HSBC Malta joined more than 200 global sites of the bank and marked the annual WWF Earth Hour, whereby all non-essential lights at the Qormi operations centre and the Swatar UK Contact Centre were switched off for one hour.

Since 2009, HSBC has been a high-profile supporter of Earth Hour. During last year’s Earth Hour, 600 employees and their families took part in the Dubai Earth Hour Walk, while in Mexico staff members lit up the WWF Earth Hour logo by pedalling stationary bikes to generate power.

HSBC Malta also sponsored an information stand of the Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change, which joined other countries around the globe to switch off non-essential lights for 60 minutes and hold special events.

The stand, manned by Nature Trust, was stationed in Republic Street, Valletta for three days and later moved to Castille Square on Earth Hour day. Nature Trust volunteers distributed flyers and sold candles, the proceeds from which will be directed to the Rainbow Ward, the cancer unit for children at Mater Dei Hospital.

HSBC Malta CEO Andrew Beane said: “HSBC is a leader in providing sustainable financing to help build a low-carbon future. Private finance is essential to achieving the goals set out in the universal climate change agreement signed in Paris last year.”