Feature story - 6 December, 2007
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.
Greenpeace flies a 10m x 4m banner from the Spire of Dublin.
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."
7 steps
Take the 7 steps - help outlaw energy wasting lightbulbs in more countries.
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