Lighting: A Critical, Yet Overlooked, Technology in the EU Green Transition
As Europe strides towards more sustainability, the energy efficiency industrial ecosystem is pivotal, with lighting playing a crucial, yet often underappreciated role. Beyond mere utility, lighting enhances life quality, is a cornerstone of energy efficiency and should be better recognised as such in EU legislation.
Today, supported by 17 of our national association members, we publish a statement highlighting the vital role of lighting in Europe's green and competitive future.
The impact of lighting technologies
In Europe, lighting represents about 12% of the electricity consumption. Transitioning to energy-efficient lighting offers an immediate opportunity to reduce both energy demand and CO₂ emissions. Europe is only halfway through the shift to LED technology, and combining LEDs with sensors and controls can unlock energy savings of up to 80%.
Europe's lighting industry: A hub of innovation
The European lighting market, valued at over €20 billion, is a hotbed of innovation, sustaining around 120,000 jobs, with over 600 patents filed between 2021 and 2022. The sector has a strong European footprint, with most R&D conducted on the continent.
A Call for Recognition and Action
To fully leverage the benefits of lighting, we urge policymakers to:
- Recognise lighting as an essential technology for the green transition, including through incentives and financing support via EU budget instruments.
- Implement ambitious energy efficiency measures and renovation policies at the national level.
- Prioritise quality and sustainability in public procurement.
- Simplify and clarify lighting product rules, without overhauling existing requirements.
- Strengthen the enforcement of existing EU rules, especially in online markets.
How to Access the LightingEurope Statement
Read the statement and the full list of recommendations here.
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