Signify, formerly Philips Lighting, is a global leader in lighting solutions, operating in over 70 countries with a commitment to innovation and sustainability. With ambitious decarbonization goals, Signify has set the benchmark for the lighting industry’s transition to net zero.
The lighting industry plays a pivotal role in global sustainability efforts due to its significant impact on energy use and emissions. Lighting accounts for approximately 12% of global electricity consumption and contributes around 5% of total carbon emissions worldwide. These figures highlight the industry’s substantial energy footprint—and its equally large potential for positive change. By accelerating the transition to energy-efficient lighting technologies, implementing smart systems, and embracing circular design principles, the lighting sector can drive major reductions in emissions and energy demand, making it a key lever in the global push toward a low-carbon future.
Challenges
As a global manufacturing company, Signify faced a critical challenge: accessing reliable, granular data across its complex, multi-tier supply chain.
The complexity of Scope 3 emissions—indirect emissions from suppliers, logistics, and purchased goods—meant Signify lacked the transparency needed to make confident, data-driven decisions. Without visibility into the full emissions landscape, it was difficult to identify high-impact areas or collaborate effectively with suppliers.
"Certainly one of the main challenges is to get the right data, the right granularity of the data, so that we are able to identify those spots and work with our supplier to reduce the carbon emissions. We have clear targets related to Scope 1,2 & 3 emissions—we want to reduce by 40% by 2030 and by 90% by 2040.”
Solution
To overcome its data challenges and accelerate decarbonization, Signify partnered with Carbmee to establish a robust and scalable data foundation for Scope 3 emissions. The Carbmee platform enabled the integration of critical datasets — including transactional data, bills of materials, and supplier-provided information — into a centralized system. This created a reliable and granular emissions baseline, moving Signify from estimation-based reporting to data-backed emissions management.
With this foundation in place, Signify was able to systematically refine its baseline using more accurate and supplier-specific data. This improved transparency allowed the company to link emissions data directly to key decision points across sourcing and R&D. By embedding emissions intelligence into operational processes, Signify began making targeted, high-impact decisions that aligned with its decarbonization goals.
- Established a scalable data foundation for Scope 3 emissions by integrating key datasets into a centralized system.
- Transitioned from estimation-based reporting to accurate, data-backed emissions management.
- Refined emissions baseline with supplier-specific data to improve transparency and precision.
- Embedded emissions insights into operations, enabling smarter, high-impact decisions in sourcing and R&D.
Outlook
With Carbmee’s platform in place, Signify can now map its emissions at a highly detailed level — down to individual SKUs, business units, and suppliers. This granularity enables the company to take targeted action and make measurable progress toward its climate objectives.
By aligning emissions data with operational decision-making, Signify has enhanced its ability to drive reductions across the value chain. The company now applies the same level of precision to its emissions calculations as it does to financial reporting, ensuring that sustainability efforts are grounded in accurate, actionable data.
This improved visibility and accuracy provide a strong foundation for achieving its Scope 1, 2 & 3 reduction targets: a 40% cut by 2030 and a 90% cut by 2040. As part of this journey, Signify is evolving its procurement strategy—aiming not only to select suppliers based on cost and quality, but also on their carbon footprint. This shift reflects a broader integration of sustainability into core business practices, positioning Signify as a leader in responsible supply chain transformation.
“We have clear targets related to Scope 1,2 & 3 emissions. We want to reduce by 40% by 2030 and by 90% by 2040.”
Why Signify Chose carbmee
Signify selected Carbmee as its decarbonization partner due to the platform’s ability to manage complex data environments across procurement, R&D, and operations. The solution offered a structured way to consolidate and harmonize emissions data from a variety of sources, making it easier to build a reliable baseline and monitor progress over time.
Beyond data management, Carbmee provided actionable insights by connecting emissions data directly to operational decisions. This allowed Signify to embed sustainability into core business functions—not just in reporting, but also in driving strategic initiatives across the supply chain.
Another key factor was Carbmee’s ability to scale. From establishing the initial baseline to enabling deeper engagement with suppliers, the platform supports continuous improvement. This end-to-end capability positioned Carbmee as the right partner for achieving Signify’s long-term Scope 3 decarbonization goals.
Signify was also drawn to carbmee’s energetic team, dynamic way of working, and its bold mission to decarbonize the global economy.
“These values resonate deeply with Signify’s sustainability ambitions—and with my personal belief that building a sustainable business isn’t optional, but a responsibility every company must take seriously.” - Arnold Chaterlain
