LEADERS OF PROGRESS SPOTLIGHT #1
HELLEN VAN DER PLAS
CEO, Signify NL
For her, progress stems from leadership that dares to act,
takes responsibility, and puts sustainability at the core.
“For me, being a Leader of Progress means leading with purpose"
In your own words, what does it mean to be a Leader of Progress?
“A true Leader of Progress acts with purpose, takes responsibility, and demonstrates that sustainability is not a side effort; it is the very core of business. It’s about acting boldly, even in uncertain times, to prove that performance and sustainability go hand in hand. This commitment to bold action also means leading by example, inspiring others to aim higher, and working with governments to create a fair playing field that rewards frontrunners who innovate and drive real change.”
Embedding Sustainability at the Core
What is the most important change Signify has made to truly embed sustainability into its overall strategy?
“Sustainability is no longer a side initiative at Signify, it is at the heart of our vision and strategy. We’ve embedded it into everything we do, from setting ambitious sustainability targets to tying progress directly to leadership performance metrics. And because transparency is essential, we report on our four key sustainability KPIs every quarter, in press releases, analyst calls, and with all our employees.
This strategic focus also shapes the way we innovate. Circularity is now a driving force behind our business, with 36% of our revenues already circular, powered by 3D printing, new materials, Light-as-a-Service, and re-manufacturing. And we’re not stopping there: through our Brighter Lives, Better World program, we’ve set our sights on being net zero by 2040. A milestone that reflects and reinforces our commitment to six of the UN Sustainable Development Goals."
The Climate Transition Plan
Can you name one specific project where you made real progress possible?
“A milestone for us was launching our Climate Transition Plan in June 2024. This plan has been a turning point, ensuring we are fully CSRD-compliant and externally assured. More importantly, it proves that progress is possible: since 2019, we’ve reduced Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 61% across our entire value chain. Directly supporting SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
The plan turned our ambition into measurable results: We’ve ramped up energy efficiency, deployed ultra-efficient connected LED solutions, transitioned our lease fleet to electric vehicles through EV100, and are rolling out electric and biodiesel trucks in logistics. Together with our shift to 100% renewable electricity in 2020, these steps cut emissions across every part of our operations, and through strong supplier decarbonization, we’re extending that impact across our entire value chain.
The Climate Transition Plan also shows why awareness is such a challenge. Most people don’t realize that lighting alone accounts for 2% of global emissions, the same as aviation. If we ‘LEDify’ every light point worldwide, we could cut that in half. It’s a simple, targeted shift with massive global impact, but first people need to understand the scale of the opportunity.”
Looking 25 years ahead...
“... we will have accelerated the global shift to energy-efficient and circular lighting. Imagine that by 2040, every light point is LED, connected, and circular. We would see massive reductions in CO₂ emissions, energy use, and resource consumption, while creating healthier, more livable environments.
Circularity also means less dependency on raw materials, making societies more resilient and better prepared for the future. That’s the kind of legacy I would be proud of.”
My personal advice to companies struggling to prioritize CSR ...
“Make sustainability inseparable from your strategy and treat it as a driver of value creation. Don’t wait for the perfect plan, start with small, meaningful steps.
Bold goals combined with consistent action build resilience, unlock growth, and deliver real impact. Sustainability is not a checkbox, it is a catalyst for long-term success.”
ABOUT THE
LEADERS OF PROGRESS
Interview Series
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Global Compact. To honor this milestone, we are launching an interview series spotlighting the change makers behind our participating companies in the Netherlands: the Leaders of Progress. By sharing their stories, we hope to inspire bold leadership and spark meaningful change.
JOIN US
Ready to catalyze your own Leader of Progress journey?
We are happy to support you. Check out all the benefits of joining the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative.