World to phase out fluorescent lamps

Some 147 of the world’s largest economies have agreed an effective ban on fluorescent lamps by 2027.

The decision, taken in Switzerland at the Minamata Convention on Mercury –will effectively putting an end to the fluorescent lighting industry, with the limited exception of special uses like some transport applications.

The Minamata meeting – known as the Fifth Conference of Parties or COP5 –  follows a major convention in March of 2022 when delegates agreed to phase out compact fluorescent lamps by 2025.

‘The Africa region, in deep collaboration with colleagues around the world, are proud to have made momentous progress to Make Mercury History,’ said David Kapindula, Minamata COP3 President and Africa Region expert. ‘The decision to phase out mercury-based fluorescent lighting will have unprecedented benefits in combatting the triple planetary crisis of climate change, air pollution, and biodiversity loss. Such actions would not have been possible without the spirit of cooperation demonstrated by Parties at this Minamata COP5.’

‘The mercury-free lighting community came together to achieve a significant feat in the fight against mercury added products,’ said Elena Lymberidi-Settimo, International Co-coordinator of the Zero Mercury Working Group, after the meeting.

‘Putting a stop to all lighting-related mercury pollution will have wide reaching benefits for our communities, ecosystems, and for the generations to come. We congratulate the governments and are pleased to join them in saying ‘Farewell to Fluorescents’.

Environmental lobbyist CLASP said that the move would avoid 2.7 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions and eliminate 158 tonnes of mercury pollution, both from the light bulbs themselves and from avoided mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants.

The decision will accelerate the transition to LEDs across the globe.

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