Hilton Worldwide announced that, in support of Earth Hour 2012, all hotels in its portfolio in the Australasian region pledge to go beyond the hour initiative and offset the carbon emissions of every occupied room once a month for the rest of the year.

This will be in addition to their pledge to offset carbon emissions from their guest rooms during Earth Hour on Saturday March 31, 2012.

To help out corporate travellers, many of whom are battling to decipher the impact of the upcoming Carbon Tax, all participating Hilton properties in the Australasian region will offset the carbon emissions on the second Monday of every month.

Ashley Spencer, Vice President – Operations, Australasia, said, "Earth Hour has encouraged corporations and individuals to make a commitment to go beyond the hour and to challenge others to do the same. We believe offsetting carbon once a month with help us to reach our sustainability goals and help set the bench marks for other corporations."

"All customers who choose to stay at a Hilton in Australasia during the elected days will be notified, through information provided in their rooms, of our commitment to Earth Hour and exactly what their occupancy is doing to help the environment. The positives that will come from the amount of carbon we will be offsetting through this initiative far outweigh any financial impact that may occur," said Mr Spencer.

As the sponsor for Earth Hour this year, Hilton Sydney recently hosted the official launch of Earth Hour 2012 at Marble Bar. To show their full support for Earth Hour, Hilton Worldwide Australasia has taken on a second key initiative in the Earth Hour campaign.

Hilton Worldwide Australasia will be taking part in Earth Hour Unplugged - a series of community based events that will not be using electricity or emitting any carbon during and even beyond the hour.

"Each individual Hilton property will be hosting their own Unplugged event during Earth Hour. Some properties will be hosting candle-lit dinners while others will be featuring local talent giving ‘unplugged' or acoustic performances," said Mr Spencer.

Hilton Sydney plans to mark Earth Hour 2012 from 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, March 31, 2012 as people and organisations around the world turn off their lights in support of action on global climate change

The hotel's signature 'Earth Hour Unplugged' event will be a free, acoustic gig at iconic live music-hub, Marble Bar with Melbourne's coolest rock and roll sextet, The Hello Morning. Heading to Sydney especially to play the one-night only acoustic set during Earth Hour, 8.30pm - 9.30pm, the candlelit gig is set to be unmissable and a spotlight Sydney event for Earth Hour 2012.

Each property will have their Unplugged event listed on the WWF-Earth Hour website.