Signify Academy Sustainability audiobooks

Buildings are the single largest consumer of energy in the EU. 85% of buildings in the region were built before 2000 and of those, 75% have a poor energy performance.  With 37% of global energy-related emissions resulting from building and construction, as the World Green Building Council reports, renovation rates must increase from the current 1% annually to 2.5% by 2030 to be on track for its 2050 net zero target.

8-point action plan from the World Resources Institute

·       Estimate how much you can save with the Signify Green Switch Calculator

·       Learn more about the Signify 2040 Climate Transition Plan

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Light is a must for any business, building or city, but finding the funds to invest in a lighting upgrade might not be in the plans. Instead of making a major upfront investment to buy, install, and manage a new lighting system, Light-as-a-Service (LaaS) provides an alternative. From the initial design and installation to operation and maintenance, LaaS allows businesses to invest in connected, energy-efficient lighting, while generating savings and optimizing cash-flow from day one

 
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We must not allow the 2024 European Parliament elections to derail progress on climate action.

Opinion polls in every EU member state anticipate that the 2024 European Parliament elections will result in a shift to the right. Statistical models forecast gains by the right and losses by center, left and green parties. The election results will have implications on coalitions, alignments, and national debates within EU member states.

Link to the blog page

It's important to keep in mind that making the transition to energy-efficient lighting involves not just technological change but also social change. People have to want to make the switch. Individuals have to understand the positive effects of well-managed LED lighting on comfort and well-being. Businesses and cities have to understand its advantages not only in terms of energy and emissions reductions but also in terms of improvements to operations and quality of life.

Cities can engage and work together to reduce global emissions

Commitments made through the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate Energy (GCoM) and the C40 Cities underline the key role of cities in transforming formal agreements into real action. Cities can institute and build on changes quickly, especially with the support of national and international entities, which can provide financial and logistical support to power innovation.

relevant links:

• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Urban Transitions Mission (UTM) 
• The C40 Leadership Standards 2021-20-2024
• The NetZeroCities project
• 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030
• Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
• ENI CBC Med GreenBuilding program
• The Greater Irbid climate action plan
• Whitepaper Building truly sustainable cities 

Embedding sustainability goals within an industry or supply chain strategy broadens the definitions of value and risk. Value increases as consumers seek to purchase products from companies that embrace sustainable practices. A sustainability-centered strategy also gives companies a platform for managing climate-related risk. Increased value and risk management occur through efforts to decarbonize processes, reduce energy consumption, decrease waste, and extend product lifecycles. A range of competitive advantages become apparent by linking cost savings and earnings growth with sustainable approaches.

Important links:
recent McKinsey study
study submitted for the Steel Manufacturers Association

The German city of Düsseldorf has set itself the target of becoming carbon-neutral by 2035. It sees the application of smart city technologies as key to achieving these targets and an intelligent public lighting system as the critical infrastructure for this transformation.

An article published in the Economist in February 2024

References

• Interact City connected lighting: Improved sustainability and community equity
• Signify Green Switch program
• Signify Interact connected lighting system
• Signify’s BrightSites solution 

How connected systems can help cities build sustainability and wellbeing into their indoor and outdoor spaces 

Written by

Sue Weekes 

News Editor,
SmartCitiesWorld

SmartCitiesWorld White Papers examine an emerging or growing trend in smart cities, highlighting progress so far and future development, as well as spotlighting case studies from cities around the world. In this report, we explore how cities are building sustainability into their indoor and outdoor environments. 

www.smartcitiesworld.net 

(Signify in partnership with the Climate Group)

The word “revolution” points towards fundamental shifts in thinking or activities that cause fundamental changes in socioeconomic status. The impacts of each of the four industrial revolutions continue to ripple into the present and future. 

As industrial economies progressed, people began to enjoy better lifestyles as access to lower-cost, mass-produced goods improved. Manufacturers and producers worked to sell the maximum number of products at the lowest possible cost. Higher salaries and better living conditions prompted an increase in population and the growth of metropolitan areas. Improved infrastructure, breakthrough scientific discoveries, and new technologies made travel and communication easier. The world became a smaller place.  

LED lighting solutions and innovative technologies play a key role in decarbonizing industry
According to the International Energy Agency, in 2022 industry accounted for 25% of the world’s carbon emissions. This makes industrial decarbonization critical if net zero goals are to be met.

An article published in the Economist in November 2023

References

• The Economist article
• Green Switch 
• Interact connected lighting system