Earth Hour action plan for Governments

To make Earth Hour successful in every city, we ask the local governments and leaders to commit to the following:

1. Switch off the lights in your state's CM's House and/or State Capitol Building at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2012.
2. Encourage major landmarks within the state to join the CM's House and/or State Capitol Building in "going dark" during Earth Hour.
3. Join our WWF state teams and collectively host public events, such as a press conference, launch event, Earth Hour rally, and/or Earth Hour VIP viewing to generate awareness and media coverage.
4. Reach out to the business community, the faith community, municipal and civic organizations, the media and other entities to create public awareness and support for Earth Hour. Encourage leaders within these respective groups to raise awareness about Earth Hour.
5. Encourage citizens to participate in Earth Hour in their homes and businesses.

 Go beyond the hour

The Government of India has a range of policies and programmes in development to aid ecologically sound growth.  As individuals and businesses increasingly take an active interest in understanding and taking action on climate change it is important that government a) continues to take tangible action as broader policies and programmes develop and b) engages and communicates with business and citizen stakeholders in an open manner. 

In the past Government organisations have successfully taken action during Earth Hour – this year governmental bodies can use Earth Hour + as a spring board to rejuvenate interaction and communication with citizens and promote leadership on environmental solutions.     

Policies and Programs:

• Augment policies supporting energy efficiency at a household level including expansion of product labelling schemes (moving more products into mandatory category).  Policy introduction needs to be supported by robust awareness campaigns that engage the wider public.
• Work is being undertaken to develop a set of sustainable procurement guidelines for Government. Where possible government departments can begin to take action by amending procurement policies to ensure purchase of star rated appliances where possible.
• Create a channel for clear communication of action and implementation of all National Action Plan on Climate Change Missions, most likely in the form of a website – perhaps linking from the PMO website.
• Build a set of guidelines for internal climate change action that can be scaled and applied to central ministries as well as municipal government.  This will include easy to implement measures such as behaviour change (switching off lights, turning off appliances at the wall) as well as more systematic changes (upgrading washrooms, installing more energy efficient appliances)
• Mandate energy audits at all Government and municipal buildings, with follow up action plans as part of the deliverable.

Communication and Interaction:

• Create a central repository (or portal) for government departments to be able to access information, tool and tips for energy efficiency and ‘green activities’
• Build a network of municipal councils (and perhaps state level governments) that share information and build capacity on relevant climate policies and programs
• Communicate activities clearly to the wider community (stakeholders) to encourage and inspire action, this can be done through websites, effective networks with NGOs and other public groups.  This also provides a mechanism for stakeholders to suggest action eg. Improved walkways, cycle safety, and increased numbers of buses.
• Encourage municipal governments to set climate targets and work towards them accordingly.  Targets should be around waste, transport and energy sources, which will all enable savings as well as better quality of life and cost savings.

Additional Points:

• Switch to LED table lamp while studying (in individual energy section)
• Switch to Laptop from desktops (in individual energy section)
• Switch off ignition of cars in traffic red lights when its more than 30 seconds as per Car Manufacturer guidance (in Transport section)
• Drive car at speed of 40-50 kmph as per PCRA to save fuel (in Transport section)
• Rainwater Harvesting systems wherever possible (under water section)
• Reduce unnecessary printing of papers and usage of formats
• Request for e-statement for your mobile bills, electricity bills, etc.
• Pass on used textbooks/books to juniors to avoid printing of a whole new book.
• Wherever possible take lunch/dinner together with your  family and avoid unnecessary usage of microwave oven
• Switch to front load washing machines than top up washing machines, it saves both water and energy.
• Use bright colour paints in home, it reduce the requirement of light.
• Wherever possible, promote community compost for organic waste which will reduce the methane emission
• Wherever possible, use kitchen grey water for gardens since it reduces the fresh water load and also contain manure property.
• Energy bill comes from your washer and your dryer, because these two appliances use quite a bit of energy. A dryer with a moisture sensor will help you to reduce your carbon footprint. Alternatively, dry clothes the old-fashioned way on a line;
• Add double layer glass else double pane windows to reduce energy consumption at both extreme weather conditions i.e. summer and winter;
• Go for local produced and unpackaged goods wherever possible;

Earth Hour action plan for Businesses and Corporates

The link between the environment, sustainability, business, economy and lifestyles is no longer an issue that can be ignored. Businesses today need to work in a sustainable manner to find real solutions to our environmental problems. It is time that businesses become accountable for their actions and responsible in their business practices, while still being profitable.

Here’s how your business can participate in Earth Hour!

