Each year on the last Saturday of March at precisely 8:30pm, 190 nations and territories take action to raise awareness of the issues facing Earth, our common home. Monaco is participating this year by turning out the lights on some of the Principality’s most iconic locales.

For one full hour on Saturday 26^th March, Earth Hour, led by the World Wildlife Foundation, asks people and communities to do one simple task: turn out the lights. The symbolic act is meant to bring the climate crisis to the forefront and show a commitment to change that started back in 2007 and has now grown to a worldwide event.

In Monaco, a joint effort between the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer Group (SBM), the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, and local law enforcement will see the lights go out at 14 locations around the Principality.

People can expect to see total darkness envelope Casino de Monte-Carlo, Casino Café de Paris, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, Monte-Carlo Beach, Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo, Café de Paris, My Monte-Carlo, Aigue Marine, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, Company of the Prince’s Carabinieri, Directorate of Public Security, and Corps of Firefighters of Monaco.

In its efforts to obtain Green Globe certification, the Monte-Carlo Casino is working with a “Green Team” for a competition that will light up the facade of the Casino de Monte-Carlo thanks solely to human power.

Ten teams from SBM and five from Monegasque entities will take turns pedalling on six bikes to fill an “energy dial” that will project a different pattern onto the Monte-Carlo Casino. In taking a serious issue and making it a fun experience, organisers hope that it will cement the cause in people’s minds and help them commit to stopping the climate crisis more than once a year.

The government, alongside SBM, follows environmental protection guidelines stringently. SBM has set itself substantial objectives in terms of eco-responsibility and continues to obtain certifications for all its establishments, including the Green Globe, Mr. Goodfish and Ecocert. The Earth Hour on the Place du Casino Monte-Carlo is part of this philosophy.

So don’t miss out on the event and the fun. Meet at 8:30pm sharp on the Place du Casino to kick off Earth Hour 2022.

Photo of the Hôtel de Paris, source Monte-Carlo SBM