PH logs 1.3 million hours for global 'Earth Hour Bank'

The Philippines set a new record in the global Earth Hour Bank, contributing an unprecedented 1.3 million hours of positive action for the planet.

The milestone, achieved during WWF-Philippines' Earth Hour celebration, underscores the growing environmental awareness and calls for stronger climate action among Filipinos.

According to Earth Hour Philippines national director Atty. Angela Consuelo Ibay, the overwhelming participation showcased the Filipino people's desire for a healthier, more sustainable environment. 

"Filipinos want breathable air, cooler weather, clean water, healthy forests and ecosystems, and more renewable energy. This is the strong message they sent when they joined the global switch-off of Earth Hour. It is a clear sign that leaders and officials should do more for the environment and our planet," said Ibay, who also heads WWF-Philippines' Climate and Energy Programme.

Data collected through the EarthHour.org website, where individuals self-reported their hours of participation, placed the Philippines at the top of the global rankings with 1,377,368 hours. China followed with 783,674 hours, while India logged 359,652 hours.

In total, Earth Hour 2025 recorded 2,925,040 hours from 118 countries and territories, emphasizing a worldwide commitment to environmental and climate action.

The Earth Hour Bank allows individuals to log time spent engaging in eco-friendly activities such as coastal cleanups, zero-waste cooking, tree planting, watching nature documentaries, environmental education, and even acoustic music sessions to reduce energy consumption.

The massive participation from the Philippines marks an over 1000% increase from the 116,273 hours recorded in 2024, signifying a dramatic surge in climate awareness and engagement.

Government agencies, local governments, and corporations played a crucial role in supporting Earth Hour 2025. A total of 28 partners, including national government offices, participated by organizing switch-off activities in various localities and establishments.

The Department of Energy (DOE) reported a significant increase in energy savings during this year’s Earth Hour. The 1-hour lights-off from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM led to a grid load drop of 161.98 megawatts (MW), surpassing the 132.11 MW reduction recorded in 2024.

Since its inception in 2007, Earth Hour has evolved from a symbolic lights-off movement into a larger global initiative advocating societal, cultural, and political changes to combat climate change.

"Our country has been consistently the top-ranked nation in the world in terms of disaster risk. It is about time that Filipinos demand concrete actions, not just promises, from leaders to put measures in place that will protect people from the adverse effects of climate change," Ibay said..

This year’s Earth Hour was celebrated under the theme "Switch Off and Secure Water for All," highlighting the critical issue of water security and its connection to climate change. WWF-Philippines spearheaded activities across various cities, amplifying awareness and participation to drive meaningful action towards environmental sustainability.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News