Global Lighting Challenge: Changing the world through public-private partnerships

Panel: 7. Appliances, products, lighting and ICT

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Allison Kimble, CLASP, USA
Hans Alarcon, CLASP, USA
Chad Gallinat
Peter Bennich

Abstract

Lighting accounts for 15% of global electricity consumption and 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Accelerating the transition to energy efficient lighting could be one of the most significant short-term initiatives to improve economic and climate conditions around the world. In recognition of this tremendous potential, the Global Lighting Challenge (GLC) was launched in December 2015 by the Clean Energy Ministerial and the US Department of Energy. The GLC is a race to reach cumulative global sales of 10 billion high-efficiency, high-quality, and affordable lighting products, such as light-emitting diode (LED) lamps. Since its launch, the GLC has built a public-private volunteer coalition of more than 50 governments, manufacturers, retailers, and expert groups working together to accomplish its 10 billion product goal. We try to put all actors on the same side of the climate change project by promoting businesses who make commitments, and showcasing governments who make endorsements. We’ve reached global industry leaders such as Cree, Philips, and Ikea and smaller groups such as San Francisco Airport and Urban Volt to make commitments. Some governments such as Sweden and India have launched their own nationwide LED lighting campaigns. The GLC also looked to collaborate with other international efforts such as the SEAD Initiative’s Global Efficiency Medal competition which is pushing the boundaries of energy efficiency by recognizing innovative new industrial and outdoor lighting technologies. We believe that a major key to success is the focus on building a public-private partnership to reach the COP21 Paris Agreement goals. This paper will present a theory of change for international campaigns by discussing the difficulties and benefits of building a volunteer coalition on a global scale that seeks to accelerate the transition to energy efficient lighting.