Five bridges leading into the City of London will go dark for an hour for the first time – to mark an international event highlighting climate action.
Tower, London, Southwark, Millennium and Blackfriars bridges will turn off all non-essential, decorative lighting between 8.30 and 9.30pm for Earth Hour this Saturday, March 22.
City Bridge Foundation, the 900-year-old charity which looks after the bridges at no cost to the taxpayer, will join organisations around the world in supporting the initiative organised by the environmental charity WWF.
Meanwhile, the foundation’s trustee, the City of London Corporation, will also turn off lights across some of its most famous buildings, including its own Guildhall headquarters, the Mansion House, home of the Lord Mayor of London, and Central Criminal Court – better known as the Old Bailey.
The initiative aligns with the City Corporation’s ambitious Climate Action Strategy, which the foundation has signed up to, and commits both organisations to achieving net zero carbon emissions in their own operations by 2027 and full value chain by 2040 – a decade ahead of national targets.
Simon Latham, City Bridge Foundation acting managing director, said: “As the custodian of five of London’s most recognisable bridges, Earth Hour offers us the chance to make a very clear and very visible demonstration of our commitment to climate action.
“We’re passionate about doing our part to tackle this issue through all areas of our work, including our bridge maintenance, our investments and our funding for charities across the capital.
“Climate action is the one issue above all which requires a co-ordinated response, so we’re delighted to be joining City Corporation colleagues to raise awareness of this issue by turning off the lights at some of the Square Mile’s most famous landmarks.”
