Major announcements made at en.lighten press conference at COP17 Durban, South Africa, 7 December 2011 - "If a global temperature rise is to be kept under 2 degrees C, we need to act on multiple fronts, including voluntary and legally binding actions. Fast tracking more energy-efficient lighting is without doubt one of the low hanging fruit offering not only emissions saving but cost savings to a company or a household's budget," said Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director.
"This UNEP/GEF Global Partnership is switching off old bulbs and switching on a path to a more low-carbon, resource-efficient Green Economy. The aim of achieving a global phase-out by 2016 is not only possible but infinitely do-able," he added.

See UNFCCC Webcast

The Transition to Efficient Lighting in Southeast Asia Singapore, 4 November 2011 - On 4 November 2011, government representatives from 14 countries from Southeast Asia voiced their support for the global transition to energy efficient lighting. Participants at the UNEP/GEF en.lighten regional workshop agreed that the phase-out of incandescent lamps is one of the easiest ways to reduce CO2 emissions and achieve significant energy and financial savings.

Government Officials in the Middle East Join the UNEP/GEF en.lighten Partnership to Phase-out Inefficient Lighting Beirut, 30 September 2011 - Beirut, 30 September 2011 -Government representatives from 16 countries from the Middle East and North Africa have voiced their support for the phasing out of incandescent light bulbs. Such a move could save the region an estimated US$3 billion a year in energy costs.

Inaugural Regional Workshop in Latin America and the Caribbean leads to “Santo Domingo Declaration”Domingo, 4 August 2011 - Santo Domingo, 4 August 2011-Government representatives from 26 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have agreed to adopt the “Santo Domingo Declaration” to phase-out incandescent light bulbs. Such a move could save the region an estimated US$4 billion a year in energy costs.