7 February 2014
Cape Town has been named South Africa’s Earth Hour Capital in recognition of the city’s actions to address climate change, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) announced on Tuesday.
The title is awarded as part of the global Earth Hour City Challenge, a collaborative effort between WWF and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives which aims to highlight and reward cities that are prepared to make substantial long-term efforts to combat climate change.
“We are exceptionally proud of Cape Town’s contribution to building a sustainable future that both protects the environment and improves the lives of citizens of South Africa,” WWF South Africa CEO Morne du Plessis said in a statement.
Cape Town is one of 33 finalists competing for this year’s Global Earth Hour City title, from a total of 163 entrants, six of them South African.
Once national Earth Hour Capitals have been chosen for each of the 14 participating countries, an expert jury will scrutinise the information supplied by finalist cities to identify the overall Earth Hour Capital.
The grand title will be awarded at the Earth Hour City Challenge Conference and Awards Ceremony in Vancouver, Canada in March.
Citizens of participating countries still have an opportunity to express their support for their favourite cities among the finalists through WWF’s “We Love Cities” social media campaign, which will run until 20 March.
SAinfo reporter and World Wildlife Fund South Africa