From Carbon Reduction to Workplace Renewal: The New Blueprint for Better Buildings

The building and construction sector plays a crucial role in addressing climate change. Nearly 40 per cent of global carbon emissions are attributed to buildings, primarily driven by energy consumption for lighting, heating, and cooling. This creates an urgent need to adopt more efficient and sustainable solutions while continuing to support productivity, comfort, and wellbeing for building occupants.

Lighting sits at the intersection of environmental responsibility and human performance. Well-designed and intelligently managed lighting solutions are helping transform buildings into spaces that are both lower in carbon impact and better for the people who use them every day. Reducing emissions in buildings is no longer optional. Regulations are becoming more demanding, tenant expectations are increasing, and organisations are under pressure to lower operating costs while improving performance. Addressing these challenges requires both innovation and collaboration.

As the built environment faces growing pressure to decarbonise, we are working closely with Schneider Electric and Pineapple Partnerships through the Pineapple CoRE initiative. This collaboration focuses on addressing some of the most complex challenges in commercial real estate, including fragmented supply chains, limited access to funding, and slow implementation. By combining expertise across lighting energy management and delivery models, we are supporting a more coordinated and practical approach to improving the performance of existing buildings. This systems-based approach is critical given the scale of the challenge. Commercial and industrial buildings account for a significant share of global carbon emissions, and many still operate with outdated and inefficient infrastructure. Coordinated solutions are crucial for accelerating meaningful progress.

Lighting remains one of the most accessible and impactful ways to reduce energy use in buildings. By upgrading to efficient LED technology, connected lighting platforms, and intelligent control systems, building owners can significantly lower energy consumption while enhancing the appearance and functionality of their spaces.

Sustainability also extends beyond the buildings themselves. Our sustainable operations program is focused on reducing our carbon footprint, improving the environmental and safety performance of our manufacturing facilities, and minimising the amount of manufacturing waste sent to landfill. Energy efficiency measures and the use of renewable energy are central to this effort, supporting a healthier future for generations to come.

Modern LED lighting consumes significantly less energy than traditional lighting technologies, making it one of the fastest ways to reduce emissions in both new and existing buildings. Intelligent lighting systems further enhance efficiency by utilising sensors and automation to adjust lighting according to occupancy and available daylight, ensuring that light is provided only where and when it is needed.

Durable lighting solutions, designed for a long service life, help reduce environmental impact by limiting the need for frequent replacements and lowering the carbon footprint associated with production and transportation. Lighting infrastructure can also be integrated with on-site renewable energy sources such as solar installations to support broader sustainability strategies.

Lighting also plays a crucial role in shaping the workplace experience. The right lighting conditions can support wellbeing, improve concentration, and create more engaging environments. Tunable white lighting that changes throughout the day to reflect natural daylight patterns can help regulate circadian rhythms, supporting better sleep, mood, and alertness, particularly in spaces with limited access to daylight.

Brighter, cooler lighting during periods of high activity can enhance focus and reduce fatigue, while warmer lighting later in the day creates a calmer atmosphere. Flexible lighting systems enable workspaces to adapt easily to various tasks, ranging from collaborative sessions to individual, focused work. Visual comfort remains essential with well-designed lighting, which reduces glare, supports accurate colour rendering, and minimises eye strain.

Upgrading legacy lighting systems is one of the most effective ways to cut emissions in existing buildings. Many organisations have achieved substantial reductions in lighting-related energy use by replacing older fixtures with LED solutions and introducing occupancy-based controls, often with minimal disruption to their operations.

In new developments, lighting can be connected with wider building management systems, including heating, cooling, shading, and security. This integrated approach improves efficiency, comfort, and control while supporting long-term sustainability goals.

Decarbonising buildings and enhancing workplace experience go hand in hand. Energy-efficient lighting solutions reduce environmental impact while helping to create healthy, productive spaces where people can perform at their best.

As organisations continue to seek practical ways to meet sustainability targets and manage costs, lighting stands out as a proven and scalable solution. It is about more than illumination. It is about designing intelligent, sustainable environments that support both people and the planet.

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