Green lights for office design

Office design news from Morgan Lovell

Published on 04-07-2006

Switching to energy efficient lighting in office design plans could cut firms' electricity bills, a new report has found.

A study by International Energy Agency (IEA) has highlighted the fact that without change now the amount of energy used for lighting will be 80 per cent higher in 2030 than today.

Claude Mandil, IEA executive director, said: "However, if we simply make better use of today's efficient lighting technologies and techniques, global lighting energy demand need be no greater at that time.

"This important work shows that the potential for energy savings in lighting is simply enormous and can be achieved with technologies that not only are readily available in the market but economically-competitive during the life cycle of the product. Moreover, more efficient lighting also results in lower CO2 emissions."

It is estimated the electricity used by lighting costs $360 billion a year across the world and produces as much in carbon emissions as 70 per cent of the world's cars.

Using energy efficient lighting systems in office design is just one way firms can make a difference to the environment and save money.

"Government and the private sector must grasp the opportunity that energy efficient lighting offers, if we are to attain the clean and competitive economy that we seek," said Mr Mandil.