Energy-efficient appliances will save world $350bn of electricity bill – UNEP

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP), through its new initiative launched, has said that a shift from energy-efficient appliances would save the world 350 billion dollars annually in electricity bills.

This is contained in a statement issued at the venue of the ongoing Climate Change Summit in New York and made available to the newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, said that UNEP had announced a new initiative to accelerate the transition to more efficient appliances and equipment.

It said the transition to the use of energy saving appliances would reduce global energy demand, mitigate climate change and improve access to energy.

“A worldwide shift to energy-efficient appliances and equipment including lighting, air conditioners, refrigerators, electric motors, ceiling fans and distribution transformers would reduce global electricity consumption.

“It would reduce global electricity consumption by more than 10 per cent, saving 350 billion dollars annually in electricity bills and reducing global Carbon dioxide (Co2) emissions by 1.25 billion tonnes per year,’’ it said.

The statement quoted Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director, as saying “the launch of the Efficient Appliances and Equipment Partnership is a step forward towards achieving a greener energy path at a global scale.

“The shift to energy efficiency has become an imperative in today’s world where the demand for energy continues to grow.

“The current fossil fuel-heavy energy system challenges global climate change mitigation efforts.

“Fortunately, energy-efficient technologies, the know-how and policy frameworks required to reduce Co2 emission levels to a level consistent with the 2°C target are available and ready for deployment.

“This new partnership will help implement and accelerate this process,” the statement quoted Steiner as saying.

According to the statement, partners to the initiative include the UN Development Programme, the International Copper Association, CLASP and the Natural Resources Defence Council.

The statement said that it was a public-private partnership that brings together inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations, appliance and equipment manufacturers, utilities, international development banks and financial institutions together.

“To provide tailored assistance to governments for the development and implementation of national and regional strategies that facilitates the permanent transition to energy-efficient products.

“As in most developing countries and emerging economies, the demand for energy-consuming products is increasing rapidly in Latin America and the Caribbean due to the fast growing urban population.

“In Paraguay, the stock of domestic refrigerators will double by 2030.

“In Panama, the stock of air conditioners is expected to increase by 400 per cent over the same period.

“The trend in the region towards increasing electricity consumption and consequently, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, significantly impacts global efforts to combat climate change,’’ it said.

NAN