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Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program (CLASP)
[last updated February 14, 2007 5:24 PM]
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General Information
Partnership website(s) |
Expected TimeframeAugust 2002 - December 2010 |
Partners
Governments:
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Major Groups:
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UN System:
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Other intergovernmental organizations:
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Other:
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Thematic Focus
Primary Themes:
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Secondary Themes:
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Geographic Coverage
Geographic Scope: Global
Country(ies) where the partnership is being implemented: Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belize, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Mexico, Nepal, Nicaragua, Panama, Poland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay |
National Focal Points
This partnership has made contact with the national focal points for sustainable development in the countries involved
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Goals and Objectives
Summary of the partnership's goals and objectives
Energy efficiency standards and labels (S&L) for appliances, equipment and lighting are the most cost-effective means to help countries limit energy demand while stimulating economic growth. The overall result of S&L is to reduce required investments in power plants and reduce fuel consumption for their operation with powerful economic gains (e.g., freeing up capital for investments in non-energy social infrastructure like schools, roads or hospitals) and environmental benefits (e.g., avoiding carbon emissions).
CLASP seeks to serve as the primary international voice and resource for policymakers and practitioners of energy efficiency standards and labeling for residential, commercial and industrial equipment and lighting in South and North countries worldwide. It promotes the cost-effective adoption of S&L throughout the world. The overall development objective of CLASP is to transform the manufacture and sale of appliances, equipment and lighting worldwide by the application of energy efficiency standards and labels so that countries develop in a more environmentally sustainable and economically efficient manner. This application engenders several steps including: 1) deciding whether and how to implement energy efficiency standards and labels, 2) developing a testing capability, 3) designing and implementing a labelling program and analysing and setting standards, 4) communicating with all stakeholders, 5) maintaining and enforcing compliance, and 6) evaluating the labelling and standards-setting program.
Worldwide, the use of energy in human activities related to buildings (including use of appliances, equipment and lighting) accounts for 34 percent of total energy consumption.
The direct outputs of the partnership are designed to lead to the adoption of energy efficiency standards and labels in the partner countries. In the process of achieving these outputs the project will build:
* institutional capability for developing, maintaining, and continuously upgrading efficiency standards and labels by providing direct technical assistance in at least 35 developing countries; and
* a network of collaborators around the world with a common mission, bringing attention and high priority to efficiency standards and labels within key development institutions. CLASP is open to all organizations and individuals who have the ability and interest to serve CLASP's mission and are willing to abide by CLASP's published Guiding Principles. CLASP is comprised of a small secretariat and a worldwide assembly of Sponsoring Partners who fund CLASP activities, Country Partners who are the recipients of CLASP services, Implementing Partners who provide CLASP services, and interested stakeholders as Affiliates.
CLASP seeks to serve as the primary international voice and resource for policymakers and practitioners of energy efficiency standards and labeling for residential, commercial and industrial equipment and lighting in South and North countries worldwide. It promotes the cost-effective adoption of S&L throughout the world. The overall development objective of CLASP is to transform the manufacture and sale of appliances, equipment and lighting worldwide by the application of energy efficiency standards and labels so that countries develop in a more environmentally sustainable and economically efficient manner. This application engenders several steps including: 1) deciding whether and how to implement energy efficiency standards and labels, 2) developing a testing capability, 3) designing and implementing a labelling program and analysing and setting standards, 4) communicating with all stakeholders, 5) maintaining and enforcing compliance, and 6) evaluating the labelling and standards-setting program.
Worldwide, the use of energy in human activities related to buildings (including use of appliances, equipment and lighting) accounts for 34 percent of total energy consumption.
The direct outputs of the partnership are designed to lead to the adoption of energy efficiency standards and labels in the partner countries. In the process of achieving these outputs the project will build:
* institutional capability for developing, maintaining, and continuously upgrading efficiency standards and labels by providing direct technical assistance in at least 35 developing countries; and
* a network of collaborators around the world with a common mission, bringing attention and high priority to efficiency standards and labels within key development institutions. CLASP is open to all organizations and individuals who have the ability and interest to serve CLASP's mission and are willing to abide by CLASP's published Guiding Principles. CLASP is comprised of a small secretariat and a worldwide assembly of Sponsoring Partners who fund CLASP activities, Country Partners who are the recipients of CLASP services, Implementing Partners who provide CLASP services, and interested stakeholders as Affiliates.
