GE Lighting, the lighting business of GE, and The Change Initiative, a one stop destination specializing in solutions that reduce human impacts on the environment and promote sustainable development, announced a joint venture initiative to promote energy-efficient lighting across residences and commercial establishments in the UAE, according to reports by local UAE media Zawya and Dubai City Bling. 

In addition, the joint initiative will drive a 'direct to home' service that makes it extremely easy for UAE residents - both residential and commercial - to access sustainable yet aesthetic LED lighting products.

The two entities will work to promote energy efficient lighting with a special focus on LED retrofits at homes and offices, which can contribute to upto 70 percent savings in energy in existing buildings. GE and The Change Initiative also plan to reach nearly 70 percent homes by end-2014 to generate awareness on the need to use sustainable lighting solutions. The joint initiative aims to service at least 7,000 households with efficient lighting systems through the 'direct to home' service.

George Bou Mitri, GE General Manager of Middle East, Africa and Turkey, Agostino Renna, President & CEO of GE Lighting Europe (left) and  Mr. Gundeep Singh, Founder & CEO of The Change Initiative at Light Middle East (right) sign the contract. (Photo Courtesy of Zawya)

In the presence of George Bou Mitri, GE Lighting's General Manager of Middle East, Africa and Turkey, Agostino Renna, President & CEO of GE Lighting Europe, Middle East and Africa, signed the agreement with Mr. Gundeep Singh, Founder & CEO of The Change Initiative at Light Middle East, the region's largest exhibition for the lighting industry, being held at the Dubai International Convention Center.

"The joint venture with The Change Initiative is a strong testament to GE Lighting's commitment to support the sustainable development goals of the UAE,” said Agostino Renna. “Lighting accounts for significant energy usage and recent studies have revealed that the use of energy efficient solutions can help achieve up to 75 per cent savings in energy consumption."

"With the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy targeting a reduction in energy use by 30 per cent by 2030 and Abu Dhabi targeting 7 per cent renewable energy generation capacity by 2020, the nation has demonstrated its strong focus to strengthen environmental sustainability,” added George Bou Mitri. “Our new initiative plans to effectively reach both residential and commercial end-users in retro-fitting existing buildings with energy efficient LED solutions."

As part of the agreement, GE Lighting and The Change Initiative will promote awareness on energy-efficient lighting nation-wide, and also service the commercial sector with energy audits, studies on new and efficient models and total cost of ownership calculations.

GE Lighting will offer its full spectrum of LED lighting solutions for the 'direct to home' service to be facilitated by The Change Initiative. The direct to home service currently offers range of sustainable solutions like ECOVER home cleaning solutions, accessories, services like indoor air quality measurement and other energy saving solutions for homes.

GE is showcasing its entire spectrum of advanced and innovative LED solutions for residential, retail, hospitality, commercial and outdoors at Light ME. It is estimated that lighting accounts for 20 per cent of all electricity consumed around the world and up to 75 per cent of that can be reduced by switching to efficient lighting (LED). Savings from lighting has been identified as the most immediate and cost effective method to immediately reduce the carbon footprint around the globe by UNEP (enlighten program).