Four Seasons Hotel Madrid Switches Off Its Lights to Give an Hour to the Earth

On March 23, 2024, Four Seasons Hotel Madrid will take part in the Earth Hour initiative organised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). As part of this commitment to protecting the environment, the Hotel will switch off the lights on the building façade for one hour (from 8:30 to 9:30 pm) alongside millions of other people and organisations around the world for this global event.

Led by the World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour is an annual event that seeks to raise awareness about the environmental challenges being faced by our planet, including climate change and biodiversity loss. More than just a symbolic gesture, it is an opportunity to inspire specific actions and promote a more sustainable future for future generations.

As a historical benchmark in the heart of Madrid, Four Seasons Hotel Madrid is reaffirming its commitment to the environment via its Four Seasons for Good program, which encompasses various environmental and social initiatives. Ranging from the implementation of corporate sustainability practices to eco-friendly practices, the company is demonstrating its commitment to looking after the planet and boosting wellbeing.

Every action adopted by Four Seasons forms part of its solid ESG program (Environmental, Social and Governance), in which respect for the natural environment is a priority. The seven buildings that make up the Centro Canalejas Madrid, which include the hotel and Galería Canalejas, have gold LEED-NC certification from the US Green Building Council, a form of international recognition for sustainable buildings that highlights environmental design and energy efficiency criteria in the building. Support is also provided for electric mobility through the presence of electric charging points in both the Hotel and residential car park and the Centro Canalejas Car Park. As part of that important environmental commitment, all the energy consumed at Centro Canalejas Madrid is renewable. Other aspects, such as water consumption, the presence of green roofs and optimisation in all sorts of waste management procedures, are tackled with LEED certification guidelines in mind.

Besides implementing tangible environmental measures, the Hotel company wants to have a positive and lasting impact in the communities where it does business. Under a social responsibility program, the company supports local business by buying products for both its restaurants and use in cleaning, the spa or guest rooms through procurement processes that avoid unnecessary packaging and with responsible control of the supplier chain. Furthermore, it promotes wellbeing for its employees and collaborates with charity organisations to foster sustainable conservation and development.

Based on a long-term outlook, Four Seasons Hotel Madrid continues to innovate and improve its practices by finding new ways to reduce its ecological footprint and to encourage more responsible tourism - not only through involvement in such events as Earth Hour, but also through such internal practices as HVAC scheduling management, lighting control and suitable air renewal with energy recovery.

About Earth Hour

Earth Hour, a global initiative led by the WWF, is much more than merely switching lights off for an hour. It is a collective action to raise awareness about climate change and the importance of environmental conservation. By taking part in this annual event, you join a symbolic gesture that represents a shared commitment to protecting the planet for future generations.

Under the slogan of “Switch off. Give an hour for Earth,” this idea involves people, companies and media groups in a worldwide simultaneous electricity blackout and proposes an hour’s bank for engaging in activities to look after the planet.

Given that 2023 was the hottest year in history and the one with the most environmental catastrophes leading to such extreme weather events as floods, heat waves and devastating fires, there are more reasons than ever to join in this event at such a critical time for the planet.

Since this initiative was launched in 2007, the idea is that - although 60 minutes may seem insignificant - if millions of people around the world join forces, that hour becomes thousands of hours of action for the planet and inspires people to take action to conserve the planet on which we live and to be grateful for everything it provides to preserve our existence.

To that end, the WWF has created a global Hours Bank on its website in which dozens of countries around the world take part by offering a variety of inspiring and sustainable ideas and activities that range from food- and exercise related options to artistic ideas.