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Restoring the night: What France can teach us about lighting, policy and urban nightscapes
Words by: WE-EF
At this year’s Australasian Dark Sky Alliance’s Valuing Darkness Symposium, WE-EF LIGHTING was proud to support both knowledge-sharing and connection — but it was the message, not the wine and cheese, that truly resonated.
A standout moment was the presentation by Jean-Cecil Gaillot, WE-EF’s Global Lighting Solutions Department Manager and Lecturer in Lighting Design at the University of Lyon, who has been with WE-EF for more than 25 years. His session, “International Dark Sky Policies and the Benefits for Urban Night Environments,” brought forward global insight and practical examples that challenge the way we think about lighting in our cities.
France’s bold steps toward night sky preservation
Jean-Cecil’s presentation focused on France’s groundbreaking national decree which limits the use of artificial light in urban areas. These policies:
– Set strict limits on brightness and colour temperatures
– Implement “black corridors” to reduce disorientation in migratory birds
– Aim to conserve biodiversity and restore natural nightscapes
He explored the journey of how stakeholders – from manufacturers and councils to community groups – have responded. Have the new standards been welcomed? Has there been resistance? What kind of measurable environmental improvements have been recorded?
Real-world data, case studies, and lessons learned were shared – offering both inspiration and practical insights for those looking to drive change locally.
WE-EF’s role as a longtime advocate
In 2018, WE-EF Australia /New Zealand became the first lighting manufacturer to have products approved under the ADSA guidelines. Since then, we’ve continued to invest in night-sensitive solutions across Australia and New Zealand — including research partnerships, council education, and the development of products that protect wildlife and reduce light pollution.
As part of our support for this event, we also hosted “Wine, Cheese and Conservation” – an afternoon networking session for delegates to connect and reflect on the day’s learnings.
Join our follow-up webinar
To continue this important conversation, WE-EF is hosting a free online workshop with Jean-Cecil on 15 April 2025, open to our Sales Partner network and their interested specifiers.
He’ll go deeper into international best practice in night sensitive lighting and discuss how these policies might translate into the Australian and New Zealand context, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.
🗓️ Date: Tuesday 15 April 2025
🕒 Time: 3:00 PM AEDT
📍 Location: Online
👉 Register here
At WE-EF, we believe that lighting can do more than illuminate. It can heal, restore and protect — and the path forward is one we must walk together, guided by science, design and purpose.
