UEFA will give its backing to social responsibility partner WWF – the global conservation organisation – by taking part in the WWF's Earth Hour on Saturday 31 March to highlight the issue of climate change and protecting the environment we live in.

European football's governing body is joining in the campaign being organised by the WWF network across the globe. Consequently, the lights in UEFA's headquarters – the House of European Football in Nyon, on the banks of Lake Geneva in Switzerland – will be switched off for one hour from 20.30CET on Saturday.

Last year 135 countries participated in the Earth Hour switch-off, and a number of new countries have signed up for the current initiative. UEFA calls on the European football community to support the campaign to protect the planet.

"Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution. I'm glad UEFA is part of the 2012 Earth Hour," said UEFA Executive Committee member and chairman of the UEFA Fair Play and Social Responsibility Committee, Peter Gilliéron. "We encourage the whole football family – associations, leagues, clubs and fans – to adopt urgently needed sustainability practices and join the world's largest voluntary action for the environment through the 'I Will If You Will' initiative."

"'I Will If You Will' invites Earth Hour followers to convince friends, family and colleagues in particular to commit themselves to a single act that would positively impact the world we live in – for example, walking to work instead of driving."

"In 2012," Earth Hour organisers say, "the largest voluntary action for the environment, Earth Hour, is asking people to go beyond the hour and achieve great things for the planet with 'I Will If You Will' – an opportunity to inspire and challenge friends, family, organisations and governments to adopt urgently needed sustainability practices. Earth Hour asks what are you willing to do to save the planet?"

Founded in 1961, WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organisations, with a global network active in more than 100 countries focused on safeguarding the planet's extraordinary wildlife species and habitats.