Hilton Colombo observes Earth Hour 2012 in support of energy conservation

Hilton Colombo plans to mark Earth Hour 2012 from 8:30p.m. to 9:30p.m. local time on Saturday, 31 March as people and organisations around the world turn off their lights in support of action on global climate change. Hilton Colombo along with 3,800 hotels that are part of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of brands are expected to take part in the event that will mobilise more than one billion people worldwide.  

“We are pleased to join this global effort that galvanises organisations and individuals around the world to symbolically switch off their lights in support of energy conservation,” said Hilton Colombo General Manager Rudolf Tröstler. “We aim to make Earth Hour meaningful, fun and engaging for our guests while also enriching our guest experience. Hilton Colombo encourages all our guests to join in on the movement,” Tröstler added.

Keeping in line with the Earth Hour theme of 60+, Spices, Spoons and the Thorana Lounge will be switching off their lighting for one hour, allowing diners to enjoy their dinner by candle light. Spices restaurant will be serving an authentic Hydrabadi themed buffet that is created by the hotel’s very own Indian Chef Pawan Singhl. Spoons has gone a step further by creating a four course proximity/organic set menu, with most of the ingredients being sourced locally from within the Colombo district and all produce being organically grown. The objective of sourcing the ingredients from within Colombo is to reduce the carbon footprint.

Guests can also enjoy the Earth Hour Jazz night at the hotel’s exquisite Thorana Lounge and bar with live jazz music – “unplugged” for guests to serenade the night away. The hotel’s well-known Fine Things pastry shop joins in on the celebrations with green themed, organic cup cakes. The cupcakes will be prepared by the chefs at the hotel using fresh organic ingredients with a host of flavours such as carrot, pineapple, beetroot, banana and mango.   

Other activities planned out to observe Earth Hour would include the lighting candles along with organic cupcakes in the shape of the Earth Hour 60 + sign which will illuminate the lobby. All guests are invited at 8.30p.m. on the 31 March to indulge in an intricately designed organic cupcake display in the 60+ logo.  All monies collected as donations for the sale of the organic cup cakes will be used towards a tree planting initiative by the Hilton Colombo in the following month keeping to the symbolic gesture of going beyond the hour.  

The hotel will also observe Earth Hour by switching off all non-essential lights including laundry machines, boilers, swimming pool pumps, the pond, the tennis court lights, concessionaire shop lights, and building lights. Moreover the hotel will shut down one elevator and the back corridor lights will be reduced by 50 per cent while all the floor corridors will be kept on emergency lighting for one hour. The well known Hilton neon logo will also be switched off as a symbolic gesture to further demonstrate the hotel’s support to Earth Hour.   

Organised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Earth Hour began in 2007 as a way for individuals to show how simple steps can make a significant impact on reducing greenhouse gases and addressing climate change. The event has turned into a global movement. More than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries worldwide switched off their lights for Earth Hour 2011 alone, sending a powerful message for action on climate change. It also ushered in a new era with members going ‘Beyond the Hour’ to commit to lasting action for the planet.

Hilton Worldwide is the first major multi-brand hospitality company to make sustainability measurement a brand standard and recently earned ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications for quality and environmental management – one of the largest volume certifications awarded for commercial buildings. As part of that standard, Hilton Worldwide-branded properties commit to continuous improvements to their overall sustainability results each year. Across the portfolio, Hilton Worldwide has a made a five-year commitment, from 2009 to 2014, to reduce energy consumption by 20 per cent, CO2 emissions by 20 per cent, waste output by 20 percent and water consumption by 10 per cent.

In 2010 alone, Hilton Worldwide saved more than $74 million in utility costs through a 6.6 per cent reduction of energy use; 7.8 per cent reduction of carbon output; 19 per cent reduction of waste output; and 3.8 per cent reduction of water use. Hilton Worldwide’s global giving is currently focused on creating vibrant and sustainable communities wherever we operate.