Rexel and LEDVANCE throw light on the benefits of sustainability through the Eskasoni First Nation LED retrofit project in Canada

The Eskasoni First Nation: a leader in environmental stewardship

Located on Cape Breton Island at the eastern end of the Canadian province of Novia Scotia, Eskasoni First Nation is the most populous Mi’kmaq community in the world and one of the fastest growing Indigenous communities in Canada. Taking its name from the word “We’kwistoqnik” (“where the fir trees are plentiful”), the area is carefully protected by its inhabitants, who remain deeply connected to their ancestral land.

Through the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UNIR), a non-profit organization working toward a sustainable Cape Breton, the 4,500-strong community has launched numerous initiatives focusing on local waterways, forests, native species and other natural resources. They also have a decades-long track record of investing in renewable energy. “We want to do the best we can for the land we live on and leave to our kids,” said Elizabeth Cremo, Director of Education at Eskasoni School Board.

A lighting upgrade with environmental and human benefits

One of the opportunities Eskasoni leaders identified in recent years was to modernize the outdated lighting systems in two schools and a hockey arena/community center. Not only were the aging fluorescent installations consuming significant energy but they tended to flicker, providing inconsistent lighting quality and requiring time-consuming maintenance.

In response, partners Rexel Atlantic and LEDVANCE developed a comprehensive LED retrofit solution, replacing more than 2,000 fixtures with modern LED panels, strips and high bay lights.

The results are striking: at the school alone, energy consumption has been roughly halved, saving 512,000 kwH of electricity annually, or approximately 358 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) emissions. Moreover, the entire installation paid for itself in just 15 months.

“The fact that LEDs consume less energy, are mercury-free and are very long-lasting, which reduces landfill waste, made this upgrade a no-brainer for us,” commented Ms. Cremo. Eskasoni School Board member Jeffrey Paul added, “Our students have been amazed at the difference in brightness, and it’s enhanced their ability to learn.”

Ongoing collaboration

Nathan Salmon, General Manager Market Strategy & Supplier Relations for Nedco and Rexel Atlantic, said “We love opportunities for Rexel and LEDVANCE to collaborate on products and projects that truly make a difference, and we’re thrilled to have worked with the wonderful Eskasoni.”

In recognition of the First Nation’s sustainability leadership and Truth and Reconciliation Day, a commemorative day led by Indigenous communities, the partners have gifted products to Eskasoni and other Native communities in Canada, including through local food banks.

Looking ahead, the two companies are exploring further opportunities to support Indigenous peoples across North America. Nedco and LEDVANCE’s advanced partnership is now the leading supplier to many of the United States and Canada’s 1,200+ First Nations, currently working on more than 20 LED projects for these groups. The partners are also developing funding expertise for a wide range of sustainability projects – from EV charging stations to solar energy, battery storage and microgrids.

At the same time, Nedco and LEDVANCE are continuing to build their relationships with First Nations energy champions through such as energy conservation education and skills training for young people.

The importance of trust, consistency and transparency

It’s been a valuable learning journey. Darven Smetaniuk, a Lighting Specialist at Nedco, said that working with these dedicated caretakers of Mother Earth can be “very humbling,” while acknowledging that companies like Rexel and LEDVANCE had “a lot to bring to the table.”

Understanding First Nations’ specific technical issues, like frequent power outages in remote locations, is a basic prerequisite, but business partners need to learn and respect the communities’ unique cultures, while adapting to their process and priorities. For Ed Evans, National Account Manager at , “Trust grows through transparency, inclusion and respect.”

More generally, David Knight, LEDVANCE’s Environment, Health and Safety Manager, highlighted the increasing importance of consistency for all clients: “Sustainability claims are only credible when the systems behind them are disciplined and repeatable.” He said companies must demonstrate the right governance, risk management, performance measurement and continuous improvement, notably through independent assessments like EcoVadis. (Both LEDVANCE and Rexel have achieved Gold status.)

“And of course, sustainability becomes even more meaningful when it shows up in the products themselves.” At LEDVANCE, energy efficiency, longevity and responsible material choices are built into the design process.

Further, “customers want to see transparency on the entire product life cycle,” with environmental product declarations becoming increasingly important for customers. This demand will increase as new extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws are implemented in North America, holding manufacturers accountable for their products up to end-of-life recycling.

Supporting sustainable communities

For David Knight, a LED lighting retrofit projects generally come with a very straightforward business message: “better efficiency, longer replacement cycles, less waste and a lower total cost of ownership.”

Even so, sustainability can – and should – be a way of life, and we have much to learn from Indigenous groups who have always recognized the importance of protecting valuable natural resources.

In the words of Salim Bhojani, Vice President, Corporate and Supplier Strategy for Rexel Canada “It’s not just about selling a solution, but about how we give back to the community and safeguard the future. It’s about balancing profit with people and the health of the planet.”