China To Phase Out Incandescent Light Bulbs

October 3, 2007

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Over the next 10 years, China, which makes 70 percent of the world’s lightbulbs, has agreed to phase out incandescent bulbs in favor of more energy-efficient ones through a program backed by the Global Environment Facility, Reuters reports.

The switch could mitigate 500 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, equal to about half the climate-warming emissions of Germany.

China is the first developing country to agree to join this program, said Monique Barbut, chief executive officer of the Global Environment Facility. The Facility will invest about $25 million for the Chinese program.

Other countries including Mexico, Indonesia, Venezuela and Costa Rica may join in future, Barbut said.

With a current trust fund of about $3.2 billion, the Washington, D.C.-based Global Environment Facility is the financial arm for international intergovernmental agreements on biodiversity, climate change and persistent organic pollutants, according to Reuters.
In March, EU leaders decided that The European Union’s 490 million citizens will have to use energy-efficient lighting by the end of the decade.

Australia has announced it would phase out incandescents and Greenpeace has asked India to follow Australia’s lead.

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Reader Comments

This an excellent notice but the prices for the new savings lapms must to be cheaper due the adquisition level of the poor people don’t you think ?

Mr. Masaru Yamasaki | October 4th, 2007

Once again, the media, activists, and masses drive an absolute decision that doesn’t support all needs. I use CFLs when appropriate. But there are cases when incandescents are more appropriate and more energy efficient. Example, incandescents can be run at lower levels when lesser light levels are needed.

Johnson Bledge | October 22nd, 2007

There is no getting around the fact that a room is not adequately lit when you change to CFLs. This is especially important as all humans age and need more light to be able to do normal human tasks — such as read, sew, etc. In Industrial applications, CFLs in inspection areas will be a disaster

Marshall Bullard | October 22nd, 2007

Perhaps CFLs aren’t the best choice for all applications currently, but it’s reasonable to expect that the technology will continue to evolve. (eg. I see an ad at the top of this page for dimmable CFLs, created with a “new technology”). At the point that we must use CFLs to satisfy all our lighting needs, someone will almost certainly find a way to make them brighter, dimmer, bigger, smaller- whatever is required.

Catherine Caum | October 22nd, 2007

What plans are being made for the safe disposal of the CFLs? I hear that they contain small amounts of mercury. That could become a real problem with so many bulbs in use.

Luci Shaw | October 22nd, 2007

In the US, 48 Tons of Mercury are emitted from coal burning power plants every year (Wikipedia). This is the equivalent to the mercury in 8,708,973,600 CFL light bulbs (GE). In the US, that is 29 CFLs per person. Most CFL have a lifespan with a life span of 5 years or more. If we switch to CFL using 75% less energy than conventional light bulbs, we could greatly reduce the amount of mercury entering the environment.

For round numbers, imagine 48 Tons x 5 years x 0.75 = 180 Tons of mercury!

Safe disposal is a concern and most of the mercury can be recycled from the CFLs with the right programs. Call your congressman and support the appropriate legislation for regulation.

I find that CFLs tend to be too bright. If they have any downside, they take a minute to warm up. The lamps are cheaper in the long run but it certainly would help if they cheaper at the store.

Andy | October 24th, 2007