NORTH EAST MEP'S CHRISTMAS WISH GRANTED: EU TO BAN BAD LIGHT BULBS

1.30.08pm GMT Thu 11th Dec 2008

Almost a year after a North East MEP launched a petition calling for the UK Government to push for a Europe wide ban on incandescent light bulbs, Lib Dem Fiona Hall has finally got her Christmas wish.

The decision has been taken to phase out the most energy-guzzling light bulbs across Europe by 2012 and replace them with more energy efficient alternatives.

Energy saving bulbs are five times more efficient than ordinary bulbs, which turn most of the energy they use into heat rather than light. The European Commission says that if all traditional bulbs were switched to efficient halogen, LED and fluorescent CFL lamps across Europe, 30 million tons of CO2 emissions could be saved every year.

Fiona, who sits on the Industry, Research and Energy committee in the European Parliament and drafted a parliamentary report on the European Action Plan on Energy Efficiency said:

"I have campaigned hard to ban bad lighting in houses, streets and offices. A shake up in the way we light our homes has been long overdue and is now vital if we want to save money and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions .

"By replacing the worst performing lighting with newer and more innovative methods, it is estimated that the amount of energy used in domestic lighting could fall by 60%, saving £4 billion (€5 billion) across Europe and putting up to £40 (€50) back into householders' pockets.

"Now that there is such a wide choice of alternative lighting, it is time to consign the Victorian incandescent bulb to our history museums."