Access to reliable, efficient lighting creates a better, brighter future for communities as learning, work, sport, and quality time together is not limited by the sun’s schedule. The universal need for quality, affordable lighting parallels the global market’s rapid transition to all light emitting diode (LED) lightbulbs. Today CLASP marks International Day of Light, by having our efficiency experts provide tips to select the best LED for your home or place of work.

1. Prioritize efficiency

LEDs are the most efficient lighting technology available – 40% more efficient than fluorescent lamps. Efficiency is measured in lumen per watt (lm/W), or amount of light per amount of electricity used. The more light the bulb can produce per watt, the more efficient the LED.

For the biggest cost savings and positive environmental impact, prioritize bulbs with an efficiency of 90 lm/W or above. To see how a particular LED’s efficiency stacks up to the market, look for a national energy label on the package.

2. Consider cost-effectiveness and lifespan

Higher efficiency means lower operating costs over the lifetime of the lamp – so a higher price for an efficient bulb is offset by the money saved over the LED’s use. CLASP’s research indicates that the payback period for LEDs (i.e., when the energy bill savings outweigh the upfront purchase cost of the bulb) is often only a few months, and in some cases it is instantaneous.

LEDs have a long lifespan – up to 2-3 times longer than fluorescent options. By investing in higher quality LEDs for your home or work, you can reduce the number of replacements bulbs needed in the future.

3. Select the right LED to replace obsolete lighting

Making the transition to LEDs from obsolete lighting technologies like fluorescents or incandescent should be smooth – an LED drop-in replacement that fits into your existing socket is available for the vast majority of uses. In the rare case a drop-in LED will not work for you, talk to your local electrician – there are simple, inexpensive solutions on hand.

4. Pick your favorite color

LED lightbulbs come in a wide array of color temperatures, hues, and brightness levels. Look for details on the packaging about the lamp’s aesthetic to pick the best option for your home or work. An added bonus in some markets: unlike their fluorescent counterparts, many LEDs now can change colors and sync to your WiFi system for control via your smartphone.

Kigali, Rwanda – At the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) Forum in Kigali, Rwanda this week, CLASP was announced as the new host and manager of the Energy Access Institutions Facility, an initiative that seeks to provide core funding and technical assistance to organizations who accelerate access to life-changing, off-grid energy to millions of people around the world.

Over the next five years, the Facility’s vision is to deploy $25 million USD to a portfolio of five to ten impactful organizations, known as “market institutions”, that are working to grow the distributed renewable energy (DRE) sector. DRE systems are stand-alone, off-grid energy solutions that generate and distribute renewable energy without needing to be connected to the main grid. Expanding this sector has the potential to transform lives and livelihoods by increasing incomes, empowering women, enhancing educational opportunities, improving healthcare, reducing food waste, avoiding greenhouse gas emissions, and much more.

The Facility’s growing portfolio of organizations is expected to have reach across several countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, potentially increasing the delivery of renewable off-grid energy to millions of people from low-income communities.

Market institutions that support the following will be eligible to apply to the Energy Access Institutions Facility:

• Clean cooking solutions
• Energy efficient appliances and equipment
• Productive Use of Energy
• Standalone solar systems
• Micro grids and mini grids

This Facility is a result of multiple years of funding and commitment by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the UK charity Shell Foundation (SF), and two years of incubation and development managed by Open Capital. FCDO and SF provided $5.5 million USD in seed funding to the first tranche of market institutions to prove this concept.

In the Facility’s first year, five market institutions, including the Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA), Ethiopia Energy Market Accelerator (EMA), GOGLA, Nigeria Off-Grid Market Accelerator Programme (NOMAP), and the Uganda Off-Grid Market Accelerator, were the first grantees.

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has recently announced its commitment to providing approximately $4.5 million USD in funding for this next phase led by CLASP. This support will enable the Facility to disperse further funding to another round of market institutions and accelerate the Facility’s growth. In the coming months, CLASP is committed to securing additional funding from donors who have already indicated an interest in this impactful initiative.

Anders Arvidson, Senior Advisor and Team Lead in Sida’s Power Africa Team, noted:

“The Facility’s vision of accelerating access to clean energy for the world’s lowest-income people strategically aligns with Sida’s mission to reduce poverty around the world by partnering with the private sector in support of market development and mobilization of capital. We are proud to offer our support to take this initiative to its next phase, and to accelerate necessary growth in the clean energy sector. We look forward to working closely with CLASP to realize this vision.”

CLASP was selected because of the organization’s 25-year tenure as the leading, global organization advancing affordable, efficient appliances to mitigate climate change and help communities adapt and thrive. CLASP has proven expertise managing similar programs, including serving as the co-secretariat of the Efficiency for Access Coalition, an initiative supporting off-grid appliance market research and innovation; and as Operating Agent for the Super-efficient Appliance and Equipment Deployment (SEAD), a $20 million initiative under the Clean Energy Ministerial. CLASP also manages the Productive Use Financing Facility, a $6.5 million financing facility to catalyze the uptake of productive use appliances across East, West and Central Africa.

