Push to make consumers adopt energy-saving bulbs
The world’s three largest light-bulb makers today said they will push European consumers to switch to energy-saving bulbs in a bid to cut carbon dioxide emissions that are believed to contribute to global warming.
The statement by the European Lamp Companies Federation, whose members include General Electric Co, Siemens AG and Royal Philips Electronics NV, did not give a concrete time frame or target.
They said their strategy would include “public incentives to encourage consumers to purchase more efficient products and setting performance standards that will eliminate the least efficient products from the market”.
They estimated that if all inefficient traditional incandescent bulbs sold in Europe were to be replaced with more efficient bulbs, such as compact fluorescent lamps or CFLs, the continent would need 27 fewer power plants.
CFLs are three times as efficient as traditional bulbs and last much longer.
Despite them saving money in the long run and being more environmentally friendly, consumers have been reluctant to buy them, mostly because they cost more per bulb.
