A lighting device includes: a light source configured for emitting a primary light; a light conversion unit formed by or including: a light conversion element including a front side and a rear side, wherein the light conversion element is configured for being illuminated by the primary light on the front side and for emitting a secondary light with an altered wavelength compared to the primary light on the front side, wherein the light conversion element includes a first phase including a light-converting ceramic material and a second phase including a further ceramic material, the second phase having a higher thermal conductivity than the first phase, and wherein the light conversion element includes a plurality of pores.