Darkness will descend over parts of Bahrain tomorrow (March 29) as businesses and landmarks take part in a global initiative to conserve energy and raise climate change awareness.

Earth Hour, spearheaded by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), encourages people to turn off non-essential lights for one hour between 8.30pm and 9.30pm as a symbol of their commitment to the planet.

At the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa, a special event presided over by Capital Governor Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa will see the building's iconic facade fade to black alongside other designated areas of the hotel.

The evening programme starts at 5pm with family activities, food and live music on the croquet lawn before guests are led by torch and candle to a yoga session.

Some of the money collected during the evening will be donated to Bahrain-based Environment Friends Society to support nature conservation programmes.

Elsewhere, the Kempinski Grand and Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre will observe Earth Hour by hosting a candelight dinner at its Saveur restaurant - and is planning to go even further by having a one-hour "switch-off" event every month.

"We will be switching off all non-essential lights and other electrical equipment in the public areas for one hour every last Saturday of the month," said hotel general manager Puneet Singh.

"We estimate to save 893.5 kilowatts of power per hour by doing this and we would like to invite the public of Bahrain to join us in what promises to be an amazing and inspiring global celebration of our collective commitment to the planet."

The Bahrain City Centre will also be plunged into darkness, from the outside at least, as all external signage and landscaping lights are switched off.

Interior mall lights will be dimmed for an hour, but all car park lights will remain on for customer safety.

"Through our actions we hope to send a positive message to others in the community that together, through simple actions, we can help fight climate change," said senior mall manager Duaij Khalifa Al Rumaihi.

The Coca-Cola Bottling Company Bahrain will also take part and is encouraging its associates to think of creative ways to participate - such as talking instead of texting.

"The issues facing the world are more serious, complex and urgent than ever before," said company managing director Mohammed Akeel.

"So for us, sustainability is about the actions we take to support the quality of life now and for future generations." The Crowne Plaza Bahrain is also marking the occasion with its own event at 6pm.-TradeArabia News Service