Greenpeace has been campaigning for the phase-out of the
incandescent bulb, and acknowledged that the "Bachat Lamp
Yojana"[1] programme to replace
400 million incandescent bulbs with CFLs by 2012 is a good first
step. If implemented correctly, the programme will save 10,000 MW
of electricity and about 55 million tonnes of CO2 each year. This would have an
effect equivalent to closing down four dirty coal-fired power
stations. If the whole world followed India's lead and eliminated
wasted electricity from lighting, the cumulative effect would be
equivalent to shutting down around 220 coal-fired power
plants.[2]
"This programme shows how real emission cuts in developing
countries can occur with financial support of the developed world,"
said Srinivas Krishnaswamy, Political and Business advisor to
Greenpeace India. He added "India must see the current climate
crisis as an opportunity to develop along a sustainable pathway,
rather than build energy infrastructure that is unsustainable for
the planet and the national economy".
In India, lighting makes up 20% of all residential electricity
consumption - a huge waste of energy. Considering the massive peak
power shortage the country faces, energy efficiency is smartest way
to reduce demand and reduce CO2
emissions.
In this case, the price reduction for CFL technology is being
financed by carbon credits through the Clean Development Mechanism.
This "financial flow" is a way to take carbon out of the equation
for development, under strict trading rules.
The world's best chance to prevent runaway climate change is at
the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen in December. There,
industrialised countries must agree to fund around USD140 billion a
year to help economies in the developing world cut emissions,
protect tropical forests and adapt to the effects of climate
change. However developing countries too must implement tough
domestic targets to ensure that global greenhouse gas emissions
reach a peak by 2015, and start declining rapidly thereafter,
reaching zero by 2050.
The challenge for India is to make sure the lightbulbs programme
is monitored and delivers on its targets and to follow up with the
other steps in the Action Plan. "We hope that this is a sign that
the Indian government is actually serious about their National
Action Plan on Climate Change and it is more than a list of good
ideas without the political will to follow through on it." Srinivas
Krishnaswamy concluded.
Other contacts: Srinivas Krishnaswamy, Greenpeace India Political and Business Advisor
+91 99587 98828
Vinuta Gopal, Greenpeace India Climate and Energy Campaigner
+91 98455 35418
Preethi Herman, Greenpeace India Media Officer
+91 9901488482
Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 20 718 2470
Greenpeace International photo desk, + 44 7801 615 889
Notes: [1] The Bachat Lamp Yojana uses the Clean Development Mechanism to bring down the price of CFLs (from Rs 80 - 100) to Rs 15, the price of an incandescent bulb. Under the scheme only 60 watt and 100 watt incandescent lamps will be replaced with 11-15 watt and 20-25 watt CFLs respectively. The government is developing a programme to make sure it can cover all of India.
[2] Based on calculations using an 'average' plant of 750 MW.