The Philippines have announced that they will be following the lead of countries such as Canada and Australia and will be phasing out incandescent bulbs by 2010 in favour of more energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs in a bid to help reduce their carbon emissions and household costs.

The plan is the first of it’s sort in Asia and many are pleased with the decision. The plan is said to be the most effective way to reduce electricity demands whilst also using energy more efficiently and cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions.

The Asian Development Bank is considering extending a $30 million loan to the Philippines to help fund energy efficiency programs. This includes help for low income families to change their light bulbs over to the more expensive fluorescent alternative.

Despite having a larger initial cost, fluorescent bulbs are said to be cheaper than standard bulbs – they need just 20% of the electricity to produce the same amount of light as their equivalent incandescent bulb, and have an average life span that is six to ten times longer. The Asian Development Bank believe that the switch will cut household lighting costs by up to 80% and help cut greenhouse gas emissions in the country by up to 2.2 million tonnes a year.

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