Christine Egan, CEO at CLASP, reflected on how the Energy Access Institutions Facility would push for real impact in the sector:

“The Energy Access Institutions Facility is positioned to impact and enhance millions of lives at a critical moment for sustainable development and global climate ambition. Exponentially increasing the number of people using off-grid, renewable energy and appliances will be a livelihood game changer in regions where access to traditional grid electricity is insufficient or non-existent. CLASP is committed to serving the sector and partnering with essential energy access institutions to deliver and scale collective impacts.”

In the coming months, CLASP will communicate opportunities for involvement and next steps for market-enabling organizations who are interested in participating, as well as donors who are interested in further supporting the Facility.

About the Facility

The Energy Access Institutions Facility is a joint donor initiative to support and strengthen the institutions that are essential for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7, universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy by 2030. The Facility is supported by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) and UK aid via the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform.

Learn more about the Facility.

About CLASP

CLASP is the leading global authority with 25 years’ expertise on how appliance efficiency drives climate mitigation, adaptation and improves the lives and livelihoods of people. An international nonprofit with offices on four continents, CLASP collaborates with policymakers, appliance manufacturers, and leading experts to deliver sound policy recommendations, innovative tools, groundbreaking research, and clear pathways to a more sustainable world for people and the planet.

Opportunity for change

Accounting for a whopping 70% of the nation’s electricity usage, Indonesia’s building sector is poised for change. Recognizing the opportunity to enhance energy efficiency in buildings, CLASP has spearheaded initiatives to promote more sustainable building practices, particularly with energy-efficient cooling systems.

CLASP supported the establishment of the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for lighting and air conditioning systems. This regulation encourages building owners to adopt energy-efficient cooling solutions, reducing demand on the national power grid, and lowering energy costs for consumers. Energy audits recommended by CLASP also identify inefficiencies and allow for their rectification.

Efficiency creates energy savings and emission reduction

At a recent National Seminar on Decarbonization of the Building Sector, CLASP, ASHRAE Indonesia Chapter and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR), brought together industry experts to highlight the critical role of energy-efficient equipment, especially chillers. Chillers account for up to 60% of a building’s energy use, making it a significant opportunity for energy savings and emissions reduction.

Sripeni Inten Cahyani, expert to the MEMR Minister, noted that by embracing energy-efficient appliances and adhering to Minimum Energy Performance Standards (SKEM or MEPS), Indonesia aims to achieve a substantial 83.8 million tons reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030.

Efficiency also yields economic benefits

Sripeni noted potential annual savings of approximately IDR 1.9 trillion (USD 121 million) through the implementation of energy management practices, equivalent to 111,600 tons of oil saved per year.

CLASP’s advocacy and collaborative efforts support the drive for sustainable development in Indonesia’s building sector. By promoting energy-efficient cooling solutions and supporting the implementation of improved standards, CLASP contributes to a more sustainable, more resilient future for Indonesia and the world’s climate.

Image credits: CNA/Danang Wisanggeni

On 28 November 2023, CLASP hosted a virtual launch of the landmark publication ‘Net Zero Heroes: Scaling Efficient Appliances for Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation & Resilience’. The event showcased how ten essential appliances, the #NetZeroHeroes, are crucial for achieving global climate objectives and advancing climate adaptation and resilience efforts.

Watch the recording to hear inspirational case studies and powerful data that prove the effectiveness and scalability of affordable, efficient appliance solutions. The Net Zero Heroes flagship report is launched ahead of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference Conference (COP28) to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (30 November-12 December 2023).

Event speakers

Our event featured a diverse group of experts who shared their insights and experiences in the world of energy efficiency, climate action, and appliance innovation.

• Axum Teferra – Clean Cooling Collaborative
• Christine Eibs Singer – Shine Campaign
• Christine Egan – CLASP
• Duncan Gibb – Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP)
• Oliver-Bealby Wright – Consumers International

The event was moderated by Joyita Mukherjee, a CLASP board member and expert in international development and blended finance.

Follow our #NetZeroHeroes digital campaign on social media.

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – This week at the Minamata Convention on Mercury Fifth Conference of Parties (COP5), delegates from 147 countries agreed to phase out florescent lighting globally and completely by 2027.

Fluorescent lamps contain mercury, a potent neurotoxin.

The decision will accelerate global adoption of LEDs by effectively putting an end to the fluorescent lighting industry, with the limited exception of special uses like some transport applications. LEDs are on average 40% more energy efficient than fluorescents.

COP5 decisions primarily addressed linear fluorescent lamps (LFLs), the largest contributor to lighting-based mercury pollution in the world, ubiquitously found in offices, stores, and other commercial settings and institutions. LFLs are also a major source of energy-related CO2 emissions. The decisions close the loop on continued efforts to stop the manufacture, export and import of mercury in lighting worldwide.

