“Lighting accounts for nearly 6% of global CO2 emissions. A global switch to energy efficient LED technology could save over 1,400 million tons of CO2 and avoid the construction of 1,250 power stations.” – The Climate Group
With savings over 70% and an energy conservation measure which doesn’t require a change in human behavior to work, LED lighting upgrades have been recognized as one of the most actionable and ready-to-implement technologies to have an immediate impact on reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.
No longer a nice-to-do, corporate socially responsible decision making and action in regards to energy conservation measures like upgrading non LED lighting systems are now an imperative, any business that is not actively pursuing an upgrade should be questioning the fiscal and social responsibility of their operatives, or risk liability towards their reputation. Businesses today are expected to be an active participant, if not a driving force in solving the most pressing social and environmental issues.
But despite recognizing the issue, or the ability to upgrade with with no upfront capital costs using an equipment lease, or the quick project cost payback from energy savings within 3 years if self financed, many businesses resist energy efficiency by not taking any action and this is a complex societal problem that needs a multi-pronged approach. Policy, rate structures and utilities all make a difference, but in the end, the motivation for change remains with corporate entities and individuals.
Consumers possess high expectations, nine-in-10 global citizens say they would boycott if they learned of irresponsible behavior.
Global consumers have definitive expectations for the role companies should play in addressing social and environmental issues and are avidly considering Corporate Social Responsibility in a variety of decisions:
• Just 6% of consumers believe the singular purpose of business is to make money for shareholders
• 91% believes companies must go beyond the minimum standards required by law to operate responsibly
• 93% wants to see more of the products and services they use support CSR
• More than eight-in-10 consider Corporate Social Responsibility when deciding where to work (81%), what to buy or where to shop (87%) and which products and services to recommend to others (85%)
Although the majority shares positive information with their networks, more than a quarter are communicating negative news:
• 34% of consumers use social media to share positive information about companies and issues
• 29% are using social media to learn more about specific organizations and issues
• 26% are using social media to share negative information
Consumers are more than ever, using their purchasing power as avenue for consumer activism against companies. Nine-in-10 global citizens say they would boycott if they learned of a company’s irresponsible business practices, and more than half (55%) have done so in the past 12 months.
Today’s sophisticated global consumer also understands companies must look within and evolve the way they operate to achieve the greatest positive impact. Consumers remain steadfast in their convictions that businesses must change the way they operate in order to address today’s pressing social and environmental issues. Just 7 percent thinks it’s enough for companies to engage in issues through cash, product or service donations.
Done properly, an LED lighting upgrade allows for the fastest return on investment (ROI);
Workplace Wellness, Increased Productivity, Reduction in Operating Costs & Carbon Emissions.
Article Sources:
https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/09/f33/ssl_overview_sep2016.pdf
https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/07/f24/led-adoption-report_2015.pdf
https://www.theclimategroup.org/project/led-scale