Lighting
Lighting is a basic energy service for homes, businesses, and public spaces, supporting safety, productivity, and quality of life. United for Efficiency’s work on lighting builds on the success of the en.lighten initiative, which began accelerating the global transition to efficient lighting in 2009. Today, efficient lighting technologies offer one of the fastest and most cost-effective pathways to reduce electricity demand while improving access and the quality of light.
Efficient lighting systems are critical to:
- Deliver rapid electricity savings across all sectors
- Improve access to reliable and high-quality lighting
- Lower energy bills for households, businesses, and public services
- Reduce emissions while supporting safer and more productive environments
The Energy Efficiency Opportunity
The global transition to efficient lighting is already well underway, demonstrating how policies and technology can rapidly transform markets. Continued improvements in lighting efficiency, combined with smart controls, can further reduce electricity demand and emissions worldwide.
Efficient lighting is a proven success story
LED lighting demonstrates how existing technologies and policies can rapidly transform markets and significantly reduce electricity consumption.
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Lighting electricity demand can decline further
Global electricity consumption for lighting could decrease by around 4% by 2030. More stringent policies could reduce demand to well below current levels, particularly when combined with smart controls.
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Smart controls amplify energy savings
The use of occupancy sensors and daylight controls can further reduce electricity consumption beyond the gains achieved through efficient lighting technologies alone.
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Large system-wide benefits by 2030
Improving lighting efficiency could deliver nearly 122 TWh of annual electricity savings by 2030, avoid the construction of around 55 large power plants, reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 105 million tonnes annually, and save consumers around USD 16 billion on electricity bills.
U4E analysis based on global lighting market trends and policy scenarios.
Featured Resources
Explore selected U4E initiatives and resources supporting the transition to energy-efficient lighting:
