Release of 21.03.2013
On March 23 2013, all over the world people will be called to set a positive signal towards climate protection by switching off any lights or illuminations for one hour (20.30 PM CET – 21.30 PM CET). Earth Hour was founded by WWF in 2007 and is the biggest action worldwide regarding climate protection. Having started as a rather small kick-off event in Sydney it has turned out to become a global movement. In 2012 the event reached more than 2.0 billion people in 7,000 cities and 152 countries.
All other eight subsidiaries which are all committed to a global Telekom Austria Group environmental policy will go for the event and will set similar actions in Austria, Bulgaria, Belarus, Croatia, Slovenia, Republic of Serbia, Republic of Macedonia and Liechtenstein.
For the fourth time, A1, the leading telecommunications company in Austria, will turn off the lights at the Arsenal radio tower as well as any outdoor lighting in A1 Shops across the country. The A1 Shop lights will be switched off even throughout the whole night. Via social media such as Twitter or Facebook customers in Austria will be addressed to also engage with the event. President Heinz Fischer, Chancellor Werner Faymann and several ministers of the federal government will support the initiative. All major landmarks of the capital cities will stay dark during Earth Hour.
The Bulgarian subsidiary Mobiltel plans to support this worldwide initiative as follows: In every Mtel store special packages with seeds will be distributed to customers. The gift symbolizes a reminder of the campaign. The package will include information about the Earth Hour - in addition lights will be turned off in all stores where technically possible.
The Croatian subsidiary Vipnet will switch off any outdoor lighting throughout the Vipnet headquarters, in the shops and regional offices. This will be accompanied with an online campaign on social media platforms that will encourage customers to do the same.
The Slovenian subsidiary Si.mobil, well reputed for its sustainable environmental policy and engagement, will also switch off the lights in the shops and will accompany the event on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
The Serbian provider Vip mobile will start an SMS and social media campaign towards its customers to participate in the "Earth Hour". During the "Earth Hour" event light boxes on Vip headquarters building and Vip points of sales across Serbia will be turned off.
In Macedonia, the lights will be turned off throughout the entire headquarter premises of Vip operator in Skopje, including illuminated company logos. Window lights will stay dark in all shops countrywide.
mobilkom Liechtenstein and velcom in Belarus will also keep the lights shut down of all of their shops during Earth Hour. Additionally, velcom will support the Earth Hour by switching off lighting and illumination in the building of the velcom center in Minsk.
All companies will also be engaged in an internal communication campaign towards its group wide 16,450 employees via SMS/MMS communication, banners on the Intranet, information on internal plasma screens and internal news magazines. There will be also flyers in elevators and other points of contact to motivate employees to participate in the event.
Notes to the Editor
Telekom Austria Group is committed to conducting its business in a way that minimizes negative impacts und maximizes the benefits of our business on people and the environment. The company's growth and success is not only measured in terms of monetary value but also in considering the consequences of activities on the environment. Thus, all possible business development needs to be conducted with as little impact to the environment as achievable.
The influence on environmental matters begins with the choice of suppliers, their commitment to international standards and their range of products, by taking into account their ecological footprint. In operating the network the Group is aware that it has a broader impact on the environment - every action affects resources, land, air and the climate. Telekom Austria Group wants to establish sustainability as an integral part of all business processes and of all employees' everyday lives. The Group is also committed to creating own standards (whenever possible at a higher level than local practices) and to managing and reporting on the environmental performance in an open and transparent manner.