Global lighting manufacturers OSRAM and Philips Lighting were the founding partners of en.lighten. Due to en.lighten’s success, and because both companies stand strong for energy-efficient lighting solutions, they continue as active United for Efficiency partners. United for Efficiency operates in a changing global lighting market. The change impacts the business structures and product offerings of both OSRAM and PHILIPS Lighting.

“Philips Lighting is proud to work alongside UN Environment and the other United for Efficiency partners,” says Rolf Smeets, Director-Global of Philips Lighting Global Public & Government Affairs.

Stéphane Himber, Director Governmental Affairs of OSRAM agrees, “The positive benefits are speaking clearly for accelerating the transformation to energy-efficient lighting. en.lighten and United for Efficiency help to not only push access but expand access to many benefits.” United for Efficiency, he says, “is strong proof that coordinated collaboration between countries, international organizations and the private sector can accelerate sustainable development”.

Energy-efficient lighting’s potential is huge. “Lighting typically represents a 15 per cent share of the global electricity need. An accelerated transformation to environmentally sustainable lighting technologies can reduce energy demand by 40 – 70 per cent,” explains Smeets.

Market share of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is increasing at a rapid pace. LED is one of today’s most energy-efficient and rapidly developing lighting technologies. LEDs shine for up to 25 years. Electricity savings for consumers will be 85 per cent in countries phasing out incandescent lamps and jumping to LEDs.

Today, according to Himber, “OSRAM covers the entire LED value-added chain, from components to light-management solutions. And with around 8,000 LED patents, OSRAM has a considerable influence on the continuing development of LED technologies.”

Smeets highlights that as “a commitment to the 2016 Clean Energy Ministerial’s Global Lighting Challenge, Philips Lighting has pledged to deliver two billion LED lighting products to the market by 2020.”

Manufacturing partners such as OSRAM and Philips Lighting provide this unique expertise to United for Efficiency. “We brought our expertise to the projects and initiatives in several regional and local workshops all over the world,” says Himber, explaining this includes “market knowledge, technical expertise, assistance, experience and knowledge of regulations, market surveillance knowledge or application skills.”

United for Efficiency is open to countries and stakeholders with an interest in moving markets to energy-efficient products. By supporting United for Efficiency, partners contribute to reducing the world’s growing electricity consumption, mitigate climate change, and receive international visibility and recognition.