The Switch To LED Lighting Is Having A Big Impact On Commercial Energy Consumption

Julie Starr • June 1, 2020



Businesses are big energy consumers. The commercial sector in the average country consumes around 30 to 50 percent of the total electricity supply. 

For that reason, new energy-saving, low-carbon technologies are a big deal. Even small innovations can have an oversized difference in the total resource consumption of the sector. 

That’s why the emergence of cheap LED lighting is so exciting for people who care about sustainability . Finally, we have a lighting technology that converts the vast majority of electrical energy into photons. 

Historically, companies that needed to light vast spaces had a problem. The best available technology was incandescent. This method relied on heating a small, light-emitting filament to high temperatures to cause it to glow. It worked a little bit like a regular resistor, except the byproduct of the excess heat was visible, usable light.

The problem was that you had to heat the filament to extraordinarily high temperatures to get it to light up, wasting about 90 percent of the energy you put into it. And you had to shield it in a large bulb to prevent fires and damage to the surrounding environment. It was good technology, but it was by no means perfect. 

Halogen lighting was a refinement of this process, relying on light-emitting gases. But again, it still required the application of heat to get them to emit photons. It was about twice as efficient by still nowhere near where we need to be if we’re going to make a difference to overall energy consumption. 

Then along came LED lights, and the whole world changed. Suddenly, lights were able to convert 90 percent of energy into photons. 

Today a typical 150W UFO high bay light for warehouses, for instance, consumes perhaps 80 percent less energy than the equivalent incandescent spotlight. And it radiates far less heat, lessening the burden on cooling systems. 

We shouldn’t ignore the potential impact that this new lighting technology could have on the commercial sector’s energy consumption. According to Treehugger , companies should be able to slash their energy use for lighting by around 80 percent. Cutting their overall carbon footprint by approximately 1.5 percent doesn’t sound like a lot, but it is considerable. 

The efficiency of LED is essentially what makes them so friendly. The business community needs to enact LED conversion measures to help switch to this new form of lighting before it gets too late. 

It’s not all good news, though. While LED lights have made lighting ten times more efficient, they’ve also made it ten times cheaper . And that means that people are inclined to use more of it. Whereas switching off a light when you left a room was a habit in the past, people don’t bother so much anymore. Thus, the savings are less than many imagine when summed across the entire economy, especially the household sector. 

Businesses, however, can get around this by hooking up their lighting systems to sensors that detect whether there is any movement in the vicinity. If there isn’t, then they switch off. 

 

The Business Case for Sustainability: Communicating Your Strategy in an Evolving Landscape

By Julie Starr • February 17, 2025
A shifting political landscape can create uncertainty for businesses committed to sustainability, but one thing remains clear: the need for transparency and strategic communication has never been greater. As the federal government moves to roll back environmental and social policies, companies must proactively define their sustainability strategies, ensuring stakeholders—employees, customers, investors, and partners—understand their commitments and the business value they create. The Power of Clear Communication Sustainability is not a trend; it’s an imperative driven by economic, environmental, and social realities. Despite policy shifts, the forces of market demand, global regulation, and risk mitigation continue to push companies forward. To maintain momentum, organizations should : Clarify Their Sustainability Position: Companies must articulate their approach in ways that resonate with stakeholders. Whether reducing emissions, improving supply chain resilience, or advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, leaders should communicate clearly how these strategies align with long-term business success. Leverage Data-Driven Insights: In an era of skepticism, relying on factual, measurable sustainability outcomes strengthens credibility. Stakeholders need more than broad commitments—they need clear, quantifiable impacts. Maintain Focus on Global Markets: While federal policies may change, international regulations and customer expectations continue to favor sustainable business models. Companies operating across borders must ensure their sustainability strategies align with evolving global standards. Staying the Course in a Changing Environment While some companies may feel pressure to scale back sustainability efforts in response to shifting political winds, leading organizations recognize that progress is a long-term game. Now is not the time to retreat but to double down on: Resilient Supply Chains: With new tariffs and policy changes affecting imports, companies should evaluate how sustainability-driven supply chain diversification can reduce risk and enhance efficiency. Operational Decarbonization: The financial and strategic benefits of decarbonization—from renewable energy investments to energy-efficient operations—remain strong, independent of policy shifts. Workforce and Customer Engagement: Employees and consumers increasingly expect businesses to uphold their values. Companies that maintain commitments to social responsibility and environmental impact will strengthen brand loyalty and attract top talent. Sustainability leadership is about more than responding to regulatory shifts—it’s about defining the future. Companies that stay the course, communicate effectively, and align their sustainability strategies with business objectives will be the ones that thrive in the years ahead.

Connecting the Dots: Air Quality, Climate Messaging, and Stakeholder Engagement

By Julie Starr • February 7, 2025
I n a world increasingly affected by environmental change, it’s critical to recognize the everyday impacts of air pollution beyond the commonly cited respiratory and cardiovascular risks. A recent study, published in Nature Communications , reveals that even short-term exposure to air pollution can impair cognitive function, affecting focus, emotional recognition, and task performance. This groundbreaking research underscores the urgent need for effective climate communication and stakeholder engagement to address air quality issues. At Taiga Company, we specialize in climate-focused stakeholder engagement, helping organizations bridge the gap between scientific findings and actionable change. Our services provide a crucial platform for educating stakeholders—including businesses, policymakers, and communities—on the dangers of air pollution and the strategic steps needed to mitigate its effects.  The Link Between Air Quality and Cognitive Function The study found that exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter, even for just an hour, reduced participants' ability to maintain focus, process emotions accurately, and avoid distractions. Such cognitive impairments can have profound implications in workplace productivity, education, and public safety. For instance, employees working in environments with poor air quality may experience diminished concentration, leading to decreased efficiency and increased errors. Similarly, students exposed to air pollution may struggle with academic performance due to impaired attention and emotional regulation. These insights reinforce the idea that air pollution is not just an environmental concern but a societal and economic one, requiring a holistic approach to policy, corporate responsibility, and community engagement. The Role of Climate Messaging in Air Quality Awareness Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, public awareness of air pollution’s cognitive and behavioral impacts remains limited. This is where strategic climate messaging becomes essential. Effective communication can: Translate complex scientific research into accessible, actionable insights for diverse audiences. Drive policy advocacy by equipping decision-makers with data-backed arguments for stricter air quality regulations. Encourage behavioral change among businesses and individuals by highlighting solutions, such as cleaner transportation, sustainable energy sources, and indoor air quality improvements. However, simply disseminating information is not enough. Stakeholder engagement ensures that communities, businesses, and policymakers are not just informed but also motivated and equipped to take action. Moving Forward: A Collective Responsibility The study’s findings make one thing clear: air pollution is not just an environmental issue—it’s a cognitive and social issue with wide-reaching consequences. As we navigate an increasingly complex climate landscape, it’s crucial to integrate air quality concerns into broader discussions on sustainability, health, and productivity. At Taiga Company, we believe that effective stakeholder engagement is the key to transforming awareness into action. By educating businesses, policymakers, and communities, we can drive the changes necessary to create a healthier, more sustainable future for all. To learn more about how Taiga Company can help your organization develop impactful climate communication and stakeholder engagement strategies, contact us today.
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