Britain follows Australia in light globe switch off
From correspondents in London
September 28, 2007 06:55pm
Article from: AAP
BRITAIN is to follow Australia's lead and phase out high-energy lightbulbs in an attempt to cut millions of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
The Howard Government announced in February that Australia would become the first country in the world to ban the sale of incandescent light bulbs from 2009.
Britain will begin pulling the plug on conventional light bulbs by introducing a phase out plan next year.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said Britain would aim to replace all traditional light bulbs with energy efficient globes within four years, saving five million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
"The major retailers and energy suppliers are now leading a voluntary initiative, with the strong support of the lighting industry and the Government, to help phase out traditional high-energy light bulbs," he said.
"We need to turn them off for good."
Mr Benn flagged that he also wanted a phasing out of inefficient household appliances.
"There are many more energy hungry gadgets on sale in shops that waste too much energy," he said.
"That's why I want to see today's initiative widened.
"I want to see more retailers, manufacturers and service providers taking action to phase out the least efficient products from their ranges, for example, certain set top boxes and TVs, and so help offer greener choices to their customers."
Under the phase-out plan, British retailers will stop stocking the brightest 150-watt bulbs from January.
They will then stop selling 100-watt bulbs by January 2009 and then scrap 60-watt bulbs by January 2010.
Other standard incandescent light bulbs, such as 40-watt light globes as well as candle and golf-ball lamps, will be removed from shelves by December 2011.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22499123-23109,00.html
