28th March 2026, Nepal:  WWF Nepal commemorated Earth Hour 2026 with a powerful nationwide movement that brought together communities, youth, businesses, and digital platforms, demonstrating that collective action can drive meaningful change for the planet.

This year’s celebration reimagined Earth Hour as an active, people-powered movement, anchored in community engagement and fitness. In Kathmandu, WWF Nepal partnered with Meltdown to organize a series of three plastic-free runs that transformed awareness into action. Two mid-week runs held on March 18 and 25 each drew over 100 participants, setting the momentum for a growing movement. The first run, organized in collaboration with Khaalisisi, encouraged participants to bring e-waste for responsible recycling, followed by an interactive session and games that made learning about waste both accessible and engaging. The second run deepened this engagement, using interactive activities to spark conversations around wildlife, environmental threats, and the urgency of protecting our planet.

The movement culminated in a grand finale run on March 28, where more than 300 participants came together for a 3 km and 5 km run, turning the streets into a collective statement for nature. The energy carried into Narayanchaur Park, where a vibrant mini carnival filled with art, pledge signing, painting, treasure hunts, and immersive games by Sustainability Solutions unfolded, creating a space where awareness translated into commitment and action.

Beyond Kathmandu, WWF Nepal extended the spirit of Earth Hour to Nepal’s first designated fish sanctuary through an 11.4 km “Fish Sanctuary Run,” at Rajapur-3, Bardia where 50 runners highlighted the importance of freshwater ecosystems and the urgent need to protect aquatic biodiversity.

Collaboration defined Earth Hour 2026. Thirteen restaurants across Kathmandu including Roadhouse Cafe, Thamel, Mezze by Roadhouse, Durbarmarg, Le Sherpa Restaurant, Maharajgunj, La Casita Restaurant, Boudha, Piano Piano, Lazimpat, and Hard Rock Cafe, Durbarmarg joined the movement by hosting candlelight dinners from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM, inviting the public to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the planet through a simple yet powerful act.

Strategic partnerships amplified the reach of the movement even further. WWF Nepal collaborated with eSewa as a conservation partner for a hackathon aimed at developing digital solutions at the intersection of fintech and environmental conservation, launched on the occasion of Earth Hour. With over one million daily users, the eSewa app also carried an Earth Hour banner linking to awareness content, turning everyday digital interactions into opportunities for impact. In parallel, a partnership with Ncell extended the campaign’s reach through joint social media efforts, ensuring that the message of Earth Hour resonated across the country.

Young people stood at the forefront of this year’s movement. In the lead up to earth hour, through an eco-club art competition, students expressed their vision for a sustainable future, with Urmila Nath from Shree Shaheed Smriti Secondary School, Kailali emerging as the winner, and Anuska Mahato from Shree Secondary School, Chitrasari as runner-up. Innovation also took center stage through the Eco Innovation Challenge, won by Creative Academy School, Kirtipur, for their idea of transforming waste into practical solutions for environmental challenges, reinforcing that the next generation is ready to lead.

Earth Hour 2026 was a movement. It demonstrated that when individuals, communities, and organizations come together with purpose, small actions can build into a powerful collective force for nature.