A system and method providing correlated color temperature-tunable (CCT-tunable) white light using a laser diode(s) in conjunction with a III-Nitride nanowires-based LED element grown on a semi-transparent substrate. The tunability spans across yellow, amber, and red wavelengths and can be implemented by current injection. The current-dependent broad wavelength tunability enables control of wide range of CCT values (intensity, peak wavelength, and spectral coverage). The broad coverage in the yellow-amber-red color regime mimics that of a passive yellow phosphor, while the injection of current into the LED element defines an active phosphor element. The semi-transparent active phosphor element allows direct transmission of light from a laser diode(s) for achieving extreme wide tunability of CCT.