Restaurants to turn out the lights for Earth Hour

At 8.30pm on 25 March millions of people around the globe will turn off their lights for the world’s biggest environmental event.

UK landmarks such as Big Ben, the London Eye and the Palace of Holyrood have already signed up to take part.

The OXO Tower, the Red Carnation Hotel Group, and the Gladwin brother’s three London restaurants The Shed, Rabbit and Nutbourne are among those switching off.

Ahead of the event the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) has teamed up with the WWF to encourage restaurants to cut their energy use.

According to a report by E.ON, UK restaurants are responsible for eight million tonnes of carbon emissions - more than the whole of Costa Rica.

The SRA claims that a 20% cut in energy costs can offer the same boost to a restaurant’s bottom line as a 5% increase in sales.

“As a whole, the hospitality and foodservice sector uses energy like there is no tomorrow,” says SRA chief executive Andrew Stephen.

“Even those with the best intentions often don’t know how to change their wasteful behaviour. Earth Hour will provide restaurants with the perfect opportunity to extend the conversation to their customers, and demonstrate that a good restaurant doesn’t waste natural resources.”

Restaurants can get involved with the SRA’s Value Natural Resources campaign at www.foodmadegood.org/energy​​ or by using #EnergySmart on social media.