Green lighting initiative launches in UAE

A new green initiative in the UAE aims to promote the use of LED lights and energy efficiency in an attempt to minimise negative environmental impacts.

The nationwide “I LED the way” campaign was launched by the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA), Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB).

The 12-month eco-programme will use awareness campaigns, community engagement and green initiatives to achieve its objectives, according to a statement by its organisers.

The initiative will kick off on May 22 with the Efficient Lighting Campaign, which will seek to promote energy efficiency in lighting. Culminating on June 5, which is also World Environment Day, the campaign will use education and retail-orientated programmes to motivate residents to reduce their lighting footprint.

According to ESMA, the campaign will also go a long way in supporting the recently implemented national Regulation for Lighting Products, passed by the authority in late 2013, in which the governing body placed a ban on inefficient lighting technologies from entering the UAE market.

During the Efficient Lighting Campaign, all high efficiency LED lighting products, as certified by ESMA, will be discounted by 25% for a week at select Dubai retailers. Residents will also be offered environmentally friendly disposal solutions for their old light bulbs, which can contain harmful levels of toxic mercury.

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