Lighting for Wellbeing: Actioning the ‘S’ in ESG through Lighting

Lighting for wellbeing has the potential to be a powerful, low-cost tool for actioning the ‘S’ in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategies. 

The Social element of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) is rising in prominence, after tending to play a secondary role to Environmental and Governance factors. This historical lack of focus is partly due to the fact that environmental and governance issues are more clearly defined. 

But a combination of changing employer attitudes and a focus on Social Value in public sector procurement, and emerging regulation in the EU, is prompting firms to increase their focus on social issues. This is placing employee wellbeing as an integral component of progressive businesses’ sustainability strategy. 

The Role of Lighting in Health and Wellbeing 

Because lighting affects our perceptions and moods, it also impacts our health and productivity. Light controls the body’s circadian rhythm; it promotes specific chemical reactions and affects production of the hormone melatonin which plays a role in sleep. Light can positively influence a person’s ability to sustain attention both day and night. 

Numerous research studies and the International WELL Building Institute have documented the link between well-designed lighting systems and occupant comfort and wellbeing. Switching to LED Lighting offers a multitude of occupant wellbeing gains, as well as being a relatively low-cost and accessible way to make energy savings and reduce carbon emissions. 

Lighting in the Workplace 

Lighting in workplaces is often designed to minimise visual discomfort rather than consider the negative physiological and neurobehavioral effects artificial lighting has on humans. There is a difference between natural and artificial light in terms of colour, intensity, and light dynamics. Outside on a sunny day, a person may be exposed to an average of 100,000 lux (a measure of light intensity); indoors and in offices, this is reduced to 500 lux. As people spend 90% of their time indoors, most of the time they are living in biological darkness. Light deficiency can have negative effects, such as fatigue and attention deficit.

LED Systems as a Workplace Wellbeing Solution

Put simply, well-designed LED systems have the potential to replicate sunlight far more closely than traditional fluorescent lamps. Rapidly developing smart technologies also mean LED luminaires can be adjusted in both intensity and colour throughout the day, like the sun. With the right control systems, LED lighting helps to support workers’ natural circadian rhythms - our body clocks - helping to boost people’s energy and performance in the process. In turn, this helps support employers’ social sustainability strategies.

LED Lighting: Meeting Multiple ESG Goals 

LED lighting systems also fulfil multiple environmental and governance goals. Not only do they consume up to 80% less electricity (according to the Energy Saving Trust) than traditional incandescent lamps, but LEDs can be programmed, and include sensors, to reduce wasting energy in vacant rooms. Moreover, some LED luminaires make use of remanufactured components, or are readily repairable, which contributes to lower whole life carbon emissions for a building.

Combined with a controls system, LEDs also offer customised reporting, providing the high-quality data that businesses need to track and monitor energy consumption - all key to good governance.

Lighting is far more than a functional necessity in the workplace - it is a powerful tool for enhancing employee wellbeing, productivity, and satisfaction. Through good lighting design, employers can create healthier workplaces and reduce their impact on the environment, helping to fulfil all elements of an ESG strategy.

• Tamlite offers a FREE lighting survey which explores the potential energy savings your company could make by switching to LED lighting systems. Click here for details.
• As a leading lighting manufacturer committed to supporting better and healthier environments, Tamlite offers a range of lighting solutions designed with wellbeing and the environment in mind. For more information, please visit our website.