A three-month public consultation was launched in August 2011 to invite public’s views on whether Hong Kong should restrict the supply of energy-inefficient incandescent light bulbs (ILB) by mandatory scheme, voluntary measures or leaving it to market forces.

The consultation showed that there is no majority support for taking a mandatory approach at this stage. However, considering that ILB is highly energy-inefficient, that there are already sufficient replacement options and that there is a strong economic case for using more energy-efficient lamps, a dual-pronged approach has been adopted in expediting the phasing out process to reap the environmental benefits as quickly as possible, instead of just leaving it to market forces.

On the supply side, we launched a Charter Scheme with suppliers and retailers to reduce the supply of ILB.

On the demand side, the Government will step up the publicity efforts to educate the public and major lamp users on the benefits of using more energy-efficient lamps, which will not only help save energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but also cut down electricity bill.