Switch Off on 26 March 2012

1. Turn out the lights in your buildings, facilities and signage for one hour at 8:30pm on Saturday, 26 March 2012 and encourage participation at every level in your organization. Communicate Earth Hour to all staff using email, newsletters, posters, intranet, SMS, website, staff associations and committees. Encourage staff, colleagues and their families to commit to ongoing positive actions for the environment both in the workplace and at home.
2. Communicate Earth Hour to your other offices nationally and globally. Encourage organisation-wide participation in Earth Hour as well as a commitment to actions beyond the hour that reduce your organisation's ecological footprint.
3. Communicate Earth Hour to your partners and clients. Share information about what your organization is doing to reduce its environmental impact with partners and clients, and urge them to consider what they can do.
4. Communicate Earth Hour to customers: Encourage them to take part in Earth Hour 2012 at 8.30pm on Saturday 26 March and commit to an ongoing action that benefits the planet.
   • Include a link to the Earth Hour website from your homepage or host an Earth Hour banner on your homepage.
   • Include Earth Hour in any email or SMS bulletins you send to customers.
   • Include Earth Hour messages on bills/statements/catalogues/other printed material you send to customers.
   • Promote your commitment to Earth Hour in stores, branches, foyers, terminals, stadiums, shopping centres by putting up Earth Hour posters.
   • Run joint promotions in the lead-up to Earth Hour.
   • Are there other ways you can spread the Earth Hour message through your facilities, services, products and channel?
5. Communicate Earth Hour to the general public using your advertising, PR and other channels: Support Earth Hour by donating advertising space or by running your own Earth Hour advertising product in the two-week lead-up to 26 March. Modify existing Earth Hour advertising product - print, radio, TV, outdoor and online advertising - to include your brand and specific Earth Hour message. Or create new product. Earth Hour can supply existing artwork for modification and logos.

 Go beyond the hour

Given the wide sphere of influence of business there is a significant opportunity for these organisations to work in a sustainable manner and help drive real solutions to our environmental problems.

Here are some ways businesses can contribute towards reducing their impact on the environment:

1. Begin to understand and map your carbon emissions and energy footprint, you don’t have to do everything in one go – but it is good to know where you are starting from and map out a plan of action.  There is a well used saying: ‘You can’t manage what you don’t measure’ – so look to use that as your starting point for action.
2. Manage down the emissions that are easiest by making small changes in your organisation that will make high impact energy efficiency gains
3. Take broader action to influence suppliers and get involved in making wider changes to your polices and practice that will influence a broad set of stakeholders

Plan and Measure:

• Map your organisation’s energy usage, get an energy audit done
• Map your organisation’s carbon footprint (this includes factors such as waste and travel)
• Everything doesn’t have to be done in one go.  Create a road map of actions and activities for your organisation to take, starting with easier to implement activities, moving to more broader change within your organisation and the way it projects itself to suppliers, vendors and other stakeholders 

Manage:

• Based on the your Carbon Footprint and Energy Audit begin to take action, focusing on doing simple activities first:
  • Switch off lights in the office, reduce paper wastage and encourage double sided printing, avoid use of stand by options for electronic equipment like computers, printers, fax machines and copiers during non business hours.
  • Replace appliances in the office with Star Rated appliances; shift from Desk tops to laptops – which are far more energy efficient.  100 desktops replaced by laptops will reduce your annual CO2 emissions by 20500-27900 kg!
  • Upgrade lighting fixtures by installing CFLs and LEDs and save upto 70% electricity
  • Ensure timely maintenance of buildings to ensure faulty taps and leaks are fixed quickly – a lot of energy is used in cleaning and pumping water to buildings
  • Where possible, encourage staff to take alternative transport measures rather than drive by themselves to work each day. Eg. Establishing a page on your intranet dedicated to carpooling, or encourage flexible work practices
• Many organisations will have initiated change within their offices and can start to look at wider opportunities:
  • Harness the ideas and interest of your staff by developing a network of team members interested in Green Initiatives, you will be surprised at the level of interest and some of the amazing ideas your people come up with.
  • Implement smart building systems to help with energy and lighting management in offices eg. Install lighting occupancy sensors that automatically turn off lights when rooms are unoccupied.
  • Learn about Green Ratings for buildings and consider as an option for any planned office move.  The Green Building Council of India provides a handy definition “A green building is one which uses less water, optimises energy efficiency, conserves natural resources, generates less waste and provides healthier spaces for occupants, as compared to a conventional building." Why not visit their website for more ways to get involved in the Green Building Movement?
  • Build lasting relationships with smaller or related organisations to share your approach to reducing emissions and increasing energy efficiency
• As your organisation increasingly embeds sustainability and climate change practices, there will be an opportunity to be identified as a leader and influence the actions of suppliers and vendors:
  • Map your supply chain CO2 emissions and assess the reduction measures you can implement – taking into account both internal and external practices.  Begin to communicate with suppliers and vendors your vision for more climate friendly services and products and encourage them to take action
  • Think about the products you produce and build in efficiencies that reduce environmental impact in the manufacture and use of the product - this will become increasingly important if you supply to government as they work to establish sustainable procurement guidelines.  Where possible reduce emissions produced through transportation of products by manufacturing locally
  • Join networks to reinforce and build on leadership, such as the Climate Savers Initiative – there are leading companies that have over the past decade, with the help of WWF, reduced emissions by 50 Million tonnes

