The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have released the new en.lighten Toolkit that provides guidance to encourage countries to switch to more efficient lighting and reap the attendant benefits in climate, energy, environment and finance.
9 October 2012: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have released a new en.lighten Toolkit, titled “Achieving the Transition to Energy Efficient Lighting,” which provides guidance for developing countries to transform their markets to more efficient lighting.
The Toolkit provides examples of best practice in areas such as policy development, regulations and standards, and encourages countries, particularly developing countries and emerging market economies, to switch to more efficient lighting and reap the attendant benefits in climate, energy, environment and finance.
It provides guidance on: benefits of efficient lighting as well as the barriers linked to the transition to energy efficient lighting; selecting and implementing energy efficient lighting policies, highlighting best practices from countries which have developed successful regulatory frameworks; and financing the transition to energy efficient lighting, with the Toolkit identifying potential sources of funding to aid in the transition to efficient technologies.
Other guidance considers: ensuring product availability and conformance, including information on compliance schemes and testing capacities that increase the range of complaint products; safeguarding the environment and health, which details production, usage environmentally sound management, and end-of-life treatment of lamps in particular; and communication, awareness and stakeholder engagement practices that encourage participation. [en.Lighten Toolkit: Achieving the Transition to Energy Efficient Lighting]