At 8:30pm, on Saturday 23 March, the Volvo Group will be shrouded in darkness for one hour in support of Earth Hour. Earth Hour is a global initiative by WWF to turn off the lights as a statement of concern over climate change and we encourage all companies within the Group to support this.

The action is simple. Turn off the lights for one hour. Last year, more than one billion people around the world took part in Earth Hour and the Volvo Group does its utmost to support the initiative. Hopefully, employees are inspired to involve themselves in Earth Hour privately too.

"We sympathize with WWF's initiative, which we see as a powerful symbolic action. It is also in line with our existing environmental work. We ask all employees to turn of lamps, computers and other unnecessary lighting when you leave your workplace on Friday. Just as usual really and if you want to, it's great if you turn off your lights at home for an hour as well," says Jan-Eric Sundgren, Executive Vice President, Corporate Public & Environmental Affairs.

"The Volvo Group is a member of the WWF Climate Savers programme and we have made a commitment to reduce CO2 emissions, both from our products and from our production. Volvo CE and Volvo Buses have also been accepted as members in Climate Savers and the results from our efforts so far, show that we are in a strong position to not only meet, but to exceed our targets," continues Jan-Eric Sundgren.

Volvo CE has participated in Earth Hour for several years. The company made a sterling effort last year, as the VCE became a member of Climate Savers in 2012.

"We encourage our sites around the world to take part in Earth Hour but it's entirely up to them if they join the initiative or not. The sites in Asia in general and the sites in Changwon and Shanghai in particular have demonstrated a strong commitment to Earth Hour during the last years", says Niklas Nillroth, Global Director Environmental Care & Safety at VCE.

It is important to point out that all activities linked to Earth Hour should be carried out in close collaboration with Group Real Estate (GRE). This goes for all units within the Volvo Group. GRE is responsible for all practical arrangements when a site, or part of a site, is to be "switched off" during Earth Hour.

The Volvo Group initiative of Commute Greener does also support Earth Hour. A specific challenge have been set to motivate people to take more sustainable ways to and from work. Points are earned when making improvements and results can be followed on Facebook, web and mobile.

You will also find more information here http://www.earthhour.org/

For more information contact: Annie Vonck, tel. +32 2 4825385, e-mail annie.vonck@volvo.com