UN GLOBAL COMPACT
Taking action on climate change represents one of this century’s most defining topic. To recognize the transition to a zero-carbon economy is the only way to secure a sustainable future for all. Launched in 2000, by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the UN Global Compact was initiated to bring business and the United Nations together. When businesses unite, they are a powerful force for good by upholding universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour and the environment.
Although important progress has been made, the actions do not currently match the ambition and pace necessary to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2020 shows that humanity is on an unsustainable path, with climate change occurring much faster than anticipated, accelerating ocean acidification, 1 million plant and animal species at risk of extinction, deepening inequality and persistent poverty, and unsustainable consumption and production patterns.
All stakeholders must unite to transform this collective aspiration into reality. The aim with the UN Global Compact is to uniting business for a better world. From that goal the initiative “Recover better” was born.
RECOVER BETTER
When celebrating the 20th anniversary of the UN Global Compact, an event themed “Recover Better, Recover Stronger, Recover Together” was arranged. It was a platform where leaders from business, civil society, Governments and the UN were challenged to reflect on the importance of collaboration and public-private partnerships. The goal was to increase their ambition to achieve the sustainable development goals.
The Recover Better statement was signed in June 2020 by approximately 150 different companies, including well-known brands as the H&M Group, Husqvarna Group, Inter IKEA Group and INDITEX, to just name a few. The core of the agreement is divided in three areas:
- DEMONSTRATE THAT THE BEST DECISIONS AND ACTIONS ARE GROUNDED IN SCIENCE.
By implementing ambitious science-based targets, we aim to set the world on a 1.5°C trajectory leading to healthier and safer people, and a healthier and safer planet. - INVEST IN RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE FOR A SYSTEMIC SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION.
By divesting from fossil fuels and innovating in low-carbon, resilient solutions, we are prioritizing green jobs and sustainable growth, protecting nature and people, and delivering on the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement. - WORK WITH GOVERNMENTS AND SCALE UP THE MOVEMENT.
By advocating for enabling policies aligned with a 1.5°C trajectory and zero carbon economy, we look to policymakers to give businesses the confidence and clarity they need to take ambitious climate action.
HOW CAN THE LIGHTING INDUSTRY PARTICIPATE?
It is very visible in the Overshoot day-graphic, that us humans has for a long period of time consumed over our assets. And to be able to meet the needs of a growing population, we need to household with our resources more efficiently. This is a challenge for all industries and organisations, not only producing companies.
- Changing the current state for the climate, is not an individual task, says Niclas Thulin, Environmental Coordinator at Fagerhults Belysning. It is a joint effort, that we must do together. Set in the context of Covid -19, the reality has showed more than ever before how connected we humans are, and how our actions echoes worldwide. We are working very actively at Fagerhult to reduce our carbon footprint and are constantly seeking to develop our effort and our ways of working – to contribute to a more sustainable future.
Thulin continues:
- We have done lifecycle assessments on some of our luminaires, where we have analysed the environmental impact during our products lifetime. We have found that the biggest environmental impact occurs from when the luminaires are in use. This is why the choice of energy – renewable sources, coal or nuclear – makes a great difference in the carbon footprint. Another important issue which will affect the carbon footprint is the energy consumption during usage. It can be decreased very effectively with smart controls, such as sensors in our solutions. Together, these are both simple options, but also possibilities of making conscious choices which can contribute to decrease climate impact significantly.