Global markets are going all LED.

The benefits of a full transition to LEDs by 2027 are massive. The appliance efficiency expert group CLASP estimates the move will have the following benefits (cumulatively from the phase out dates to 2050):

• Avoid 2.7 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions
• Eliminate 158 tonnes of mercury pollution, both from the light bulbs themselves and from avoided mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants
• Save US$1.13 trillion on electricity bills

“The Africa region, in deep collaboration with colleagues around the world, are proud to have made momentous progress to Make Mercury History,” said David Kapindula, Minamata COP3 President and Africa Region expert. “The decision to phase out mercury-based fluorescent lighting will have unprecedented benefits in combatting the triple planetary crisis of climate change, air pollution, and biodiversity loss. Such actions would not have been possible without the spirit of cooperation demonstrated by Parties at this Minamata COP5.”

This week’s move complements decisions at Minamata COP4 in March 2022 to phase out compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), lamps commonly found in homes, by 2025. Proposals to phase out fluorescents at COP4 and COP5 were introduced by delegates from Africa.

“I was pleased to see a high spirit of collaboration amongst the Parties as related to matters concerning mercury lighting,” said Itsuki Kuroda, co-chair for COP5 proceedings and the Delegate from Japan. “Parties were able to align on phase out dates for all fluorescent categories, representing a positive example of successful diplomacy on the world stage.”

Fluorescent lighting contains mercury, a toxic chemical that threatens the health of people and the planet. Most fluorescents are improperly disposed of into general waste streams; broken bulbs pollute land and water, and increase health risks in vulnerable populations like children, pregnant people, and waste workers.

“The mercury-free lighting community came together to achieve a significant feat in the fight against mercury added products. Putting a stop to all lighting-related mercury pollution will have wide reaching benefits for our communities, ecosystems, and for the generations to come. We congratulate the governments and are pleased to join them in saying ‘Farewell to Fluorescents,’” said Elena Lymberidi-Settimo, International Co-coordinator of the Zero Mercury Working Group.

LED lamps pay for themselves quickly in energy savings. Recent global analysis indicates that payback periods for LED alternatives to LFLs are improving, from an average of 6.3 months in 2022 to 2.4 months in 2023.

LED sales and manufacturing rates are increasing year on year while fluorescent manufacture and sales are plummeting. Apart from the specialized blue-chip components, LEDs can be manufactured and assembled anywhere, unlike fluorescents, which are only produced by a few companies in a handful of countries. Advocates claim that the transition to all LED will drive local economic growth, especially in low- and middle- income countries, due to the affordability and availability of the lamps and increased clean energy jobs.

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For Media and Technical Inquires Please Contact:

Alexia Ross

Clean Lighting Campaign Communications Lead

CLASP

aross[at]clasp.ngo

WhatsApp +1 399 222 4311

“Getting Appliances Back on Track” offers valuable analysis to economies already committed to prioritizing appliance energy efficiency, and illustrates a path toward success for governments interested in joining as a Call to Action signatory.

This report continues analysis from World’s Best MEPS, which provided a snapshot of the stringency of minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for key products across top-emitting economies.

“Getting Appliances Back on Track” is the first publication of CLASP’s #NetZeroHeroes COP28 digital campaign, which will shine a light on the critical role of appliance energy efficiency in the lead-up to climate discussions at COP28.

In the lead up to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 30 November – 12 December, CLASP is launching #NetZeroHeroes – a celebration of the people and appliance heroes that are critical in reaching global Net Zero targets and promoting resilience in an already warming world.

Appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, electric motors, and lighting collectively have a major climate impact. They are responsible for a staggering 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions globally, according to CLASP’s forthcoming report ‘Net Zero Heroes: Scaling Efficient Appliances for Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation & Resilience.’ CLASP’s research shows how rolling out affordable, energy efficient alternatives is key to mitigating and adapting to the climate crisis and achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Through a series of reports, videos and articles highlighting stories of leadership and expert perspectives from across the sector, #NetZeroHeroes will amplify the urgent and immediate need to deploy efficient appliances at speed and scale to protect people and the planet.

The campaign will culminate in CLASP’s groundbreaking publication, “Net Zero Heroes: Scaling efficient appliances for climate change mitigation, adaptation & resilience” – launching the week before COP28 and available on CLASP’s website.

This research will highlight the transformative potential of efficient appliances by:

• Quantifying appliances’ ability to achieve the emissions reductions needed to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement;
• Indicating where we should scale our efforts this decade for maximum impact;
• Analyzing gaps in access to appliances and recommending where scale-up would better enable communities to adapt in a warming world;
• Providing a roadmap of solutions that governments, investors and other stakeholders can implement today to get on track to net zero emissions and an inclusive energy transition.

Stay tuned and follow #NetZeroHeroes on social media. This page will serve as a homebase for all campaign materials and will be updated regularly.

If you are interested in getting involved with the campaign, reach out to Lexi Ross at aross@clasp.ngo.