Royal Philips has become the first patron sponsor of a UNESCO-led project to raise worldwide awareness on the importance of light-based technologies in the areas of energy, education, agriculture and health.
The International Year of Light will commence in 2015 and will leverage the recent innovations in lighting for the benefit of the public, Royal Philips announced Thursday.
“As patron sponsor, we bring our wealth of understanding of energy efficient lighting and our knowledge of the physiological and emotional benefits of light. LED technologies and digital lighting have made lighting solutions more energy efficient, controllable and accessible,” said Harry Verhaar, Philips Lighting head of global public and government affairs.
“Light has entered a digital era. It is now connected to networks, devices and apps, enabling people and organizations such as Philips and UNESCO to address the world’s challenges like never before,†Verhaar added.
As a patron sponsor, Royal Philips will participate in various IYL2015 programs such as the “Study after Sunset” project that aims to use portable solar-powered high brightness LED lanterns regions that have no reliable light sources.