The electricity used for indoor lighting accounts for 10% of the total electric energy required for buildings. In many facilities, this percentage is even higher:

Example 1
Factory with 1,100 workers: illumination accounts for approximately 20% of the total energy consumption.

Example 2
Department stores: illumination accounts for approximately 30% of the total energy consumption.

Example 3
400 m² office space: illumination accounts for approximately 40% of the total energy consumption.

The electricity generation contributes to the pollution of the environment, as, in the majority of cases, electricity utilizes fossil fuels. Even relatively "clean" nuclear power is responsible for CO₂ emissions.
With the start in the year 2006, the European Parliament supports energy conservation by promoting the use of Electronic Control Gear (ECG) and prohibiting Conservative Contral Gear (CCG).
Approximately 26,000 GWh of electricity could be saved in Western Europe by replacing all CCG with ECG. This incredible amount of energy is equivalent to saving 8.8 million tons of coal which would reduce CO₂ emissions by an impressive 36 million tons.
More dramatic savings could be achieved by replacing all CCGs with dimmable ECGs and daylight controls. An energy saving potential of 40,000 GWh in Western Europe is equivalent to saving 13,2 million tons of coal or reducing CO₂ emissions by 40 million tons.