The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) en.lighten Initative and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Centre for Energy today launched a programme to promote the production, sale and use of energy-efficient lighting equipment in ASEAN countries to reduce fast-growing electricity consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The initiative builds on the ASEAN Standards Harmonization Initiative for Energy Efficiency (ASEAN SHINE), a regional programme to advance the penetration of energy efficient equipment in ASEAN countries, which initially focused on air-conditioners.
The ASEAN SHINE Lighting Chapter was announced at the 2-3 February 2016 ASEAN SHINE meeting organised in Bangkok by the UNEP en.lighten Initiative, the UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, the ASEAN Centre for Energy and the International Copper Association.
Funded by the European Union, the ASEAN SHINE Lighting Chapter will be implemented by the UNEP en.lighten Initiative. It will help harmonize minimum energy performance standards and relevant test standards for lighting products among ASEAN member states, as well as establish robust and cooperative monitoring, verification and enforcement schemes to ensure compliance with the established standards. In addition, it will contribute to greater regional market integration and removal of trade barriers.
“This initiative offers a unique opportunity for ASEAN countries to significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This will support national efforts to not only meet climate change obligations but also the 2030 sustainable development agenda goal to improve energy efficiency,” said Isabelle Louis, Deputy Regional Director, UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.
In 2014, electricity for lighting represented approximately 16.1 per cent of total electricity consumption in the ASEAN region, while electricity consumption was approximately 118 TWh. Estimates by UNEP and the Global Environment Facility show that market transformation to energy efficient lighting in ASEAN, would result in annual savings of 35Twh of electricity, more than US$3.5 billion in consumer savings in electricity bills and avoidance of over 20 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Satwant Kaur, Regional Information Officer, UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Tel: + (66 2) 2882127; Mobile: +(66 8) 17001376, Email: satwant.kaur@unep.org
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