THE PROBLEM
Lighting from electricity accounts for nearly 20 per cent of global energy consumption and six per cent of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Unless policies are implemented immediately to address this issue, overall energy consumption for lighting will have grown by 60 per cent by 2030 with dramatic consequences for climate change. The phase-out of inefficient incandescent lamps provides one of the most cost-effective way to reduce carbon emissions.THE SOLUTION
The UNEP “en.lighten” initiative supports countries in implementing policies and concrete measures that will accelerate market transformation to efficient lighting technologies. A target date for the global phase-out of all inefficient lighting has been set for the end of 2016.In order to mobilize efforts to make the global transition to efficient lighting a reality, UNEP has convened government representatives and international lighting experts from over 40 organizations representing 30 countries, to provide guidance on the development and implementation of successful national efficient lighting strategies.
THE IMPACTS
The replacement of all inefficient lighting in the world would cut global electricity consumption by five per cent, as much electricity as that consumed by India and Mexico combined. This global effort would yield annual initial cost savings of US$110 billion and would also achieve annual carbon dioxide reductions of 490 metric tons, equivalent to the combined annual carbon dioxide emissions of Italy and Denmark or to the emissions produced by more than 122 million cars.As part of the en.lighten initiative, UNEP has published the findings of 150 country lighting assessments and a new global policy map on efficient lighting. The Country Lighting Assessments highlight the energy, financial and CO2 savings potential of efficient lighting. It also published the global policy map for efficient lighting that provides an overview of efficient lighting policies and successes, specifically in the residential sector.
SUPPORT
en.lighten initiative is a proven example of a successful public private partnership. It was created between UNEP and OSRAM AG, Philips Lighting and the National Lighting Test Centre of China, with the support of the Global Environment Facility.WEBSITE
SUCCESS STORY
Lighting in Chile accounts for 12 per cent of total electricity consumption. The en.lighten initiative is working with Chile to develop a National Efficient Lighting Strategy that will save US$485 million annually in reduced electricity bills; electricity savings equivalent to the output of four mid-sized power plants; and reduced carbon emissions equivalent to taking 300,000 cars off the road. As a result of this partnership, Chile will also establish appropriate legislation and a collection and recycling system for spent lamps that may contain mercury.Source : Re-blogged from http://www.unep.org