Earth Hour action plan for Individuals

Earth Hour is a people’s movement and requires the participation and support of individuals to successfully reach and engage a broad audience. Last year alone, 6 million Indians switched off for earth hour across 128 cities. 600,000 students from various institutions and cities volunteered to spread the message. This year too, your participation will continue to show the world that collectively, we care about this issue and stand united in seeking to find solutions to the escalating climate crisis—because the costs of inaction are far too great to ignore.

Participation in Earth hour is easy!

Switch Off on 26 March 2012

1. Show your support by joining us on facebook and switching off at 8:30 PM on 26 March 2012.
2. Promote Earth Hour to friends and family through letters, e-mails, viral videos, blogs and social media platforms to encourage them to join the Earth Hour movement on facebook and switch off their lights during Earth Hour 2012.
3. Students can contribute by promoting Earth Hour within campus and to faculties through letters, e-mails, student publications, newsletters, and campus website to encourage them to join the Earth Hour movement.Use your personal networks to broadcast your participation in Earth Hour and encourage others to get involved. You can also write articles for your school and college magazines, newspapers to maximize outreach.
4. Plan an on-ground event to celebrate Earth Hour: A block party, candlelight dinner, a residents' get-together are just some of the ways you can get your friends and neighbours together to celebrate Earth Hour. Broadcast the details of your event with Facebook's "Create an Event" application. Keeping it an open event will allow invitees and participants to extend the invitation to their social networks as well.

 Go beyond the hour

Our carbon footprint is a sum total of all the CO2 emissions produced as a result of our activities in a given period of time.  India’s per capita footprint is low by comparative standards at around 1.12 metric tonnes, but that is partly due to large disparities in our society and will grow if we do not take action.  

After this earth hour, why not make some simple changes to your day-to-day activities and shift towards a sustainable low carbon lifestyle.  You don’t have to look far for solutions. Simple steps at an individual level go a long way in reducing the impact on the environment and increasing energy efficiency – which includes maintaining the same quality of output of appliances and activity, but with less energy used.  Also, don’t forget, quite often a lower carbon lifestyle can lead to a lower cost lifestyle too.

As a starting point, why not try and calculate your personalcarbon footprint, this will give you the ability to track what sort of impact the changes you make to your lifestyle is having.

Save Energy and Costs:

Some simple changes in habit can reap large rewards in energy savings and emissions reductions:

• Turn appliances off at the wall:  Many appliances are built with standby options – why not turn off each of these items at the wall when not in use.  Up to 10% of energy used in your home can be wasted on appliances that are ‘switched off’, but are using power because they are on standby mode. 
• Turn off lights and fans when you are not in the room: Even if it is for a short period of time make a habit of turning off the fans and lights when you leave a room.  Remember, fans don’t actually cool the air – they just cool you.  
• Change to more energy efficient lighting: Many households have made the shift to Compact Fluorescent lights, which are 4 times more efficient than old style bulbs and can last up to ten times longer.  Although the upfront cost of a CFL can be higher than an incandescent bulb, the difference is paid back over time and will eventually save you money.  Another growing option is the use of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), however, these are at a much earlier stage and costs can be prohibitive for households.   
• Reduce the temperature setting on the geyser: Geysers come with a factory setting of 60 degrees but we only really need water at 40 degrees for a comfortable bath. Change temperature settings and reduce annual CO2 emissions by 172 kg per geyser.
• Manage Air Conditioning in summer:  If you are using air conditioning at home make it a regular temperature rather than over cooling your house.  The general running of an air conditioner is about the equivalent of running 25 ceiling fans for around the same time! Set AC thermostat settings properly: An airconditioner uses 3  to 5 percent less energy for each degree set above 22°C, therefore set AC’s at a temperature as high as is comfortably possible (25 - 26°C) in the summer. (www.bee.nic.in)
• Ensure proper temperature control in washing machines:  Most washing machines (and machine powders) work very well with cold water and it is about 4 times more efficient to run when compared to a hot water wash.  Try it out!

