There are several ways of Lighting the Future

The Green Paper Lighting the Future: Accelerating the Deployment of Innovative Lighting proposes to launch a number of new policy initiatives and a public debate in Europe with all interested parties for accelerating the wide deployment of innovative high-quality lighting solutions, which are based on light emitting diode (LED) and organic LED technologies and commonly referred to as 'Solid State Lighting' (SSL). The Green Paper addresses both the demand and supply side.

Green Paper proposed

Public Consultation (European Commision)

Comments on EC Green Paper - Full Text
(Cielo Buio / Starlight Initiative / ISTIL)

French version

Spanish version

German version

Summary of the suggestions to the Green Paper

1. Consider that the first step toward efficiency is to limit the unnecessary light.
2. Push for the adoption of standard rules that allow a substantial reduction of the levels currently used in outdoor lighting, guiding the market of SSL technologies.
3. Carry out research work to see if and how light lowers crime and/or traffic accidents.
4. Weight the benefits (eventually found in point c) against the benefits of different actions having the same cost (e.g.: more control by police).
5. Consider the health problems of using light at night, especially with blue content and so limit the blue content of light used at night indoor and outdoor.
6. Properly define the concept of eco-friendly technologies, which besides energy efficiency should take into account the control of light pollution by giving the following minimum prescriptions

• do not allow luminaires to send any light directly at and above the horizontal;
• do not waste downward light flux outside the area to be lit;
• avoid over lighting;- shut off lights when the area is not in use;- aim for zero growth of the total installed flux, then a decrease (like it is happening to all other pollutants);
• strongly limit the short wavelength ‘blue’ light.

7. Warn that specific light frequencies with a high blue component affect many wildlife species and alter ecosystem function in urban environments and beyond them.

Full Text - Brochure