Philips Lighting has announced the purchase of traceable renewable electricity in the Gulf region.

It is the first major international company to secure its green energy usage in the Gulf using the International REC Standard (I-REC).

It is a global standard for documenting renewable energy consumption used in regions where no similar documentation scheme exists and meets the robust criteria from RE100 – an initiative for businesses committed to 100% green power.

The standard proves for each 1MWh pf power used, 1MWh of green energy has been produced and delivered associated environmental benefits.

Philips Lighting worked with consultancy ECOHZ to buy power from Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (DEWA) Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai.

Nicola Kimm, Head of Sustainability, Environment, Health & Safety at Philips Lighting said: “Through the sales of our energy efficient lighting, we contribute to reducing lighting’s share of all global electricity consumption from the current 15% level to 8% in 2030. However, this alone is not enough.

“To keep our planet on course with the Paris agreement to mitigate climate change, we must fully switch to renewable sources of electricity.”

The renewable energy certificates will be issued by the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence that has recently been appointed as the local I-REC issuer for the UAE.