The thwack of the gavel preceded the thunder of applause as the audience cheered the universal win for people and planet: our future will be lit only by LEDs.  In 2023, representatives from 147 countries agreed to phase out florescent lighting globally and completely by 2027. This will avoid nearly 3 gigatons of CO2 through 2050. The decision was taken at the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP-5) in Geneva.

Since 2020, CLASP’s Clean Lighting Coalition (CLiC) was a campaign created to drive universal access to efficient, safe lighting. CLiC was powered by experts delivering undeniable data about the risks of fluorescent lighting and case studies about the financial and climate emission benefits of efficient LEDs. Integral to the success of the campaign were the advocacy specialists who built the coalition and presented the proof to governments and the media.

The problem with fluorescent lighting

Outdated fluorescents persisting on international markets are toxic and pose a health risk because they contain mercury. They are also inefficient, leading to higher energy bills. LEDs are a safer lighting solution and are twice as efficient – saving money, human and environmental health, and lowering climate emissions.

Global lighting change led by Africa

African policy leaders recognized the feasibility of a global LED transition. In addition to the global climate impacts, ending the production of fluorescents will protect the continent from the toxic, costly and outdated lamps exported to African markets by developed countries unable to sell them domestically.

Armed with sector leading data and technical support from CLiC and partners, Africa region lighting champions led the charge toward the global climate win.  In 2022 and 2023, the Africa Group at the United Nations representing 54 African Member States, proposed amendments to the Minamata Convention on Mercury calling on the international community to say farewell to fluorescents.

“Policymakers in Africa led the charge on this campaign, rooted in deep-seeded concerns about the challenges of toxic lamp disposal. Turns out, this was a concern shared by many countries around the globe,” recalls CLiC campaign lead and CLASP Senior Director Ana Maria Carreño. “African leaders’ efforts to raise awareness about the risks of fluorescents and build consensus on a solution via Minamata led to decisive global action protecting people and planet.”

CLiC: The power of international solidarity

For the last three years, CLiC collaborated with over 300 partners spanning every corner of the globe to make the case for LEDs. From civil society to government to industry, from climate to health to waste management, CLiC coordinated an extensive partner network to spotlight the lasting, positive impacts of a clean lighting transition.

“The world is finally able to say, ‘Farewell to Fluorescents’ due in large part to the hundreds of organizations and policy leaders that came together in pursuit of a safer, healthier future for all via the Clean Lighting Coalition,” observed Elena Lymberidi-Settimo, International co-coordinator of the Zero Mercury Working Group and Policy Manager at the European Environmental Bureau. ”The campaign’s success spotlights how extensive networks of trusted and diverse partners are key for making rapid, meaningful change; and we are happy to have been a part of it.”

A people and planet win that can be replicated

The success of the CLiC campaign provides a glint of optimism in our worsening climate crisis: meaningful and substantial global change IS possible.

“Being directly involved in the Clean Lighting Coalition was one of the greatest experiences of my professional life,” commented Nithi Nesadurai, CLiC team member and director at Climate Action Network Southeast Asia. “CLASP conducted a flawless strategic and tactical campaign which led to success with the decision in November 2023 at the Minamata Convention on Mercury to eliminate fluorescent lamps by 2027. I have gone on record to say this is probably the most successful global environmental campaign, given the speed in which the goal was achieved.”

The full and lasting benefits of a clean lighting future rely on the commitment of governments to follow through and implement the terms of the agreement in a timely manner. The research is clear, and the global community agrees: an LED transition is feasible for every market. Although the CLiC campaign has concluded, our lighting experts at CLASP continue to offer technical support to countries working to advance towards their LED future.

Wesseler: What would it take to close this gap?

Wakoli: Well, we need more investment at all levels of solar appliances. We need to invest in people who can support the sector: students, researchers, manufacturers, distributors, maintenance people. Companies need money to build these appliances, to test business models, to scale. We also need money for governments to conduct awareness campaigns. People need to go into communities to let them know about these appliances and demonstrate how they work.

We also need more cross-disciplinary dialogue. Lifting people out of poverty requires more than electricity or appliances; the solution has to involve people who work in agriculture, environmental advocacy, etc. A practical example is solar water pumps, which make it easier for farmers to generate income. But productivity is not only a function of water; farmers also need good seeds, fertilizer, and good soil. So people outside the energy sector need to be involved as well.

Ultimately, we need to build a market that can exist without external support. Think of Coca-Cola. Soda is the one thing that is ubiquitous in every place I have been, even where people don’t have high incomes. Coca-Cola has figured out how to reach the last mile in countries like Kenya and India. The solar appliance sector needs to get to the same place.

Developing a self-sustaining market for solar appliances will require collaboration across governments, the private sector, and development partners. Governments need to prioritize solar appliances and other energy-efficient solutions as part of their national electrification strategies, and the appliance sector needs to build muscle in distribution and consumer awareness. What’s more, all these actors need to prioritize ensuring that solar appliances support increased productivity, driving up incomes for communities living below the poverty line.

Many critical pieces of this puzzle are currently missing. Right now, a lot of the money in the solar appliance sector comes from European governments as part of their international aid programs. But if we’re thinking about a sustainable solution for more than 50 countries and more than half a billion people, it cannot be contingent on well-wishers alone.

Interview edited and condensed.

Bangladesh’s appliance sector is steadily growing. Energy-efficient appliances offer a proven solution to cut emissions, reduce the strain on the national power grid, lower consumer’s running costs, and improve livelihoods.

Earlier this month, CLASP and the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) agreed to collaborate to introduce mandatory efficiency policies for lighting appliances, such as Light Emitting Diode (LED), in the country. CLASP will support BSTI by assessing and improving LED testing facilities to ensure successful implementation of the new policies.

From 2026, all lighting appliances in Bangladesh will need to meet minimum efficiency policies set by BSTI. This is projected to save consumers $1.8 billion USD and lower CO2 emissions by 22.8 million tons by 2040. CLASP will provide BSTI with technical assistance to achieve these targets.

S M Ferdous Alam, Director General, BSTI, said, “This collaboration with CLASP will help boost our technical capacity and align our standards with global benchmarks. While we have started with efficient lighting products, we intend to include more electronic appliances in this initiative moving forward.”

Asif Hassan, Senior Associate, CLASP, added, “Through collaborations and partnerships, CLASP has become a trusted resource in over 90 countries across five continents. Our global track record and deep technical expertise position us as the go-to support for leaders and doers.”

This collaboration represents a significant step in Bangladesh’s broader goal to promote energy-efficient appliance solutions while reducing energy use and environmental impact. The MoU signing between CLASP and BSTI garnered widespread attention and was covered by around 20 national newspapers in Bengali and English:

1. The Financial Express
2. Dhaka Tribune
3. Daily Sun
4. Jugantor
5. Ajker Patrika
6. Bayanno
   + around 14 other newspapers

ABOUT BSTI: 

The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution is an autonomous government body under the Ministry of Industries, established to control the standards of services, goods, weights and measures, and promote the adoption of the international system of units in Bangladesh.

ABOUT CLASP: 

CLASP is the leading global authority on efficient appliances’ role in fighting climate change and improving people’s lives. CLASP works with policymakers worldwide to combat climate change and drive sustainable development through appliance energy efficiency.