Clean Lighting Coalition
A global coalition to eliminate toxic lighting through the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
Minamata Convention on Mercury agrees to phase out CFLs
Decision on LFLs delayed until COP5
In a major win for environmental and human health, 137 Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury agreed at COP 4 to phase-out compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) by 2025. By accelerating the transition to LED lighting, which is more energy-efficient and non-toxic, the move will avoid 34.8 metric tonnes of mercury pollution, 263 million metric tonnes CO2 emissions, 754 TWh of energy consumption, and $105.6 billion energy bill savings from 2025-2050.
However, parties did not conclude their negotiations on the phase-out dates for linear fluorescent lamps (LFLs).
At COP5 in October 2023, the parties will have an opportunity to continue their negotiations on phase-out dates of LFLs.
With the [COP4] proposed amendment to the Minamata Convention and implementation of national-level regulations to phase-out fluorescent lighting by 2025, countries can accelerate the transition to LED lighting technology to benefit people and the planet.Professor Shuji Nakamura, Nobel Prize for Physics (2014), Inventor of Blue Light LED
REPORT: Technical & Economic Assessment of Mercury-Free Lighting: Global Overview & Regional Profiles
We gathered data on over 1200 light bulbs in 35 countries across Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific to compare price and performance of LEDs and fluorescents. This market research demonstrated that the global market is ready to transition to LEDs.
Benefits of mercury-free lighting
In the past, fluorescent lamps were promoted as an energy-efficient alternative to incandescent and halogen lamps, and the risks associated with mercury in fluorescents were tolerated as a necessary tradeoff. Today, thanks to major advances in light-emitting diode (LED) technology, mercury-free LED lamps can cost-effectively replace fluorescents in virtually all applications. In addition, LEDs last longer than fluorescent lamps, and due to their lower energy consumption, their use results in less mercury and other harmful air pollutants released from coal-burning power plants. Now, the transition to LEDs is easy and provides a range of benefits to people and the planet.
REPORT: Mercury in Fluorescent Lighting: Unnecessary Health Risks & Actionable Solutions
All fluorescent lamps contain mercury, a neurotoxin that can cause harmful and long-term health effects. This report outlines the health risks and environmental impacts of fluorescent lighting highlights the many compelling advantages of transitioning to mercury-free alternatives, and gives actionable solutions to phase out mercury-added lamps in the United States.
