Traditional incandescent light bulbs could be outlawed under proposals in the city's first consultation paper on clean air. The document, drafted by the Council for Sustainable Development, said the use of energy efficient bulbs should be made mandatory. It said many western countries are taking similar steps. In Australia, the government announced in February that the use of energy efficient light bulbs would be made mandatory, and incandescent light bulbs phased out by 2012. The European Union also is studying similar plans to ban traditional bulbs by 2009. A law also is being examined in California to prohibit old bulbs in 2012. A source from the council said Hong Kong should make the switch. 'This is a small and easy step to reduce emissions and improve air quality. Most families in Hong Kong already use eco-friendly bulbs to save money. There should not be any drastic change here,' he said. Eco-friendly bulbs, which are more expensive, consume four times less electricity than conventional ones. They also can save a household at least half of their electricity bill. The old bulbs wasted 90 per cent in heat; new bulbs use 20 per cent of the electricity to produce the same light, and can last four to 10 times longer. The switch of light bulbs is one of the many proposals suggested by the council to cut power consumption. The government has signed agreements with CLP Power and Hongkong Electric to promote energy efficiencies and conservation. During a three-year scheme, HK$106 million was given to help commercial electricity users implement energy saving measures. Several other measures, including an energy code for building design and a voluntary energy efficiency labelling scheme for household appliances and office equipment, also have been launched. CLP also offers cheaper off-peak electricity to users. The consultation paper said the city should set specific targets to cut energy consumption, while the existing measures such as the labelling scheme should be made mandatory. The source said new legislation may be needed to cut consumption. 'What we need to consider is: what would be an acceptable or a reasonable energy saving target and how could users be motivated to do so?' he said. 'Maybe the users need to be rewarded for achieving the targets.' The consultation document also suggested introducing electronic road pricing in Hong Kong, saying it is an option to clean the air and manage traffic flow. It listed the experience of road pricing in London and Singapore, and asked which well-defined congested areas, such as Central, Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Mong Kok, and Tsim Sha Tsui, best be applied with the pricing system. The document also will seek public views on the most appropriate charging structure - whether it should be based on time of day, road usage, or areas entered. Watt matters Lighting accounts for 15 per cent to 20 per cent of Hong Kong's electricity consumption. The amount of electricity wasted as heat by older bulbs 90%