15 May 2015: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) hosted the first joint Project Steering Committee meeting of the en.lighten and United for Efficiency (U4E) initiatives, developing strategic guidance for coordinated action by the two initiatives. U4E and en.lighten are the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative’s Accelerators on appliances and lighting, respectively, and are working together to assist countries in leapfrogging to high-efficiency products.

Held on 15 May 2015, in Washington DC, US, the meeting reviewed progress by the two initiatives, highlighting en.lighten’s work to develop and implement regional efficient lighting strategies and U4E’s mobilization of both country and private sector commitments to a transition to energy efficient products. The Committee discussed how the initiatives, by joining forces, can spur government action that will phase out low-efficiency products in their markets.

Considering the way forward, participants underscored the efficacy of using regional approaches and broadening the scope of appliances encompassed by the initiatives. U4E is applying the en.lighten model to residential refrigerators, room air conditioners, electric motors, distribution transformers and information and communication technologies. Furthermore, en.lighten will be focusing on accelerating light-emitting diode (LED) deployment, including in commercial, industrial and outdoor applications.

The meeting highlighted the importance of government commitments and continuing to increase the scope of products for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission mitigation. With the upcoming 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the UNFCCC taking place in December 2015, countries are putting forward intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs), and the meeting pointed out that en.lighten commitments represent important climate actions.

Other organizations attending the meeting included the UN Development Programme (UNDP), SE4ALL, World Bank, International Copper Association (ICA), CLASP, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Southern African Power Pool, South Africa’s national utility Eskom and lighting, appliances and equipment manufacturers, such as Philips, OSRAM, ABB, Arcelik, BSH Group, Electrolux and MABE. [GEF Press Release] [UNEP Energy Press Release, 27/5/2015] [en.lighten Website]