Hanoi will turn off lights for an hour on March 25 in response to Earth Hour, the world’s largest movement to protect the planet.

The event aims to raise community awareness and responsibility for economical and efficient energy use, climate change response, and environmental protection.

People of Hanoi cycle to promote Earth Hour 2022 in March 2022. Photo: The Hanoi Times

Public and advertising lighting in some public areas and streets in Hanoi, except for hospital, traffic, and security lights in key areas, will be turned off from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on March 25.

The economic and efficient use of energy will be disseminated through the media, and the Earth Hour campaign will be publicized in communes, wards, districts, and neighborhoods in the city through socio-political organizations.

These activities are aimed at calling on organizations and individuals to voluntarily participate in making environmental changes that will contribute to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and complying with the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy.

Earth Hour 2023 marks Vietnam's 14th participation in the campaign. During Earth Hour 2022, Hanoi joined the cities and provinces nationwide in turning off lights for one hour, which helped save 309,000 kWh of electricity, equivalent to VND576 million (US$24,334).

Earth Hour is an annual international event initiated by the World Wildlife Fund in 2007 to raise public awareness about climate change and energy saving.

Initiated in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour has since gained millions of supporters in over 190 countries and territories and more than 7,000 cities. It's a community-led movement that sees millions turn off their lights in a symbolic action to raise awareness of the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss.