DUBAI // The world's tallest building and some of the UAE's most famous landmarks will switch off their lights for the annual Earth Hour campaign tomorrow.
The event, between 8.30 and 9.30pm, is to raise awareness of the need to be energy efficient.
The Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab in Dubai will be just some of the high-profile buildings turning off their lights for the event. They will be joined by businesses and communities across the country.
The Dubai Water and Electricity Authority said that if energy consumption in the emirate were reduced by 230 megawatts during Earth Hour, it would organise a "victory walk" to celebrate.
Dubai Municipality said it would turn off lights and other electrical equipment at its centres, and staff had been urged to do the same at home.
All of Emaar Properties's shopping centres, including Dubai Mall, will switch off outside and festival lights, and an Earth Hour Walk will take place at Burj Plaza.
In Abu Dhabi, volunteers from the property-services manager Khidmah will plant trees, and a children's art competition has been organised in its more than 50 communities.
"Khidmah encourages its team to work in a sustainable manner, such as recycling activities at our communities [and] installation of motion sensors for lighting for our government clients," said Abdulla Al Qamzi, the managing director of Khidmah.
Abu Dhabi Municipality has an event on the Corniche where residents can bring recyclables.
The Abu Dhabi Education Council is taking part by ensuring all its schools switch off their lights.
Earth Hour started in Sydney, Australia in 2007 but now has cities in 135 countries taking part. In 2009, the UAE became the first country in the Arab world to be involved.
