The Covenant of Mayors is a European Commission initiative under which more than 1000 cities have committed to reducing their CO2 emissions by more than 20% by 2020 exceeding the existing EU targets. As part of this initiative, the Commission developed the concept of Benchmarks of Excellence for energy efficient solutions in an urban setting with the aim of creating a best practice forum for cities.
GE Lighting partnered with Motril in Spain to modernise the city's lighting with the aim of reducing energy consumption, light pollution and CO2 emissions while simultaneously preserving the aesthetic design. Between September 2007 and May 2008, 70% of the city's low-output conventional mercury vapour and high pressure sodium lamps were replaced by 2,238 GE fittings and lamps. The project has enabled the city to achieve average energy savings of 25%.
In Budapest, GE is part of a project called Schools' Illumination Programme, whose goal is to upgrade the lighting of the schools without state financing. The cost of the project has been entirely financed by the energy savings generated. The schools participating in the programme have realized 40% energy saving and also higher quality lighting for the children. Some of the products used in this initiative include the Polylux XL Triphosphor Linear Fluorescent Lamps, 2D Wattmiser Compact Fluorescent Lamps and Electronic Ballasts. These are all part of GE Lighting's ecomagination portfolio of innovative energy efficient products.
(Jim Evans)