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Fagerhult is switching LEDs to reduce its climate impact
Fagerhult is implementing a major change with the aim of reducing the climate impact of its luminaires. By switching to the latest LED technology, Fagerhult is able to reduce annual emissions by 2,250 tonnes CO₂e from the products it sells. “A small change in each luminaire that has a huge overall impact,” says Niclas Thulin, Sustainability Manager at Fagerhult. The decision to replace the LED technology in the luminaires is a strategic one and has been made at management level. In practice, this means that the majority of Fagerhult’s Indoor range will be equipped with new LEDs featuring the latest generation of Flip Chip technology. This change will improve efficiency and reduce energy consumption by 5–10 percent, depending on the luminaire model. A small change with a big impact “Successful sustainability efforts entail focusing on the right things. In all, 85 percent of Fagerhult’s total climate impact across the entire value chain – Scopes 1–3, in other words – comes from the energy consumption associated with the use of our products. If we can improve efficiency and reduce electricity consumption from a significant portion of our product range, this will have a major impact,” says Niclas Thulin. Extended lifetime from 50,000 to 100,000 hours, with stable, high-quality light throughout. “It’s always difficult to predict exactly how much a change will save, since there are many factors at play. But by using data from 2025 – how many luminaires we sold and to which markets – and assuming that they are used for an average of 50,000 hours without lighting control, we estimate potential savings of approximately 2,250 tonnes of CO₂e each year*.” That is basically an entire forest: “That’s roughly equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by 90,000 trees in a year**. As a result, this change could have a significant impact on both our own and our customers’ environmental efforts.” A small LED upgrade can reduce emissions by approximately 2,250 tonnes of CO₂e per year – equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed annually by 90,000 trees. Doubling the operating time The change also offers other sustainability benefits. The operating time of the luminaires is doubled from 50,000 hours to 100,000 hours. In the long run, this will entail a reduction in the consumption of resources such as raw materials and other materials. It will also provide financial benefits for our customers, who can make a secure and profitable investment in energy-efficient lighting with a longer working life. With this new technology, all luminaires will also have a Constant Light Output, providing stable, high-quality light throughout the luminaire’s working life. Put simply, good lighting ergonomics at work. How it works A small change that produces big results – what exactly makes the difference from a technical standpoint?“Our approach involves replacing standard LEDs with the latest generation of Flip Chip technology. In simple terms, Flip Chip has a more advanced design in which electrodes and other contact surfaces are positioned in such a way that they do not block or affect the light output. Flip Chip LEDs are simply more energy-efficient and robust,” explains Niclas Thulin.Luminaire models that already feature this type of LED will be upgraded to the latest generation of Flip Chip, as will all models that were previously equipped with standard LEDs. A win-win for everyone The cost of the upgrade will not be passed on to customers in the form of more expensive luminaires but will be financed through the logistical benefits that the change will bring. Sustainability Manager Niclas Thulin regularly meets customers in Fagerhult’s Sustainability Hub —bringing to life how informed lighting choices can deliver both climate and cost savings. “Larger purchase volumes and fewer item numbers mean we can offer these added benefits. Improved energy efficiency, a longer working life and better light quality, lower energy consumption and, above all, a significant contribution to the climate,” says Niclas Thulin.“Here at Fagerhult, we are committed to fulfilling our social responsibility and offering solutions that can address both climate change and the challenges associated with future electricity supplies. In our opinion, our customers shouldn’t have to choose between affordability and sustainability when it’s possible to have both. It's a win-win for everyone.” * Emission factors by country, based primarily on data from the Association of Issuing Bodies (AIB).** Based on average carbon dioxide absorption according to Ecotree.
When material matters – Wrapped adds a new view on sustainable lighting
In a world where every gram of material and every gram of carbon dioxide counts, Wrapped emerges not just as a luminaire – but as a statement. It’s Fagerhult’s most sustainable pendant to date, and it didn’t happen by accident. Every detail, every decision, every material was chosen with intention. Sustainability often starts with a simple question: What is it made of? For Wrapped, the answer is a trio of materials that each carries its own environmental story. Solid board: a familiar friend At Fagerhult, we first met Solid board in 2021 with Multilume Re:Think. But for Wrapped, we’ve taken it further. The material consists of a three-layer construction featuring a 100% recycled core, a renewable FSC-certified top layer, and a thin protective plastic film. All in all, a material that’s 65% recycled – and a 89% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to virgin extruded aluminium. Image gallery: Solid board Wrapped is made of organic Solid board, recycled aluminium and post-consumer recycled plastic. Reimagining plastic Plastic is often a hot topic in sustainability conversations. But not all plastic is created equal. Wrapped uses post-consumer recycled plastic: the kind that has lived a life before, perhaps as a shampoo bottle or food container. Pre-consumer plastic, on the other hand, is different as it never made it to the shelf. Quote: Josefin Carlsson Aluminium with a past Inside Wrapped, two structural components are made from 75% post-consumer recycled aluminium. This material is also part of a circular infrastructure – and may even have been part of a Notor luminaire once. Compared to virgin aluminium, this choice reduces emissions by 64%. Designing with less - built to last However, sustainability isn’t just about what you use – it’s about how much. At just 900 mm, Wrapped is shorter than a conventional 1200 mm pendant. That reduction in size alone cuts the climate impact by 25%, without compromising the luminaire’s lighting performance. Josefin Carlsson compares the climate impact of products in Fagerhult's Experience Centre in Habo. To understand the impact of Wrapped, it helps to look at where we started. In 2021, Notor 65 – made from virgin aluminium – had a climate impact of 34 kg CO₂e. By 2024, with 75% recycled aluminium, that number was reduced to 25 kg CO₂e. Today, Wrapped comes in at just around 12 kg CO₂e. “That’s a third of the original Notor 65, and half of the current version, and a quiet revolution, measured in kilograms of CO₂e,” says Josefin Carlsson. After its long life – estimated at 100,000 hours – Wrapped is ready for an equally sustainable exit. Its design makes it easy to disassemble, with each material being recyclable and prepared for its next chapter in the circular economy.