CLiC April 2023 Newsletter
Pakistan Prohibits Manufacture, Sale & Export of CFLs
In February 2023, the Pakistan Ministry of Science & Technology announced a law that would prohibit the manufacture, sale & import of incandescent lamps & mercury-containing compact fluorescent lamps with effect from July 1 this year. The policy aligns with the outcome of COP4, where 137 Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury agreed at COP 4 to phase-out compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) by 2025 – a move that 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. Learn more about clean lighting efforts in Asia.
Oregon House Passes Clean Lighting Bill
The state of Oregon in the USA introduced House Bill 2351, a law that, when passed, will phase out the sale of fluorescent lighting by Jan 1, 2024. This move is expected to save Oregon consumers $49 million in electric bills by 2030, increasing to $617 million in electric bill savings by 2050. Environment Oregon state director Celeste Meiffren-Swango testified in support of the bill, accelerating the United States’ transition to clean, energy-efficient LED lighting. Learn more.
Namibia Upgrades Lighting Standards
Namibia published Namibian Standards (NAMS) 109:2022 SADC HT which sets quality and performance standards for lighting products. This standard covers the energy efficiency and functional performance of four main categories of general lighting products: general service lamps, tubular lamps, certain indoor ambient luminaires and outdoor streetlight luminaires.
Nigeria Initiates Strides Towards Lighting Efficiency
Lighting efficiency standards will play a key role in Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan as the country seeks to tackle both energy poverty and climate change. Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) recently hosted a workshop inviting government agencies, private sector and industry, and academia to collaborate on strategies for fluorescent-to-LED replacements, including a roadmap to efficiency policy adoption. Learn more.
UK Lighting MEPS Could Cut Energy Use and Save Money
In January 2023, the government of Great Britain announced proposals that would increase the minimum efficiency standards for lighting and introduce world leading performance standards. The new proposals will come into force in late 2023, with further increased minimum standards introduced from September 2027. The standards will cut energy use and save money for people across Great Britain – potentially cutting household utility bills by up to £2,000 to £3,000 over the lifetime of the bulbs. Learn more.
Transition to LEDs Supports 8 UN SDGs
A global transition to LED lighting is a vital step to achieving a healthier and more sustainable future for all – supporting the success of 8 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The health, economic, and environmental benefits of phasing out fluorescent bulbs are vital in mitigating the dangers of mercury exposure, supporting increased energy access, and more. Check out CLiC’s article to learn how a fluorescent phase out also supports other SDGs.