Page 32 - Respond 2016 Magazine

lighting

In 2012 we made our first call for the renovation of street lighting Seizing opportunity
at the Rio+20 summit, on a theme of sustainable development. Globally, lighting accounts for about 15 per cent of all electricity
A call renewed by our partners, at Climate Week NYC, this year. consumption, which we project to decline to 8% in 2030.
In 2016, we answered a Global Lighting Challenge from the 7th Harnessing the potential of smart buildings – homes, industry and
Clean Energy Ministerial in San Francisco, with a pledge to sell 2 offices – is also smart public policy. Doubling the rate of energy
billion LED light points by 2020. efficient gains would create a hydra-headed stimulus for economic
and social development. Benefits include creating six million new
To set these statements in context, our record should not be seen in jobs and cutting annual energy costs by Euro 2,300 billion by 2030.
isolation. In lighting, the transition to connected products, systems
and services brings new opportunities to address an urgent global At COP22, world leaders are tasked with finding concrete next
imperative. Digitalization of light means new ways to live, work and steps. Our best hope is for a mix of carrot-and-stick measures with
relax; to grow crops, heal the sick, power industry and build cities. particular emphasis on policy and financing. Next to bold targets
My point is that we have risen to tough challenges before, and we on energy efficiency, equivalent at least to an annual improvement
can do so again. of 3 per cent, we urgently need more ambition to drive renovation
in buildings.
Technology evolves, but the innovation we need is already with us.
By 2020, 80 per cent of Philips Lighting revenues will come from As it stands the renovation rate for buildings currently stands at
sustainable products, systems and services; our global operations about 1.2%, far short of what is required. Accelerated renovation,
will be carbon neutral, and 100 per cent of our energy will be from lifting the rate to around 3% per year, will be a key factor for
sustainable sources. These and other commitments lie at the heart success. Obviously this requires enabling policies in building codes
of our Brighter Lives, Better Planet sustainability strategy. and performance-based procurement, as well as fiscal measures.

For the private sector at large, it is important to share the lessons Research by Architecture 2030, a campaigning consultancy, shows
of experience. In the connected world, bringing innovation that by regulating for renovation of commercial buildings at the
to scale is really a matter of shared purpose and creative point of every change in ownership, we could double current rates
partnerships. For example, our partnership with Cisco Systems, of renovation to 3% per year. Let’s explore this avenue and make it
to deliver Power Over Ethernet, has made possible office lighting happen. I see only benefits for owners and real estate (more valuable
powered through data cables. For smart cities, our go-to-market future-proof buildings) and for occupants (more comfortable places
alliance with Vodafone has transformed humble street poles into to live and work), and a shift from operational (energy) expenses to
a new form of digital real estate, loaded with sensors and multi- slight rent increases that is cost-neutral overall.
tasking connectivity.

Soccer at night; the fight against
light poverty in Mathare, Kenya.

30 www.rtcc.org