Media releases

Westpac turns lights off for Earth Hour

 

30 March 2012

The Westpac Group will again this year be supporting Earth Hour, switching off its lights and sky signage in corporate offices across Australia on Saturday March 31.

Tim Williams, Acting Head of Group Sustainability said Earth Hour is a fantastic reminder for everyone to consider their carbon footprint, and ways in which they can reduce this.

“As a financial institution with relationships right across society, we play a pivotal role helping our employees, customers and the broader community to adapt and take advantage of the low-carbon economy of the future.

“The Westpac Group including, St.George, BankSA, Bank of Melbourne and BT Financial Group will all be turning off lights and sky signage in our corporate offices in the CBD across Australia. We’re also encouraging our employees and customers to get involved and turn off lights and all non-essential electrical items, such as computers, photocopiers and printers.

“Westpac has been tackling environmental issues for over 15 years, reducing our own footprint, and contributing to the awareness of climate change.

“Westpac recognises climate change as an environmental, economic and business risk and is committed to developing practical solutions to assist Australian business and the community to respond and position for the low-carbon economy of the future.

“We have taken responsibility for our environmental footprint by reducing Westpac’s emissions by almost 40% since 1996, which is equivalent to taking 18,888 cars off the road for a year,” said Mr Williams.

Action for Earth Hour

  • The Westpac Group (including Westpac, St.George, BankSA, Bank of Melbourne and BT Financial Group) will turn off the on-floor lights in most of its corporate offices across Australia for Earth Hour. 
  • In Sydney, the Westpac Group’s three main buildings (Westpac Place, 60 Martin Place and 182 George St), will be completely dark, apart from essential security lighting. 
  • At all other corporate offices, all occupied floor lights will be turned off. As a tenant at various sites, The Westpac Group is also working with the relevant building owners to encourage full participation in Earth Hour. 
  • All sky signs of The Westpac Group will be turned off, including the iconic ‘barometer’ on the top of Westpac Place in Sydney and the sky signs on St.George's 182 George St head office and Westpac House, Adelaide's tallest building. 
  • The Westpac Group will maintain all essential security lighting, (including ATMs) to ensure employee and customer safety. 
  • Key Westpac, St.George, BankSA and Bank of Melbourne branches will be participating in Earth Hour. 
  • Employees and customers are encouraged to participate in Earth Hour.

For further information on The Westpac Group’s commitment to corporate responsibility and sustainability visit Sustainability

For Earth Hour information and to measure your environmental footprint, visit http://www.earthhour.org.au