27 September 2011: The World Bank is funding the Sustainable Lighting Program, which aims to replace 47.2 million bulbs by the end of 2012 in Mexico, and to achieve a reduction of up to 2.78 million tons of carbon dioxide every year.
The programme, implemented by the Electric Power Savings Trust Fund (FIDE), aims to reach 11 million Mexican families to replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps. Energy-saving bulbs last ten times longer than traditional ones and are at least 70% more efficient, helping families save money, and reducing both energy demand and carbon dioxide emissions. To date, 1.4 million bulbs have been replaced, and the Sustainable Lighting Program expects to replace an additional 45.8 million replacements by the end of 2012. [World Bank Press Release]