The energy used in the operation of buildings contributes to almost 40% of greenhouse gas emissions. Electric lighting accounts for 20-25% of this overall energy use; as such, best-practice lighting strategies and technologies represent one of most effective near-term opportunities for energy efficiency and greenhouse gas mitigation. However, the uptake of new technologies and design practices has typically been slow, principally due to knowledge and experience barriers within the lighting design industry. This APEC Expert Group on Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EGEEC) workgroup aims to understand how to effectively translate lighting design research into practice with a university research center model based on input from regional experts and stakeholders – government agencies, utilities, lighting industry and professional associations. It aims to understand how to effectively translate lighting design research into practice with a university research center model based on input from regional experts and stakeholders – government agencies, utilities, lighting industry and professional associations.

The full report presents the outcome from presentations and discussions about i) the opportunities of lighting design research for sustainable development; ii) research focus areas in APEC region; iii) recommendations on a model for effective lighting design center as well as a framework on next steps for the development of national lighting design centers in interested APEC economies.