Net zero and carbon neutral targets have been hitting the headlines in recent years as the UK begins to implement crucial changes to get it ever closer to its climate change goals
Energy efficient technologies to replace old outdated systems are a major part of the process, with lighting named as an easy yet vital change that can be implemented with little effort. Lighting accounts for almost 5% of global CO2 emissions, and by igniting a global switch to energy saving LED technology, organisations could save over 1,400 million tons of CO2.
In order for changes to make a difference world wide, each country needs to do its bit, starting with ensuring that councils across the UK are making strides towards being carbon neutral. As a Leicestershire based business, EcolightingUK has been encouraged by the changes that have been highlighted by Leicestershire County Council, which is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
The council is encouraging public bodies to reduce their emissions and benefit from guaranteed energy savings, and to look into the ways they can make a difference to their community with the help of financial aid in the form of grants and schemes.
The challenge
Reducing carbon emissions and increasing renewable energy is at the heart of the council’s strategy, but is not without its challenges. One of these being encouraging the reduction of carbon emissions in the communities it represents, as well as allowing public organisations to procure or finance projects more easily.
The impact
Roof solar PV installations have already been completed at two council buildings in Melton and Loughborough, covering more than 130 roof mounted panels and delivering 29,000 kWh of renewable energy each year. Because of the efficiency of the panels, the council will save more than £80,000 over their lifetime via a savings guarantee.
Countesthorpe college has also received an LED lighting upgrade which will see it save more than 465 tonnes CO2 over the lifetime of the project, and even more during the life expectancy of the fittings.
How EcolightingUK can help
As a Leicestershire business, EcolightingUK is delighted by the plan that has been set out by the county council.
“As a business that promotes energy saving technology, we’re very pleased that our council is also encouraging businesses to make changes to how they do things,” says Steve Gardner, Managing Director at EcolightingUK. “There are so many schemes and grants available now to aid the financial costs of updating equipment there’s no reason not to utilise them and benefit from massive savings in the long run.”
“We have supported many local businesses on their journeys to being carbon neutral, many of which are returning customers. We have installed everything from LED lighting to electric charging points and ventilation systems to car park lineage, on both retrofit and new projects. With so much help out there, contributing to preventing climate change whilst making huge energy savings should be a no brainer for any business!”
Unlike many other lighting companies, EcolightingUK has the benefit of having its own team of lighting and electrical installation engineers as well as carrying out the lighting scheme design with Relux software in the early stages of client lighting projects. We also manufacture luminaires in the UK and use UK-sourced Osram control gear and LED chips. All of this means that we have much better control than many of our competitors and can present better value for money to clients. EcolightingUK is assessed to BSEN ISO 9001:2015 and are members of the Lighting Industry Association.