On Saturday 23th March 2013 at 20:30, Jumeirah Group joined the world in celebrating the annual global ‘Earth Hour’ with its luxury properties around the world dimming their lights for an hour.

In Dubai, Burj Al Arab extinguished all non-essential lights. Jumeriah Zabeel Saray turned off all exterior lights, as well as dimming lights in its restaurants, lounges, meeting rooms, spa areas and the lobby. Jumeirah Emirates Towers turned off its cold cathode lights in the lower and upper atrium balcony as well as lights on the ramps, facade and the fins on both the hotel and office towers. Madinat Jumeirah including Al Qasr, Dar Al Masyaf and Mina Al Salam also took part by switching off all the external and internal non-essential lighting for one hour; and Jumeirah Living World Trade Centre ensured that all computers, non-essential lights and water features were switched off, in addition to the external lights. Jumeirah Beach Hotel turned off exterior lights, conference center lights, tennis court area flood lamps, roof top flag focusing lights, flood lights and the lights in the hotel atrium.

In Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers turned off all external lighting leaving the building beautifully silhouetted against the moonlit night. And in London Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel showed support by turning off all external lights, dimming lights in the lobby, setting up candles in all public areas and serving guests dinner by candlelight.

In the Maldives, Jumeirah Vittaveli and Jumeirah Dhevanafushi served their guests candlelit dinners and arranged yoga and other activities by candlelight. And in Shanghai Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel extinguished all the exterior LED lighting on the building and invited guests to switch off their room lights – which most of them chose to do.

Pera Palace Hotel, Jumeirah in Istanbul switched off its exterior lights; while Jumeirah Port Soller in Mallorca, Spain, ensured that all non-essential lighting was either off or dimmed, including the façade of the hotel. Jumeirah Port Soller, a LEED certified hotel which opened in April 2013, was designed to be energy efficient. All the Jumeirah restaurant outlets also took part in Earth Hour.

Earth Hour originally started in Sydney on 31st March 2007, when 2.2 million people and 2,100 businesses turned off their lights for one hour. Many major cities, inspired by the collective effort, have since joined Earth Hour, making this a global movement. In 2008, Dubai became the first city in the Middle East to take part in the event and Jumeirah has been an active participant ever since. All Earth Hour events are designed with guest safety in mind and with a view to reminding people to protect the environment for future generations.