Lights were turned off from 8.30pm to 9.30pm yesterday as a number of public and private organisations observed Earth Hour in Qatar.
Iconic landmarks across the world observe Earth Hour, the global climate change awareness campaign, every year.
Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) led the Earth Hour celebrations at Katara yesterday evening. All lights across different buildings and the amphitheatre at the cultural village were turned off for an hour to mark the occasion.
Kahramaa, which pilots the national programme for conservation and energy efficiency (Tarsheed), said in a statement yesterday that the gesture to turn off lights and electrical appliances for an hour in many of the country’s government buildings, hotels and other establishments reflected Qatar’s wholehearted commitment to the campaign and was an expression of solidarity with the global initiative.
The corporation had joined hands with Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and United Development Company for its campaign, ‘Gift Earth One Hour’, to observe Earth Hour this year.
Abdulla al-Jassim, director of public relations and communications at Kahramaa,  said the organisation was trying to spread awareness on the need to save energy and rationalisate consumption among individuals.
While highlighting the necessity for changes in one’s lifestyle over the years, the Tarsheed campaign also looks forward to achieving more sustainability in the country in line with the goals and objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030, said the official.
Meanwhile, QTA director of PR and communications Faisal bin Ahmed al-Mohannadi hailed the  participation of both the public and private sectors in the Earth Hour celebrations.
He said a number of hotels and tourism agencies in the country took part in the initiative yesterday.
The ministry of economy and commerce, too, participated in the Earth Hour celebrations by switching off lights at its building from 8.30pm to 9.30pm yesterday.
Tariq Abdul Aziz al-Sada, senior PR and communications director at the MEC, said: “The celebrations reflect Qatar’s commitment to rationalise the use of its energy resources and reduction in the consumption of electricity. It also helps create awareness about the need for protecting the environment and natural reserves.”