Egypt will join nations worldwide in observing Earth Hour 2025, the global initiative to switch off lights, under the theme “Together Towards the Biggest Earth Hour.” The Ministry of Environment has announced Egypt’s participation, urging citizens, institutions, and tourist landmarks to turn off non-essential lights and electrical appliances, and light candles for one hour, from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM on Saturday, March 22, 2025.
The initiative aims to raise awareness about the dangers of excessive energy consumption and its negative impacts on the planet, including climate change and global warming. It also seeks to promote positive behaviors aimed at preserving the environment and ensuring a sustainable future.
Minister of Environment, Dr. Yasmine Fouad, emphasized the increasing impact of climate change on various regions and countries, manifested in extreme weather events, floods, fires, biodiversity loss, and land degradation. This year’s call to participate in Earth Hour is a call to reach the largest global participation, reflecting increased awareness and a desire to engage positively in facing environmental challenges. Last year, Earth Hour saw the participation of over 180 countries and regions, totaling 1.4 million hours, a significant increase from 410,000 hours in 2023. The world is now aiming for a new record in 2025.
Egypt has been participating in this global initiative, organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature, since 2008, joining 88 countries, 4,000 cities, and 929 iconic landmarks worldwide in switching off lights in solidarity with the planet. Egypt is among the first Arab countries to participate in Earth Hour, with over 3.5 billion people participating globally.
Every year, the Ministry of Environment coordinates with various ministries, governorates, and governmental bodies to participate in the event by switching off lights at key tourist landmarks. This aims to raise awareness about the importance of taking positive and serious steps to reduce consumption rates and stop resource waste by changing daily practices to minimize environmental impacts and reduce carbon emissions.
Earth Hour, which began in Sydney, Australia in 2007, has grown into the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment, inspiring individuals, communities, businesses, and organizations in over 188 countries and regions to take concrete actions against climate change. Participating in Earth Hour is a way to engage individuals in addressing climate change and harness the collective power of millions worldwide to highlight the issue.
