Signify’s Canadian and U.S. Operations Achieve Carbon Neutrality

September 26, 2018

Signify has been working to reduce carbon emissions in Canada and the U.S. for nearly 10 years, implementing energy-efficiency improvements in its factories, utilizing office space more efficiently and increasing the use of renewable electricity to 100% in 2016. This is a major milestone towards the entire company becoming carbon neutral in 2020.

The electricity is sourced from a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a windfarm in Texas. The company compensates for the remaining carbon emissions from its industrial operations, offices, warehouses, business travel and logistics. 

“I’m extremely proud that we’ve achieved carbon neutrality for our operations in the US and Canada, a significant milestone that was reached through contributions by our entire organization,” says Chris White, Market Group Leader of Signify’s operations in the Americas.

“Two years ago, we launched our Brighter Lives, Better World sustainability program during Climate Week New York and have made substantial progress in reaching our goals in that short time. Signify has been a leader and early adopter in introducing initiatives that create a more sustainable environment for customers, partners and employees. From operating fully on renewable electricity in the US to choosing fast ocean shipping as alternative for air freight, we have demonstrated that it is possible to reach our ambitious sustainability goals.”

‘Brighter Lives, Better World’

Signify introduced its “Brighter Lives, Better World” sustainability program in 2016, setting ambitious sustainability goals for 2020 and consisting of two pillars:

1. Sustainable revenues:

• 80% of revenues will come from sustainable products, systems and services
• More than 2 billion LED lamps and luminaires delivered

2. Sustainable operations:

• 100% carbon neutral for operations
• 100% use of renewable electricity
• Zero waste to landfill in manufacturing
• Strive for a safe and healthy workplace with a total recordable case rate of less than 0.35
• Ensuring a sustainable supply chain with minimum supplier performance rate of 90%

As part of Signify’s leadership in energy efficiency measures it is committed to the World Green Building Council’s initiative to have all the buildings that it is using to be carbon neutral by 2030. In addition to that, Signify supports The Climate Group’s EV100 initiative to operate a 100% electric and hybrid lease fleet by 2030 and its RE100 initiative to scale up the use of renewable electricity.

Signify became the new company name of Philips Lighting as of May 16, 2018. The legal name of Signify will be adopted in the US and Canada in early 2019.