United for Efficiency partners planned the next phase of partnership at a three-day workshop at the Global Efficient Lighting Centre, Beijing, China. The discussions held from 6 – 8 September focused on the partner countries’ expectations, support United for Efficiency could provide, and the roles of the United for Efficiency partners from mid-2017 to 2019.

The workshop brought together over 40 representatives from United for Efficiency partner organizations, leading manufacturers and 11 countries to reaffirm their commitment to mitigate climate change through the rapid global transition to energy-efficient appliances.
During the discussions, the country participants identified what they expect from United for Efficiency, and the support they needed to transform their markets to energy-efficient products.

In their presentations, United for Efficiency manufacturing and technical partners described their areas of expertise and support and shared guidance documents and tools that countries could utilize.

Country participants stressed their needs about the development of financial mechanisms and on accessing funding for energy efficiency investments for accelerating the deployment of new technologies. They also highlighted the need to obtain information on successful experiences from developing countries and emerging economies and matchmaking with relevant organizations and experts.

In addition, country participants emphasized challenges related to market control. They expressed the need for increased capacities for monitoring, verification and enforcement to limit noncompliant or inefficient products entering their markets. They also requested support in disposing of products containing environmentally harmful substances.

Manufacturing partners said they can provide market intelligence and expertise to attend workshops, as well as review draft policies, regulations, strategies, studies and assessments. The technical partners stressed they could be contracted for global, national or regional activities.

In addition, country participants and United for Efficiency partners’ representatives had over 60 bilateral meetings where they discussed potential areas of support and collaboration in national projects. Possible in-kind co-financing opportunities were explored.

Participants also had the opportunity to visit the National Lighting Test Centre’s laboratories.
This specialized and accredited testing facility provides lighting testing, training, advice, quality control and capacity building support to developing and emerging countries.

The Global Efficient Lighting Centre is hosted by the National Lighting Test Centre and was established in 2011 with UN Environment as a collaborative centre of excellence.

Since 2015 United for Efficiency has been working with a group of private and technical institutions and governments in over 50 countries around the world. Its objective is to foster market transformation for energy-efficient products by promoting an integrated policy approach and supporting the design of financial mechanisms, which accelerate market penetration.