Isramart: Changes in lifestyle will reduce carbon footprint, Philips says

Isra-Mart news:
Dubai: Dutch consumer electronics giant Royal Philips has taken a giant leap forward to address a growing demand for sustainable options that enable them to contribute to the environment through small everyday steps.

“We as individuals can push corporations to create market solutions and call for action from governments to protect the climate. But first and foremost, we must cut back on our personal energy consumption and reduce our carbon footprint, by making smart daily choices. We should try and change our personal energy label,” Vincenzo Ventricelli, Director of consumer marketing, Philips Consumer Lifestyle, Middle East and Africa, told Gulf News on the sidelines of the press conference after unveiling a series of eco-friendly products.

He said Philips firmly believes that corporate responsibility and community action play a key part in responding to today’s climate challenges.

“At Philips we use our expertise to develop sustainable solutions for people around the world.”

Energy saving

The largest lighting manufacturer in the world reckons that if everyone switched to energy-efficient lighting, we would save $152 billion (Dh557.8 billion) in electricity costs a year, 555 million tonnes of carbon emissions and 1.5 billion barrels of oil.

Assuming the average light bulb is on for 10 hours a day, a single 40-watt bulb will generate 88 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide every year.

By comparison, a 13-watt LED equivalent will only be responsible for one third of that amount, namely 29 kilogrammes.

Philips, which ranks third in the Green peace guide to greener electronics, aims to generate 30 per cent of its sales from green products by 2012.

Vincenzo said the company expects two to three rise in market share from the current 15 per cent as part of its ecovision plan.
“The green products are around five per cent costlier than the normal products but the long-term benefits are huge for the consumer’s pocket and for the environment,” he said.

“We are raising the awareness of the green products and the benefits will bear fruit only after a couple of years and Philips is committed to creating products that meet this need,” Vincenzo said.