Jones Lang LaSalle Turns Out Lights in More Than 50 Countries for Earth Hour 2011

SINGAPORE, LONDON and CHICAGO, March 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- All over the world, office buildings managed by Jones Lang LaSalle and LaSalle Investment Management will go dark for an hour Saturday evening in observance of Earth Hour, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) annual campaign to encourage commitment to action on climate change.  

At 8:30 p.m. local time in cities around the world, Jones Lang LaSalle and LaSalle Investment Management offices in more than 50 countries will join with hundreds of thousands of other buildings in turning off non-emergency lighting for an hour, effectively darkening skylines around the world.

"Earth Hour is a powerful reminder of the central role that electricity plays in our lives, and the importance of conserving our planet's resources for future generations," said Lauralee Martin, Chief Operating and Financial Officer of Jones Lang LaSalle. "We're proud of the strong show of support by our people across the world—in our offices, the buildings of our clients and the homes of many of our employees."

"Starting in one city just five years ago, Earth Hour has grown to 4,600 cities and hundreds of millions of people around the world—and Jones Lang LaSalle has been involved from the start," said Dan Probst, Chairman of Energy and Sustainability Services at Jones Lang LaSalle. "We have seen participation increase among our employees and our clients, as more and more people show their support for this global event."

In addition to endorsing the campaign through its own 185 offices, Jones Lang LaSalle is partnering with clients in cities and towns around the globe to help them show their support, while thousands of the firm's employees are preparing to join the campaign in their own homes. Jones Lang LaSalle manages 1.8 billion square feet of commercial property owned by corporations and investors in 60 countries around the world.

"This year, World Wildlife Fund is asking people to 'go beyond the hour' with positive action on energy conservation, renewable energy and other environmental concerns, and these are goals that we have embraced as a company," Probst said. "In 2010, we helped building owners save 912,000,000 kilowatt-hours of energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 563,000 metric tons and save $128 million in energy costs. We're working with clients on renewable energy solutions in several countries, and we continue to work toward reducing our own carbon footprint as well."

About Earth Hour

Earth Hour is a global initiative in partnership with WWF. Individuals, businesses, governments and communities are invited to turn out their lights for one hour on Saturday March 26, 2011 at 8:30 PM to show their support for environmentally sustainable action. The event began in Sydney in 2007, when 2 million people switched off their lights. By 2010, Earth Hour had created history as the largest voluntary action ever witnessed with participation across 128 countries and territories and every continent, including the world's most recognized man-made marvels and natural wonders in a landmark environmental action.

About WWF

WWF is one of the world's largest and most experienced independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global Network active in more than 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

About Jones Lang LaSalle

Jones Lang LaSalle (NYSE: JLL) is a financial and professional services firm specializing in real estate. The firm offers integrated services delivered by expert teams worldwide to clients seeking increased value by owning, occupying or investing in real estate. With 2010 global revenue of more than $2.9 billion, Jones Lang LaSalle serves clients in 60 countries from more than 1,000 locations worldwide, including 185 corporate offices.  The firm is an industry leader in property and corporate facility management services, with a portfolio of approximately 1.8 billion square feet worldwide. LaSalle Investment Management, the company's investment management business, is one of the world's largest and most diverse in real estate with more than $41 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit our website, www.joneslanglasalle.com.

SOURCE Jones Lang LaSalle