Increased urbanization and population growth are expected to drive a 50% rise in lighting by 2030. To counter this energy demand, the Global Lighting Challenge is encouraging the widespread adoption of LEDs, with a goal of deploying 10 billion affordable fixtures and bulbs.
According to the Clean Energy Ministerial, the program creator, lighting accounts for 15% of global electricity consumption. It is also responsible for 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which is more than double the emissions of worldwide air travel. Accelerating the transition to energy efficient lighting will have a significant environmental and economic impact.
The European Commission and 13 countries, including the U.S., have endorsed the lighting benchmark. The DOE has a number of programs to help business owners finance lighting retrofits. In addition to a municipal outdoor lighting initiative, the DOE offers the Lighting Energy Efficiency in Parking (LEAP) Campaign and the Interior Lighting Campaign for offices.
