LEDs reduce half a billion tons of CO2 emissions in 2017, says IHS Markit

The use of LEDs to illuminate buildings and outdoor spaces reduced the total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of lighting by an estimated 570 million tons in 2017, which is roughly equivalent to shutting down 162 coal-fired power plants, according to IHS Markit. LED lighting uses an average of 40% less power than fluorescents, and 80% less than incandescents, to produce the same amount of light. LED component and lighting companies were responsible for reducing the global carbon footprint by an estimated 1.5% in 2017, and that number is likely to continue to grow as more LEDs are installed around the world.