UEFA to back WWF Earth Hour on Mar 31

PanARMENIAN.Net - UEFA will give its backing to social responsibility partner WWF – the global conservation organisation – by taking part in the WWF's Earth Hour on Saturday March 31 to highlight the issue of climate change and protecting the environment we live in.

European football's governing body is joining in the campaign being organised by the WWF network across the globe. Consequently, the lights in UEFA's headquarters – the House of European Football in Nyon, on the banks of Lake Geneva in Switzerland – will be switched off for one hour from 20.30CET on Saturday.

Last year 135 countries participated in the Earth Hour switch-off, and a number of new countries have signed up for the current initiative. UEFA calls on the European football community to support the campaign to protect the planet.

"Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution. I'm glad UEFA is part of the 2012 Earth Hour," said UEFA Executive Committee member and chairman of the UEFA Fair Play and Social Responsibility Committee, Peter Gilliйron. "We encourage the whole football family – associations, leagues, clubs and fans – to adopt urgently needed sustainability practices and join the world's largest voluntary action for the environment through the 'I Will If You Will' initiative," UEFA official website quoted him as saying.