Ireland announces plan to ban energy wasting lightbulbs
The Irish Government, announced today what will be in effect the EU's first ban on energy-wasting incandescent
lightbulbs. This simple but historic step comes as governments meet in Bali to discuss next steps on tackling the global
climate emergency.
Over the past year, a number of EU countries have talked about similar bans, but Ireland is the first to act.
The UK has preferred to leave the question to retailers, seeking voluntary agreements to take wasteful incandescent
bulbs off the shelves by 2011. Last month, French President Sarkozy, declared his support for a 2010 national ban but
concrete proposals have not been published yet.
The Dutch Environment Minister Cramer, a former Philips employee, announced initial support for a 2011 incandescent
lightbulb phase-out, but then reversed her opinion. Cramer now supports the manufacturers' call for a prolonged phase
out lasting until 2019.
"Today Ireland has taken a lead in banning energy-wasting lightbulbs, by as early as January 2009," said Greenpeace
Campaigner Eoin Dubsky. "We hope that Ireland's decision will light the way for the EU and the rest of the world."
ENDS