Targets and Progress
Partnership targetsThrough the establishment of energy efficiency standards and labels over the next twenty years, CLASP's goal is to support S&L programs that reduce total anthropogenic CO2 emissions by 2% by 2030. Related outcomes will include:
* lower overall energy intensity (energy consumed per unit of GNP) in the partner countries; * lower energy-related emissions of GHGs and other pollutants; * increased production and distribution of energy-efficient products by manufacturers; * lower utility bills for households, businesses, and government agencies in the partner countries. CLASP intends to foster regional initiatives in Latin America (including three sub-regional initiatives), Asia (with another three sub-regional initiatives), Africa (with two sub-regional initiatives), the Middle East and North Africa, Eastern Europe and the countries of the former Soviet Union. CLASP intends to provide bilateral technical assistance to at least three dozen developing countries and, more likely, twice that number. All this is in addition to provision of general information, tools and training to all the nations of the world. As CLASP receives additional funding, it will develop specific targets and timelines for the number of regional and bilateral partnerships it will help create. As importantly, CLASP will, at the same time, develop targets and timelines for the number of additional products covered by standards and labels in each country. The bottom line, of course, is the reduction in energy use, peak power, and pollutant emissions and the cost-effectiveness of these reductions. Corresponding targets will be set for these parameters, as well. |
Progress against targetsTarget: "support S&L programs that save 390 TWh of electricity per year and reduce total annual anthropogenic CO2 emissions by 2% by 2030 (360 MtCO2)"
CLASP measures its success in terms of saved energy and reduced tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted. Saving energy reduces energy intensity. CLASP has assisted with the implementation of 21 new minimum energy performance standards, energy efficiency endorsement labels, and energy information labels that will save 90 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity and 86 megatonnes of CO2 (MtCO2) annually by 2014. Most of this savings is contributing to reducing energy intensity in China. Target: " Increasing participation in CLASP in up to 20 countries." Since 2002, CLASP has conducted work in Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, China, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, India, Mexico, Nepal, Poland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay. It has supported regional S&L projects in 30 additional countries. CLASP has provided support for 49 countries in the past four years. CLASP has met these targets by promoting the world's best practices in energy efficiency S&L from several different angles: - Working with in-country technical counterparts and officials responsible for development, implementation, and evaluation of S&L programs. CLASP's largest bilateral support has been with China and India - Providing technical assistance in the seven core aspects of S&L - Providing training courses in the seven core aspects of S&L - Developing and disseminating S&L tools, including a guidebook for practitioners of S&L and a comprehensive web site <www.clasponline.org> containing a joint APEC-CLASP database on the status of S&L worldwide (Energy Standards Information System or ESIS) - Disseminating information to S&L practitioners worldwide. - Facilitating regional collaborations directed at sharing lessons learned and the adoption of common, harmonized approaches to policy implementation in North America, South America, SouthEast Asia, and Southern Europe. |
Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
- Human resources development/training
- Education/building awareness
- Institutional strengthening, including local participation
- Technology transfer/exchange
In a fundamental sense, all the CLASP activities described above can be classified as capacity building and technology transfer. The basic CLASP approach is to assist stakeholders in developing countries to perform their appropriate roles in the standard-setting and labeling process, rather than performing any of these functions for them. CLASP is taking the information, procedures and tools for energy efficiency standard-setting and labeling developed by the U.S and Europe, adding refinements added by other countries that have more recently undertaken the effort (e.g., China and Mexico), and transferring that capability to other countries. Standards and labeling programs will ensure that only energy efficient technologies can be transferred to developing counties - not old, inefficient and polluting technologies.
