Philips Lighting is trailblazing a path for corporates to use more renewable energy to power their operations in the Gulf region.
The international lighting company has confirmed it will purchase clean electricity from Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA’s) Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. Through a partnership with ECOHZ, Philips Lighting will become the first global corporate to buy its energy in this way – via the innovative International REC Standard. The I-REC scheme is closely aligned with the 100% green energy criteria established by RE100 – The Climate Group and CDP’s global programme targeted at major businesses committed to shifting to 100% renewable energy.
The move adds to the number of Philips Lighting’s operations that are driven by sustainable energy sources and contributes to its Brighter Lives, Better World vision, which would see the company become carbon neutral and access all its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
“If we look around us, we see an ever increasing need for more energy. Through the sales of our energy efficient lighting, we contribute to reducing lighting’s share of all global electricity consumption from the current 15% level to 8% in 2030. However, this alone is not enough. To keep our planet on course with the Paris agreement to mitigate climate change, we must fully switch to renewable sources of electricity. Partnering with ECOHZ enables us to keep to our part in this fiduciary duty,” said Nicola Kimm, Head of Sustainability, Environment, Health & Safety at Philips Lighting.
