Efficiency is the amount of energy an appliance or device uses to get a certain output. The more efficient a device is, the less electricity it uses - and the less climate-changing emissions are pumped into the atmosphere.
The technologies exist for making all sorts of energy efficient products – from light bulbs and TVs to cars and fridges. But, because it’s cheaper and easier for industry to keep churning out the same old products, most of us are still using old, inefficient technologies and unnecessarily damaging the climate.
We want the government to step in and legislate, setting down minimum efficiency requirements for energy-using appliances by law. But they say they can’t do this without the EU. It may take years for EU efficiency laws to be passed, and in the meantime the government is proposing a voluntary, gradual phase-out of some incandescents by the end of 2011.
We think five years is too long given the urgency of tackling climate change and all the other appliances that need tackling too – never mind the power stations and transport systems.
So we’re looking to retailers to take the lead and voluntarily remove all incandescent bulbs from their shelves. And light bulbs are just the start. We see this as a first step towards tough standards for all energy using products.
