The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-Global Environment Facility (GEF) en.lighten initiative was established in 2009 to accelerate a global market transformation to environmentally sustainable, energy efficient lighting technologies, as well as to develop strategies to phase-out inefficient incandescent lamps to reduce CO2 emissions and the release of mercury from fossil fuel combustion.

The en.lighten initiative serves as a platform to build synergies among international stakeholders; identify global best practices and share this knowledge and information; create policy and regulatory frameworks; address technical and quality issues; and encourage countries to develop National and/or Regional Efficient Lighting Strategies.

The UN Secretary General’s Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative has identified advanced lighting as a “High Opportunity Area” and en.lighten has been selected to lead this international effort.

The initiative is a public/private partnership between the United Nations Environment Programme, OSRAM and Philips Lighting, with the support of the Global Environment Facility. The National Lighting Test Centre of China became a partner in 2011 and the Australian Government joined to support developing countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific in 2013.

Sponsors

AusAID

Australian Government

The Australian Government supports developing countries in South-East Asia and the Pacific in their efforts to respond to climate change.

UNEP

United Nations Environment Programme

UNEP, established in 1972, is the voice for the environment within the United Nations system. UNEP acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global environment.

theGEF

Global Environment Facility

The Global Environment Facility is an independently operating financial organization that unites 183 countries in partnership with international institutions, civil society organizations and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives.

OSRAM

OSRAM AG

OSRAM is one of the two leading light manufacturers in the world. The company’s portfolio covers the entire value chain from components to electronic control gears as well as complete luminaries, light management systems and lighting solutions.

Philips Lighting

Royal Philips of the Netherlands is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights.

National Lighting Test Centre

The National Lighting Test Centre is one of the most recognized lighting test institutions in China. It has been authorized as a national testing institution by the State Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision and is also designated as testing centre for China Compulsory Certification and China Quality Certification.