On the last Saturday of March each year, people worldwide come together and stand in solidarity for our planet by switching off non-essential lighting from 8:30 to 9:30 pm.
This symbolic gesture, known as Earth Hour, was first launched in Sydney back in 2007 as an annual event promoting awareness around protecting and preserving our environment.
Brother Australia is thrilled to recognise and support the efforts of WWF’s Earth Hour. This Earth Hour, we’re being encouraged to switch off and join the millions of people globally taking #TimeOutForNature.
Brother Australia is pleased to announce the building management at its Sydney headquarters is participating in Earth Hour by switching off all non-essential lighting from 8:30 to 9:30 pm on Saturday, 25 March 2023.
This commitment underpins the building’s credentials including the landmark being certified by the Green Building Council of Australia with a 5 Star Green Star rating. The site has also been applauded for attaining a highly commendable 5.5 Star NABERS Energy rating.
Other Brother Australia state offices have also confirmed building lights and air conditioning will be turned off during this year’s Earth Hour.
CSR & Compliance Manager Alex Rodriguez said Brother Australia has participated in Earth Hour for over a decade and is pleased to announce its participation again.
“Each year during Earth Hour, all Brother Australia sites and offices are in the dark in support of this global movement,” he said. “Earth Hour gives all Australians an opportunity to turn the small act of turning off the lights, into a significant step towards reducing their carbon footprint.”
“Tackling climate change begins with sustainable habits that can start off small. Why not make this your beginning towards a more sustainable future.”
Some of the ways people can reduce their environmental impact include switching off the lights, using public transport, disposing of waste responsibly and spending more time in nature.
Sustainability matters at Brother
This Earth Hour, Brother Australia team members are joining forces to celebrate our collective commitment to sustainability. Three of them share their perspectives on why Earth Hour matters and how they'll be participating.
For Marketing Specialist Stephanie Halbisch, Earth Hour is a timely reminder to reduce her carbon footprint and take time out to contact a relative.
“As someone who insists on turning off lights, appliances and power points when they’re generally not in use – I love the idea of calling a loved one during Earth Hour! None of my immediate family lives in my city, so Earth Hour is the perfect time to switch off any distractions and jump on a FaceTime call to catch up,” Stephanie said.
Meanwhile Dorothy McDonald, Head of People & Culture, noted it’s a great opportunity to support a global initiative while admiring the tranquillity of her surroundings.
“I will spend Earth Hour sitting on our balcony in candlelight enjoying the peace of our bushland setting, the beautiful night sky as well as some quiet time without any electronic distractions,” Dorothy said.
As for Jade Coote, Head of Marketing, Earth Hour allows her family to reconnect with nature in a more pure, unaltered form.
“My son has a keen interest in photography right now and we have a reasonable DSLR camera, which I normally have on auto, so I’m looking forward to spending time with him learning together how to capture the perfect night-time image. I remember how different the night sky looked during lockdown with so many less lights. Earth Hour should provide a similar opportunity,” Jade said.
#sutainabilitymatters
Brother is committed to reducing its impact on the environment
Brother remains dedicated to sustainability, as outlined in its Global Charter. To make a positive contribution towards sustainable development on an ongoing basis, Brother's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives take into consideration the environmental effects of all business activities.
Ensuring safety and respect for the environment is a cornerstone of Brother's product creation process. From concept to manufacturing, customer use, recycling and beyond - Brother prioritises eco-friendly practices at every stage with stringent standards in place that drive sustainability efforts.
Brother has actively taken steps towards a more sustainable future by developing the 5R concept. Brother Australia is guided by these environmental policies, adopting the 5R concept to REDUCE, REUSE, REFUSE, REFORM and RECYCLE. For more information, please visit our page on Brother Australia’s environmental activities.