WWF: Earth Hour 2026 returns — March 28 marks the Hour of the Earth

WWF: Earth Hour 2026 returns — March 28 marks the Hour of the Earth

When: Saturday 28 March 2026, starting at 20:30 for one hour. For its 20th edition, Earth Hour calls on citizens, institutions and businesses to turn off lights as a symbolic act to highlight the climate and nature emergency.

Launched by WWF and born in Sydney in 2007, the initiative once again engages Italian cities and landmarks in a nationwide mobilization.

• Rome: Colosseum and Trevi Fountain (national focal event)
• Florence: Palazzo Vecchio, Torre Arnolfo and parts of Ponte Vecchio; the David on Piazzale Michelangelo
• Milan: Torre del Filarete at Castello Sforzesco
• Venice: St. Mark’s Square
• Naples: Maschio Angioino and selected churches (with participation from the Archdiocese)
• Pescara: Torre Civica
• Lecce: Porta San Biagio

Earth Hour is a symbolic gesture intended to prompt reflection and concrete action: beyond switching off lights, WWF encourages dedicating the hour to local initiatives, volunteer activities, community events or educational moments focused on sustainability.

The broader climate context remains worrying: 2025 was among the warmest years on record and international studies stress the need for emission reductions to limit global warming. WWF Italy, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, reiterates calls for coordinated climate action and invites people to sign the “Zero scuse sul clima” petition.

Among the proposals put forward is a request for local authorities to ban fossil fuel advertising in public spaces and a call for comprehensive national climate legislation. The event has received institutional patronage and was awarded the Medal of the President of the Republic.

Participation is easy: turn off the lights for 60 minutes and use that time to learn, get involved and start small daily changes that benefit the environment.