WWF award for The Highland Council

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Ahead of WWF's annual Earth Hour on Saturday 25 March 2017, The Highland Council is again celebrating after being awarded WWF Scotland's Earth Hour Local Authority Runner-up Award for its contribution to the success of Earth Hour in 2016.

Some of the Highland's best known landmarks, including Inverness Cathedral, Ruthven Barracks and Eilean Donan Castle, joined the likes of the Eiffel Tower and Sydney Opera House in switching off for an hour last March. Globally, a record 178 countries participated.

Councillor Audrey Sinclair, Chair of the Council’s Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee, congratulated staff and Highland residents for making the Earth Hour initiative so successful. She said: “Earth Hour is such an important event in raising collective awareness of our need to focus on reducing carbon emissions worldwide. As such, this is an excellent award for Highland, and recognises the effort both our staff and residents have made in demonstrating their commitment to addressing climate change issues by taking part in this worthwhile initiative. I’d like to thank WWF Scotland for recognising the efforts made in Highland.”

She added: “For the tenth consecutive year, the Council is calling on local people and businesses to back WWF’s Earth Hour and support the collective effort in tackling climate change, and we will once again be switching off some of the most iconic landmarks in Highland, as well as organising fun events to raise awareness of important global issues. This year, we'd like to see more people than ever before in Highland switch off their lights off for an hour between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on 25 March.”

Donald MacPherson,  Teacher at Strathpeffer Primary, said: “Strathpeffer Primary is  working hard to earn its green flag as part of the Eco-Schools programme, and participating in Earth Hour fits perfectly with the activities being undertaken.  The P6 class in particular has been learning about how climate change affects our planet in the run up to the event. The school is looking forward to the Earth Hour assembly with WWF Earth Hour Officer Jenny Brown, and are delighted to be chosen to keep the Earth Hour award on behalf of the Council.”

Jenny Brown, Earth Hour Officer from WWF said: "It was fantastic to visit the Highlands to congratulate The Highland Council for their good work in recognizing Earth Hour and raising awareness of the event and climate change throughout the Highlands".  Lang Banks, Director of WWF Scotland, added:  “I’m absolutely delighted to be able to recognise Highland Council for all their ongoing efforts in support of our annual Earth Hour initiative. This award clearly demonstrates the massive commitment of the Council and its residents to tackling climate change and protecting our brilliant planet. We look forward to working with the Highlands again for Earth Hour 2017.” 

Councillor Isabelle Campbell, Vice Chair of Education, Children and Adult Services Committee, said: “We were delighted that the council has been recognised for our efforts in promoting and supporting WWF’s Earth Hour. We are proud to be taking part for the tenth year in a row, and I would encourage as many Highland residents as possible to get involved, turn their lights off for an hour on 25th March and get on board for this important global event.”

To celebrate Earth Hour 2017, the Council has arranged for the floodlighting to be switched off at key landmarks including Inverness Castle, Urquhart Castle and Packhorse Bridge in Carrbridge. In addition, the Council has teamed up with Eden Court cinema to screen a climate change film during Earth Hour, with Highlife Highland libraries who will offer a range of displays, talks and storytime, and also with the Highland Astronomical Society who are offering a free stargazing event.  Further details of these and other events will be found on both http://whatsonhighlands.com/ and http://www.wwf.org.uk/earthhour websites.

To take part in WWF’s Earth Hour 2016, please register on the WWF Scotland website http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/

9 Mar 2017