By making conscious and informed purchasing decisions you can reduce costs over the period you own equipment and lower your emissions too.  A preliminary study by Prayas Energy Group in Pune, found that up to 57000 Million Units of Energy, and 50Mt CO2 could be saved by 2013 if there was a shift for key household appliances to be the highest level of energy efficiency.  The avoided energy generation would be about 20, 000MW, or equivalent of building a large new power station each year for five years!        

Use Energy Star rated appliances when possible:  The Bureau of Energy Efficiency has worked with appliance manufacturers to label certain appliances with energy efficiency stars.  Although higher energy star rated products are slightly more expensive than standard products, the difference in price is often paid back in a short amount of time, from which point on you will be making a saving.  The chart below illustrates the star rating, with a fridge as an example.

Table 1: Energy and Cost Saving for 250 liters Frost Free Refrigerator with different Star Ratings

Install a solar hot water heater:  Most geysers are run on electricity, but solar hot water systems are becoming more and more prevalent.  If you are renovating, or building a new house, why not consider including a solar hot water system?  You can reduce emissions by 687kg on every installation.

Transport:

Driving

• The numbers of cars on Indian roads is growing at a very fast pace with a record 184,332 cars sold in India in January 2012.  As the number of cars rises and pollution rises accordingly, there are a number of steps to ensure cars are used more efficiently:
• Car Maintenance:  A well maintained car will save you fuel, as well as reduce pollution.  It pays to get a basic service done every six months and a more complete service once a year.  Always try to make sure your tyres are correctly inflated.  Flat tyres lead to greater fuel use and can be unsafe.
• Speed: The speed at which you drive will greatly alter the amount of fuel consumed.  When coming up to traffic lights, anticipate them early and slow your vehicle, rather than heavy braking.  When driving at lower speeds it is generally more efficient to roll down your window.  At higher speeds it is more efficient to use air conditioning due to increased drag.
• Car Pooling: The roads are choked with cars with one person in them.  Ask around at your office if there are people that live close by and organise an informal carpool.  Ease congestion, lower costs and lower emissions.  Whenever possible, group together journeys, rather than running a number of small errands.

Public Transport  

• Efforts are being made to upgrade public transport infrastructure and quality of buses.  Be an early adopter and help force a change in perceptions towards the use of public transport and reduce your own emissions in the process.  The more public transport is used by all, the more relevant authorities will be forced to take action to increase capacity. 

Cycling and Walking

• Where possible, try to walk or cycle which will give you exercise and get you out of your car.  Currently walking and cycling are considered hazardous activities, but this is also an area where a change in behaviour is required and change will only be effected when large numbers of people start to force a change in attitude from drivers.

Water Usage:

• Nobody needs telling that water is a scarce resource, however you will be surprised at the amount of wastage that can occur from leaks and overflowing overhead storage tanks. 
• A leaky tap dripping at the rate of about one drop per second can waste about25 litres per day!  A substantial amount of energy is used to process and pump water to our homes – wastage can be easily avoided.

In your home you can:

• Check for leaky taps and toilets.  Take action immediately to have these fixed.
• Use the leftover water from washing vegetables to water pot plants
• Ensure your toilets have dual flushing options
• Turn off the tap when brushing teeth, and install smaller/more efficient shower heads to reduce wastage.  Also try to take shorter showers and educate children on the need to be quicker – perhaps even look to install a timer.  A five-minute shower with a standard showerhead uses 100 L of water whereas a low-flow showerhead uses just 35 L of water
• Make sure the local Residents Welfare Association is made aware of faulty water pipes

Waste:

Greater consumption levels and increased packaging of goods is leading to mountains of waste.  The first step to reducing waste is to have a think about what waste really is.  This will help you with the popular actions of Reduce – Reuse – Recycle.

• Reduce – try to reduce the amount of packaging by refusing individual plastic bags for vegetables, and buying in bulk when possible.  Also keep organic waste separate from non-organic and try to find alternative uses eg. composting.  There is a lot of organic waste that ends up in landfills (it is estimated that the waste split in Indian Households is 60% organic, 20% recyclable and 20% inert in nature) – this waste rots and produces a lot of CO2 emissions.
• Reuse – Plastics are a hassle, but the impact can be reduced if pastic containers are used more than once, extending the lifetime and usefulness of the product.  When you have finished with products such as computers and TVs find out if there are organisations that would be happy to take older model appliances.
• Recycle – Although informal systems operate, try to avoid landfill excess by recycling what you can.