Every year, millions of people in more than 180 countries join Earth Hour, a global movement that encourages everyone to switch off non‑essential lights for one hour as a symbolic act of unity and environmental awareness.

For example, electricity consumption in Hong Kong dropped by more than 4% during Earth Hour in 2015. This was equivalent to reducing approximately 138 tonnes of carbon emissions, a quantity that would take 5,991 trees an entire year to absorb.

For us, Earth Hour this year became more than a global statistic. It became a personal experience that reflected what it means to live and work with purpose at Schneider Electric.

In 2026, Earth Hour took place on Saturday, March 28th at 8:30 PM local time, marking the 20th anniversary of this impactful initiative.

Earth Hour in Hong Kong

This year, four of us from Schneider Electric Serbia had a unique opportunity to contribute to the event far from home – during our business trip to Hong Kong. Our team: Nikola Vidović, Miloš Minić, Rade Papić (ADMS), and Sandra Kozomara (GIS) – was performing SIT2 testing for our customer CLP, a user of Schneider Electric’s ADMS and ArcFM XI software.

• ADMS (Advanced Distribution Management System) helps operators monitor, analyze, control, and optimize the electric distribution network in real time.
• ArcFM XI supports the creation and maintenance of high‑quality GIS network data that ADMS relies on, making it an essential GIS foundation for ADMS operations.

Being on site gave us valuable hands-on experience and direct exposure to how these technologies support real world energy systems. Opportunities like this are an important part of how we continue to learn, grow, and build our careers at Schneider Electric.

Project Success and Cultural Connection

From a business perspective, we had a very successful and exciting week working with CLP and Accenture to stay on track and deliver the project on time. Many test cases were completed, and strong collaboration with our partners was established.

Working closely with international teams and customers is a core part of life at Schneider Electric. It allows us to build not only technical expertise, but also a broader global perspective.

But beyond work, our CLP colleagues were exceptional hosts. They welcomed us warmly and proudly shared their culture. Thanks to Fiona, Stanley, Bill, Ricky, Sandy, King, and Joe, we had the chance to experience traditional Chinese cuisine – from goose leg to seaweed specialties, pork intestine, and many other flavors that are rare for us back home.

These moments helped us connect on a personal level, showing how collaboration and cultural exchange go hand in hand in building strong global teams.

It was an unforgettable, authentic Hong Kong experience that brought our teams even closer.

An Hour with Low Lights Above Hong Kong

On March 28th, during Earth Hour, we decided to make our own small contribution. Instead of spending the hour alone in our hotel rooms, we agreed to meet on the hotel terrace overlooking the Hong Kong skyline – lights off and phones away.

What followed was a precious, technology‑free moment: no deadlines, tickets, meetings, or action logs. We talked, laughed, and reflected. For that one hour, the city around us felt calmer. For us, it served as a reminder of how important it is to pause amid the intensity of project life.

It also reminded us that behind every project and every deadline, there is a shared purpose that connects us to something bigger than ourselves.

A Special Guest From Schneider Hong Kong

To our delight, our colleague Alex Tong from Schneider Hong Kong joined us.
We work together on the CLP projects but rarely get the chance to meet in person. Sharing Earth Hour with him made the experience even more meaningful and strengthened our collaboration.

Moments like this highlight the value of global connection at Schneider Electric, where partnerships extend beyond day-to-day work and create lasting relationships.

We Gave One Hour to Earth – Schneider Gives Long‑Term Commitment

Earth Hour in Hong Kong reminded us that sustainability at Schneider Electric isn’t just something we talk about-it’s something we practice, both in our work and in our daily lives. We support CLP in building a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable energy future. Every configuration, workshop, and design decision contributes to lowering emissions and enabling a greener grid for millions.

But our commitment doesn’t end when our laptops close. By joining Earth Hour together, far from home, overlooking a dimmed Hong Kong skyline, we showed that caring for the planet is a value we live personally, not just professionally.

That one low‑light hour was a simple gesture, yet it reflected the same purpose that drives our work: protecting the Earth while delivering for our customers.

For us, this is what makes working at Schneider Electric meaningful. We are able to contribute to sustainability not only through our roles, but also through shared experiences that reinforce our purpose.

Beyond Projects, Beyond Borders – Join Us for Earth Hour Worldwide

Inspired by this year’s experience, we’ve already agreed that we will continue this tradition next year, no matter where in the world our projects take us. Whether we’re in Hong Kong, Belgrade, or on the opposite side of the globe, we will give that one hour back to the Earth again.

We also invite our colleagues across Schneider Electric to share their own Earth Hour moments: where they spent it, whether they switched their lights off, and what that hour meant to them.

And of course, we warmly encourage everyone to join the initiative next year so that together, we can grow this simple act into an even stronger collective reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the planet.

If you are looking for a career where you can work across borders, collaborate with diverse teams, and contribute to a more sustainable future, Schneider Electric offers the opportunity to do just that.

Join us and be part of a global team creating impact every day.