In a collective bid to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, our digital campaign focuses on rallying the local community on ways to reduce carbon footprint. This year, 375 establishments across businesses, hotels, malls, and attractions are participating in the lights-out (double of that in Earth Hour 2020).
The term Kosong, which means zero in Malay, is a colloquial word used to describe our local favourite beverage like Kopi O Kosong (meaning black coffee without sugar). Inspired by the concept of living with less, WWF-Singapore’s Kosong Plan is an initiative that aims to help individuals, communities and organisations commit to reducing their carbon footprint to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Back in 2016, Singapore is among the countries committed to the Paris Agreement, a global climate agreement that aims to stabilise climate change. The Paris Agreement requires each country to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Then, we promised to reduce our emissions in a measurable way, with clear, time-bound targets.
However, Singapore has only committed to peak our carbon emissions by 2030. We are not going to achieve what was agreed in the Paris Agreement if we don’t take action now.
Here are five things you can look forward to as we countdown to our annual Earth Hour lights out event this Saturday, 8.30pm:
Create your own Kosong Plan in less than five minutes
As part of Singapore Budget 2021, Minister Heng Swee Keat has outlined the country’s plan to scale up on sustainable development with the Singapore Green Plan 2030. The Kosong Plan aims to bring together individuals and businesses in support of net-zero emissions in Singapore by 2050 with key climate actions.
This will serve as a lever to show individuals, businesses and schools working together on building a low-carbon and climate-resilient Singapore – also in support of the Singapore government to work towards net-zero emissions by 2050 as well.
Here, simple few steps to create your own Kosong Plan:
- Go to earthhour.sg
- Fill up your personal details to make sure you won’t miss the latest updates on your Kosong Plan
- Select and check off specific climate actions that you’d like to commit and/ or be involved in e.g volunteering with us
- Share your Kosong Plan with friends and loved ones and countdown to our Earth Hour lights out on 27 March at 8.30pm on Facebook and/ or TikTok and be part of the movement as we call for stronger climate action
Watch a local filmmaker’s journey of discovering what sustainability means
There is no perfect definition of sustainability, just as there should be no guilt about how much we can commit to living more sustainably. As Journey to Zero Waste Life in Singapore’s Robin Rheaume explained, sustainability is a journey. As a content collaboration with video entertainment platform Viddsee to produce a three-part video series that explores the Kosong Plan, we followed local filmmaker and host Elaine Chong as she meets different personalities including guest appearance MP Louis Ng, our climate expert Sandeep Chamling Rai and an 11-year-old ant keeper Joshua Goh (whom our video editor bumped into during one of her basketball games) on ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Watch the full video series here.
Join our TikTok Earth Hour challenge and countdown with us!
If you are on TikTok, we would also like to invite you to join us to do the Earth Hour challenge by rallying your family and friends, pass on your coffee cups and tag us at @wwfsg. From 25 to 27 March, make sure to include the #EarthHour2021 hashtag on your challenge to ensure it will appear on the Discover page too!
Indulge in a special plant-based menu at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
In support of Earth Hour 2021, Jade at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore is offering a five-course plant-based menu (S$68++ per pax) featuring fresh herbs and fresh produce grown at the hotel establishment’s own Fullerton Farm. The menu, curated by Chinese Executive Chef Leong Chee Yeng, includes a vegetarian peking duck with farm salad, winter melon broth and wok-fried fragrant rice. Members of Sky Premium (a supporting partner of Earth Hour 2021) will be able to enjoy 15% off the plant-based menu too. Only available till 31st March 2021.
If you like reading this, meet the OG of environmental education in Singapore, the man who spearheads sustainability in Marina Bay Sands, and Informa’s Barry Clarke on running a sustainable business.
