HC Deb 03 November 1998 vol 318 cc460-1W
Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to encourage the use of low-energy lightbulbs. [57669]

Mr. Meale

The energy efficiency of lighting is a significant environmental issue, given that lighting accounts for about a fifth of the electricity consumed in the UK. Research carried out for my Department suggests that there is economic and technical potential to save 32 per cent. of that energy. The Government already support a wide-ranging programme of measures, at national and European level, to encourage energy efficient lighting; and consultation is under way about further ways of delivering the potential savings.

At a national level, our Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme provides valuable guidance to building professionals on cost-effective, energy efficient lighting measures. In addition, we are currently reviewing provisions in the Building Regulations to see, amongst other things, how standards of lamp efficacy, lighting system control and encouragement of better use of daylight might be improved, for both new buildings and existing ones. Promotion of energy efficient lighting is carried out by the Energy Saving Trust, both through its overall "Energy Efficiency" campaign and through a new project, "Lightswitch", aimed at the non-domestic sector.

At EU level we continue to support common and co-ordinated policy measures to provide product information, raise product standards and facilitate the procurement of energy efficient lighting products. This activity is closely informed by the Market Transformation Programme, which we run in the UK to research the trends in the market and to consult with a full range of stakeholder groups about possible measures for hastening improvements in performance. An important next phase of the action coordinated at EU level will be the introduction of mandatory energy labels for light bulbs, on which we plan to have UK Regulations in place next June.

While continuing work of this kind to promote the uptake of more efficient lighting equipment, we shall also continue to promote general messages about using lights more efficiently, through my Department's "Are You Doing Your Bit?" campaign.