ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Coca-Cola Company announced today that many of its iconic signs will go dark in support of Earth Hour on Saturday, March 28. The Company also is participating in local awareness-raising events in more than 50 countries to support what is expected to be the largest ever, global climate event.

“We are pleased to join thousands of communities, organizations and individuals in raising awareness about actions we all can take to slow, stop and eventually reverse the effects of climate change,” said Muhtar Kent, president and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. “Earth Hour is a great way to demonstrate that small, simple steps like turning out lights, when taken by people around the world, can drive real momentum in fighting a universal issue like climate change.”

Iconic Coca-Cola signs are scheduled to go dark in Times Square and on top of The Mirage hotel on the Las Vegas strip in the United States, Piccadilly Circus in London, and Kings Cross in Sydney. Other well-known illuminated signs and billboards will go off from Mexico to Cairo to Shanghai. The Company also is helping promote Earth Hour in various markets with radio, movie theater, television and print advertising.

In Atlanta, the Company’s worldwide headquarters and the World of Coca-Cola will go dark as will the Grady Board and Woodruff Park signs. Elsewhere in the United States and Canada, the Company is donating an estimated $300,000 in media support to showcase Earth Hour PSAs, yielding over 5 million daily impressions across more than 197 markets during the two week period leading up to the event.

Coca-Cola employees are being encouraged to participate in Earth Hour activities, along with their families and friends. An Earth Hour reminder will be sent to employees in Spain with an event-branded candle to be lit during the lights out hour, and in Latin America, employees will receive pins and glow worms with key messages to mark the occasion. In addition, dozens of Coca-Cola offices and bottling facilities will go dark, and viewing parties and other special events are planned around the world. Earth Hour also is being promoted on Coca-Cola delivery trucks in some markets.

Coca-Cola system locations involved include: Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, France, Great Britain, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam and Zambia.

Earth Hour is a symbolic event that raises awareness and provides an opportunity for The Coca-Cola Company to demonstrate its commitment to climate protection. The Company is working to stabilize carbon dioxide emissions in its manufacturing operations system-wide with a goal to grow its business but not its carbon footprint. The Company also has committed to a 5 percent absolute emissions reduction in developed countries by 2015 (based on a 2004 baseline). These global commitments will prevent the release of more than 2 million metric tons of CO₂ in 2015.

“World Wildlife Fund is pleased that Coca-Cola is taking part in Earth Hour 2009,” said WWF-US President and CEO Carter Roberts. “The climate crisis is threatening the ability of our planet to support its inhabitants in the future. Not only is energy efficiency good for the bottom line, but smart companies know they must operate in ways that don’t deplete our world’s limited natural resources if they want to stay in business in the long term. Earth Hour is a great time for companies to find ways to reduce their environmental footprint—not only in their own operations, but throughout their supply chain.”

More than 2,700 cities, towns and municipalities in 83 countries are preparing to turn off their lights for one hour, making Earth Hour 2009 the largest climate event in history. Individuals, businesses, governmental organizations, schools and community organizations will come together, demonstrating that it’s possible to take action on global warming.

To learn more about Earth Hour or to get involved, please visit www.earthhour.org.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with nearly 500 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world’s most valuable brand, the Company’s portfolio includes 12 other billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, POWERADE, Minute Maid and Georgia Coffee. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of nearly 1.6 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our Web site at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

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