Philips’s officials have called for a rapid worldwide switch to LED lighting at the UN Climate Change Conference in Durban.

According to the company, a tipping point has been reached in the development of LED lighting that can now be used for general high-quality lighting in almost all applications. The switch to LED lighting will help combat climate change, save energy and improve people's lives through increased well-being, safety and productivity where they live and work.

At Climate World Summit, Harry Verhaar, Senior Director for energy and climate change at Philips Lighting, challenged the world's governments and businesses to make a rapid switch to LED lighting, "LED lighting offers both dramatic savings in energy use and maintenance costs, while at the same time enhancing the feeling of safety, security and comfort of people on streets and public spaces, in buildings and at home. In fact, thanks to the latest solar and battery developments, our LED lighting solutions can provide excellent, reliable and cost-effective lighting solutions for the 1.6 billion people around the world which currently live without electricity. "

Philips Africa CEO, JJ van Dongen, stressed the benefits of LED lighting for African countries. "South Africa has been very proactive in recognizing that investing in energy-efficient and sustainable lighting solutions will reduce consumption and lower public and private costs, while increasing the quality of life. Philips is committed to help African countries invest in a sustainable future by delivering the most innovative and energy-efficient lighting technology. A shift to LED lighting solutions will allow Africa to make a technology leap in the same way as mobile phones are doing right now, and offers Africa and indeed the world very significant benefits."