Australia and Chile are proposing to ban the sale of traditional light-bulbs in four years' time, which is expected to yield an energy saving of 66% for households. According to some sources, the world could save € 51 bn per annum in electricity costs and CO2 emissions would fall by 273 m tons if a worldwide ban were introduced.

In its communication of 10 January 2007(1), the Commission announced various measures to limit CO2 emissions, inter alia by reducing CO2 emissions from transport, using renewable energy sources and making buildings energy-efficient. In the conclusions of the Spring Summit of 9 March 2007, the European Council asks the Commission to submit proposals for more stringent measures to improve the energy efficiency of street-lights and lights in offices and homes. Can the Commission inform me what view it takes of the possibility of a European ban on traditional light-bulbs, particularly as large producers and the European Council would support such a proposal? What other measures are planned and what is the timetable?

(1) 'Limiting Global Climate Change to 2 degrees Celsius: the way ahead for 2020 and beyond'. COM(2007)0002 final) - SEC(2007)0008).