How energy efficiency drives our sustainability goals

Novembe 08, 2019

The fight against climate change increases the need for more efficient energy use. Switching from conventional lighting to connected LEDs is one part of the solution.

At Climate Week in New York, our CEO Eric Rondolat delivered a simple but powerful call to action.

The magic words are three percent"

“The magic words are three percent,” Eric said. “If governments and companies achieve an annual increase of three percent energy efficiency driven by a similar three percent renovation rate, combined with a three percent increase in the use of renewable energy each year, then we’re well on the way to achieving a carbon neutral world by 2050.”

Sustainable lighting for cities

Making the change towards energy-efficient lighting can have major positive effects for cities. For example, in 2017 Poland implemented its first large-scale lighting management system and made the switch to connected LED lighting.

They started with the cities of Kalisz and Ostrów Wielkopolski, installing 2,000 LED luminaires with Interact City lighting asset and scene management software. The city lighting requires less maintenance time, costs less and is more energy efficient.

Making the change towards energy-efficient lighting can have major positive effects for cities"

Connected lighting’s effect on safety is another bonus; with better lighting comes a more family-friendly nightlife and safer streets. The connected lighting software provides real-time information on each luminaire’s status and energy use so that problems can be handled immediately.

The system saves up to 50% on electricity costs and related CO2, an encouraging figure for Poland and its move to smart cities.

Sustainable lighting for a brighter future

Lighting makes up 13% of global electricity consumption and 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Phasing out energy inefficient lighting like the incandescent light bulbs and halogen lamps and switching to energy-efficient LEDs can have significant environmental benefits.

Resource challenges and the fight against climate change increase the need for sustainable solutions. To meet the needs of a growing population, we need to consume resources more efficiently.

Simply replacing inefficient conventional lighting with LEDs would reduce energy consumption by a remarkable 53% and making the system intelligent could further improve savings up to 80%"

By 2030, the global tally of light points will have increased to 60 billion. Simply replacing inefficient conventional lighting with LEDs would reduce energy consumption by a remarkable 53% and making the system intelligent could further improve savings up to 80%.

In 2015, the UN established 17 global goals for sustainable development, known as the Sustainable Development Goals. Their purpose is to fight climate change and its catastrophic consequences for food security, weather patterns, and natural disasters.

For example, both Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy, and Goal 13: Climate change, are crucial to preventing these consequences. One of the ways by which we strive to contribute to these goals is leading the way to sustainable lighting.

Energy efficiency sustainability image 3

A vital measure for slowing climate change is the Global Lighting Challenge, which Signify participated in by committing to deliver 2 billion LED lamps and luminaires by 2020. This year, our CEO announced at Climate Week in NYC that we’ve reached this milestone.

Energy efficiency at the heart of our R&D

We’re committed to using innovation to lead the way in revolutionizing the lighting industry. We’ve pioneered many of the breakthroughs in our industry, and it was our R&D who developed the world’s most energy-efficient lightbulb.

Energy efficiency is a vital aspect of our innovation process, and as a purpose-led company, sustainability is a key driver in our activities."

Stephen Rouatt,

Head of Strategy & Market Intelligence.

In 2018, we invested EUR 236 million in sustainable innovation which represents 82% of Signify R&D expenses. We’re always adapting the energy-efficiency threshold for our R&D efforts in our ongoing search for sustainable alternatives.

About the author:

Anton Brummelhuis

Senior Director Sustainability

For further information, please contact:

Signify Global Integrated Communications
Neil Pattie
Tel: + 31 6 15 08 48 17
Email: neil.pattie@signify.com

About Signify

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals, consumers and the Internet of Things. Our Philips products, Interact systems and data-enabled services, deliver business value and transform life in homes, buildings and public spaces. In 2023, we had sales of EUR 6.7 billion, approximately 32,000 employees and a presence in over 70 countries. We unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world. We have been in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index since our IPO for seven consecutive years and have achieved the EcoVadis Platinum rating for four consecutive years, placing Signify in the top one percent of companies assessed. News from Signify can be found in the Newsroom, on X, LinkedIn and Instagram. Information for investors is located on the Investor Relations page.