Global Carbon Credit Scheme: UN Approves CFL Bulb Clean Development Mechanism In India

In an attempt to cut down the problems of high carbon footprints in several countries among the developing nations where energy needs are high, the United Nations has recently approved the CFL Bulb replacement scheme. Under this scheme, around 400 million incandescent light bulbs across India will be replaced by CFL bulbs and that too at a very very low price compared to the current actual market price.

What is this scheme for CFL Bulb replacement in India?
This scheme for CFL bulb replacement comes under the world’s largest carbon credit project. Uner this scheme, around 400 million traditional incandescent bulbs will be replaced by the new technology CFL bulbs.

What is the amount of carbon credit savings to be achieved under this scheme?
It is estimated that around 40 million tonnes of carbon emissions will be saved by replacing the traditional bulbs with the CFL bulbs

So that all sounds fine, how about the high cost of CFL bulbs?
It is true that the CFL bulbs cost a lot and that is what prevents it from reaching the masses. However, since this scheme is approved by UN, the high cost of CFL bulbs will not have to be born by the end user. Instead, it will be borne by government, investors, electricity distribution companies and CFL manufacturers who will offer the CFL bulbs at a discounted price. Typically, a CFL bulb in India costs around 100 Rs. or around 2 USD. This will be offered for just 15 Rs. (or around 30 cents) only.

Who all can benefit from this scheme?
It is expected to be a very big project. Estimated that around 50% of the houselholds will be benefitted from this scheme.

How will this scheme work?
As per the details available in the Times of India News, the scheme will work as follows:
The power distribution company in a particular province or state will decide whether they wish to go for replacement scheme.
It will then tie up with a financial investor, which will provide the capital to buy the CFL bulbs at market price to replace the bulbs in the discom’s area. The discom then distributes the bulb to its consumers at Rs 15 apiece and collects the regular bulbs, which it then destroys.

ANy nos. available about the savings of carbon emissions?
10 traditional incandescent bulbs when used for a year emit around a tonne of carbon. So when 400 million light bulbs will be replaced, 40 million tonnes of carbon savings will be achieved. Since Carbon Trading is becoming hot, the funding investor will get the carbon certificate getting them more carbon credits