Name

Philips Lighting

No. of employees

Approx. 122,000 employees (2011)

Revenue

22.6 billion euro sales (2011)

Country

HQ in the Netherlands

OVERVIEW

Philips strives to make the world healthier and more sustainable through innovation. To effectively face global challenges such as population growth and aging, healthcare costs, urbanization, and resources, businesses need to be in constant dialogue with governments, civil society, and academia. 

The LED Lighting Revolution and Livable Cities

Currently, lighting accounts for 19% of global electricity production, according to the International Energy Agency. Two thirds of the current lighting is based on older, energy-inefficient technologies developed before 1970. A full switch to the latest LED (light-emitting diodes) lighting solutions provides an average of 40% energy savings, and a reduction in CO2 emissions.

Philips drives this lighting market transition, because besides energy savings, it believes LED lighting solutions will help create better environments for people to live, work, and play.

Explore the full size infographic.

Effective partnering

Philips collaborates with municipalities, and corporations to develop joint livable city visions and sustainable business models. Already cities and villages over the globe scaled up to energy-efficient LED lighting solutions as result of effective public-private partnerships:

• In China, Solar LED lighting systems were installed at 15 villages through the collaboration of the Guiyang municipal government, the One Foundation, The Climate Group, and Philips. The United Nations chose this project as a best practice of public-private partnership during the Momentum for Change-event. The project enhances people’s lives in poor rural communities, while spurring green growth, saving energy and combating climate change. 
• The US Department of Energy awarded Philips with the highly prestigious ‘L Prize’ for the 10 watt Philips LED bulb as replacement of the 60 watt incandescent bulb. The requirements by the US Department included exceptional efficacy, long life of more than 25,000 hours compared to the 1,000 to 3,000 hours of current used bulbs, form factor and defined fitting measurements. The Department calculated that if every 60 watt incandescent bulb in the US was replaced with the 10 watt Philips LED bulb, the nation would save USD 3.9 billion in one year and avoid 20 million tons of carbon emissions. This is comparable with the emission reduction that could be realized by shutting down 20 medium-size power stations. 
• Philips is one of the first lead partners in The Climate Group’s Clean Revolution Campaign which aims to push for the policies, technologies and investment we need to create a smarter, better, more prosperous future for all. Switching to energy-efficient lighting plays an important role as demonstrated by The Climate Group’s independent global city trial. The two and a half year research shows that LED street lighting can generate energy savings as high as 85% when combined with smart controls. Results also show that the preference of citizens in four pilot cities of LED lighting, citing the social and environmental benefits. The Indian city of Kolkata has already scaled up its LED trial with Philips LED street lighting: watch the video.

Innovation and Philips

Through its mission to improve people’s lives with meaningful innovations, and vision to strive for a healthier and more sustainable world, Philips provides solutions in a number of areas that are central to social and ecological innovation. Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights in the area of health and well-being. Philips is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES

More information on Royal Philips Electronics’ sustainability efforts can be found at: Philips.com/Sustainability/

LINKS

• Philips.com