for the future.’
Daniella formed part of the WWF Australia Board and team that established Earth Hour in 2007 and which has since extended to become the world’s largest grassroots effort for the environment, engaging millions of people across more than 190 countries and territories. You can learn more about the initiative at https://www.earthhour.org/.
The initiative recognises that much can achieved beyond the 60 minutes of the switch-off. Changes happen when efforts join up as businesses and communities in come together to take steps to a more climate safe and responsible future.
Earth Hour will take place on 23rd March 2024 at 8.30pm. Please visit the GFSB website for the latest information on this initiative. If you would like to join please reach out to Georgina Weeks gfsb@gfsb.gi
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