Sheraton Dubai mall of the emirates supports earth hour

Towns and cities around the world come together in the largest environmental movement to protect one thing that unites us all - planet Earth

DUBAI - March 21, 2012

Every year at the end of March, individuals, governments, businesses, hotels and restaurants switch non-essential lights off for 60 minutes to mark Earth Hour, organized by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) - it a global event which aims to raise awareness of climate change and environmental concerns. It may only be symbolic, but watching the Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel, DIFC, Marina or Downtown Dubai plunge into darkness sends a powerful message. It is a voluntary action by participants to show their commitment to an act of change that benefits the planet.

As global climate change continues to be one of the greatest challenges for modern day society, the seventh annual Earth Hour will take place on 23 March, 8.30pm to 9.30pm. This is the fifth year in which Starwood have participated in Earth Hour, and last year's incredibly successful event, included participation of nearly 600 Starwood hotels globally. The Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates will mark this Earth Hour with lights-off, refreshments on the 24^th floor for in-house guests, with candles laid out in the shape of the figure 60. Its fifth floor restaurant, Sanabel, with panoramic views will be offering guests and non-guests an ecological dinner, with ethically sourced fair-trade produce, by candlelight. Enjoy market fresh mezze, pan fried snapper with green asparagus and tomato salsa, and indulge in something from the infinite desert selection. In order to reduce carbon emissions, guests will be made aware that the metro is attached to the mall, and only a short walk away, and that they can take advantage of the twice daily bus to Jumeirah Beach.

Half the world's population now lives in cities, where more than 70% of the world's CO2 emissions are generated. The less water, energy and resources used, the more there is to go around. By declining housekeeping services and by conserving energy for a night, a Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates guest can save (all amounts based on average guestroom size and materials usage):

· Water - 37.2 Gallons is 596 cups, enough for 1 person to drink almost 2 cups per day for a year

· Electricity - 0.19 KWH, that is enough to run an laptop for 10 hours, and depending on the temperature outside, air-conditioning in Dubai is a big drain on energy

· Chemicals - almost 200 ml, fewer chemicals equals less toxicity in the environment/

The Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates green initiatives have included replacing all lamps and lights with more energy-saving substitutes, with efficient timer controls; installed variable frequency in the AC system; water savers in rooms and kitchen; water recycling plant, waste segregation and recycling and safe disposal of hazardous waste.

What can you do to help save the planet?

• Reduce the use of the water in the room

• Reduce the use of the lights

• Remove the chargers from the plugs when not using them

• Reuse

• Recycle

For further media information contact:
Laura Westmacott | Heba Selim
Tel: +971 4382 8900
Email: laura@tohpr.com | heba@tohpr.com