MANILA – Jollibee is again taking part in Earth Hour this year, with all of its branches and brands all over the world set to switch off their lights for 60 minutes in a symbolic call for energy conservation for the sake of the environment. 

Jollibee Foods Corporation said its over 4,300 stores across 16 markets will turn off their lights on March 22, at 8:30 p.m. local time. 

"This initiative is part of the Jollibee Group’s broader commitment to sustainability and responsible stewardship of the planet," the company said.

Jollibee said its flagship brand as well as The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Tim Ho Wan, Smashburger, Chowking, Highlands Coffee Vietnam, Mang Inasal, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, and the Jollibee Group’s foreign franchised brands in the Philippines (Burger King, Panda Express, Yoshinoya, Common Man Coffee Roasters, and Tiong Bahru Bakery) will participate in Earth Hour across the company’s global network.

Earth Hour, an annual movement organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), calls on individuals, businesses, and communities worldwide to "Give an Hour for Earth" by turning off non-essential lights for one hour as a symbolic act of environmental solidarity, the company noted.

 "Protecting the planet is a shared responsibility, and Earth Hour reminds us that even the smallest actions can make a significant impact when done together," said Pepot Miñana, Global Chief Sustainability Officer of Jollibee Group. 

Aside from taking part in Earth Hour, the Jollibee Group said it also uses renewable energy across its four main manufacturing sites in the Philippines.