Standard Chartered Bank supports WWF'S Earth Hour across the Middle East
Over 4,000 staff to combat climate changeMonday 23 March 2009, United Arab Emirates – Standard Chartered Bank will join people, businesses and iconic buildings in the Middle East on Saturday 28 March 2009 at 8.30pm, for the second year in a row when they switch off their lights for one hour - WWF’s Earth Hour, showing support for a global mandate on climate change.
Over 4,000 staff members across Standard Chartered UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Egypt and Jordan will together participate by switching off computers before leaving their desks on the Thursday before Earth Hour, aiming to make a powerful statement about energy consumption in the region - the greatest contributor to climate change. Standard Chartered UAE is the first bank to sign up and switch off all branch signage, office lights and appliances in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain and Sharjah, and in the region.
Shayne Nelson, Standard Chartered Bank Regional CEO, Middle East and North Africa said, “With the backdrop of global economic challenges, it is easy to put climate change on the back burner. At Standard Chartered, we believe that with over 35 branches and offices in the Middle East, we can make a credible difference to the environment. We encourage our staff to lead by example by symbolically switching off and unplug all non-essential equipment and lights in the office and at home for Earth Hour, and to incorporate these simple actions into their lifestyle as a sustainable approach to tackling climate change.”
“In our capacity as advisors, lenders, investors and insurers we recognise the instrumental role that financial institutions play in catalysing the shift to a low carbon economy. In January 2009, we led discussions on pertinent topics concerning climate change and renewable energy at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. Today, through this initiative, we are reaffirming our commitment to climate change ahead of the Climate Summit in Copenhagen. The Bank is proud to support the EWS-WWF - led initiative in the UAE and commend the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Dubai Municipality’s endorsement of the event. We encourage all organisations in the UAE and the region to join us in the campaign and help raise awareness about global warming.”
Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing the planet, and demands urgent global action. Unless action is taken to prevent average global temperatures rising more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels, there is a high risk of severe and irreversible changes in the planet’s natural systems, which will be devastating for people, economies and nature.
A billion people are expected to sign up to Earth hour in 2009, and this year’s event is a lead up to the UN climate summit in Copenhagen in December 2009. Standard Chartered is supporting WWF’s movement to convince governments across the world to agree to take effective action to tackle climate change when they meet at the summit.
Standard Chartered is committed to building a sustainable business in the Middle East that continues to be high performing and views all actions in terms of their environmental impact, and economic and social contribution. The Bank’s environmental commitment is underpinned by its pledge at the Clinton Global Initiative to finance USD8-10bn of renewable and clean energy projects by 2012.
To find out more about Earth Hour and sign up please visit www.earthhour.org.
To read Standard Chartered Bank’s Sustainability Review, visit: www.standardchartered.com/sustainability/en/index.html
For further information please contact:
Patricia Bentham
Corporate Affairs, Standard Chartered Bank
Tel: +971 (0) 4508 2772
Email: patricia.bentham@standardchartered.com
Note to Editors:
Standard Chartered – leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East
Standard Chartered PLC, listed on both London and Hong Kong stock exchanges, ranks among the top 25 companies in the FTSE-100 by market capitalisation. The London-headquartered Group has operated for over 150 years in some of the world’s most dynamic markets, leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Its income and profits have more than doubled over the last five years primarily as a result of organic growth and supplemented by acquisitions.
Standard Chartered aspires to be the best international bank for its customers across its markets. The Bank derives more than 90 per cent of its operating income and profits from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, generated from its Wholesale and Consumer Banking businesses. The Group has around 1,750 branches and outlets located in over 70 countries. The extraordinary growth of its markets and businesses creates exciting and challenging international career opportunities.
Leading by example to be the right partner for its stakeholders, the Group is committed to building a sustainable business over the long term and is trusted worldwide for upholding high standards of corporate governance, social responsibility, environmental protection and employee diversity. It employs 75,000 people, nearly half of whom are women. The Group’s employees are of 115 nationalities, of which 60 are represented among senior management.
For more information, please visit: www.standardchartered.com