Relationship to International Agreements on Sustainable Development
How the partnership contributes to the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
CLASP supports all three components of sustainable development -- economic growth, social development, and environmental protection -- as described in Agenda 21. It responds directly to key elements of the WSSD Programme of Action as follows:
1. . Changing Unsustainable Patterns of Consumption and Production -- CLASP directly satisfies the recommendations of CSD-9 and the mandates of the Chairman's text to "Establish domestic programmes for energy efficiency" and, through energy labeling, to "Develop ... consumer information tools, such as eco-labeling" and "provide information for both men and women about available energy sources and technologies". It also encourages industry to improve social and environmental performance through voluntary initiatives; provides training for relevant government authorities; improves the functioning of national markets; facilitates regional cooperation; and enhances international cooperation.
2. Protecting and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development -- CLASP strengthens the capacities of developing countries to conserve their natural resource base and to reduce air pollution resulting from energy consumption.
3. Means of Implementation -- It will facilitate access to markets by removing and avoiding the creation of new non-tariff trade barriers. It will also assist countries to achieve accurate, long-term, consistent and reliable data on energy use patterns and will strengthen that country's ability to conduct relevant analyses. In general, CLASP will help establish regulatory frameworks and stimulate the diffusion of environmentally sound and cost-effective energy efficiency policies to and among developing countries. In doing so it will provide technical and financial assistance to foster participation by civil society in the process and build national capacities for carrying out effective implementation of Agenda 21.
Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
1. . Changing Unsustainable Patterns of Consumption and Production -- CLASP directly satisfies the recommendations of CSD-9 and the mandates of the Chairman's text to "Establish domestic programmes for energy efficiency" and, through energy labeling, to "Develop ... consumer information tools, such as eco-labeling" and "provide information for both men and women about available energy sources and technologies". It also encourages industry to improve social and environmental performance through voluntary initiatives; provides training for relevant government authorities; improves the functioning of national markets; facilitates regional cooperation; and enhances international cooperation.
2. Protecting and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development -- CLASP strengthens the capacities of developing countries to conserve their natural resource base and to reduce air pollution resulting from energy consumption.
3. Means of Implementation -- It will facilitate access to markets by removing and avoiding the creation of new non-tariff trade barriers. It will also assist countries to achieve accurate, long-term, consistent and reliable data on energy use patterns and will strengthen that country's ability to conduct relevant analyses. In general, CLASP will help establish regulatory frameworks and stimulate the diffusion of environmentally sound and cost-effective energy efficiency policies to and among developing countries. In doing so it will provide technical and financial assistance to foster participation by civil society in the process and build national capacities for carrying out effective implementation of Agenda 21.
Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
International cooperation to accelerate sustainable development in developing countries and related domestic policies; Changing consumption patterns; Protection of the atmosphere; Strengthening the role of business and industry; National mechanisms and international cooperation for capacity-building in developing countries
Relevant Sections of the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 Integration of economic, social and environmental objectives; Means of implementation
Relevant Sections of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation Changing unsustainable patterns of consumption and production ; Sustainable development in a globalizing world ; Sustainable development for Africa ; Sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean; Sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific; Sustainable development in the West Asia region; Sustainable development in the Economic Commission for Europe region; Strengthening institutional arrangement for sustainable development at the regional level; Strengthening institutional frameworks for sustainable development at the national level; Participation of major groups
Coordination and Implementation
Coordination Mechanism of the PartnershipCLASP is a non-profit corporation governed by a Board of Directors comprised of 10 voting members from six countries in four continents who are responsible for all aspects of the operation of the partnership. The President of the Board and CEO supervises the Executive Director. The full-time Executive Director is responsible for managing the daily operations of the partnership and its activities and maintains a small support staff for this purpose. The Executive Director and her staff arrange and oversee the work of CLASP's many implementing partners.
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Implementation Mechanism of the PartnershipCLASP is a global network, a collection of S&L experts, a business opportunity, an information clearinghouse, an aide to donor organizations, and many other things as well. It is open to all organizations and individuals who have the ability and interest to serve CLASP's mission and are willing to abide by CLASP's published Guiding Principles. CLASP is comprised of a small secretariat and a worldwide assembly of:
• Sponsoring Partners who fund CLASP activities • Country Partners who are the recipients of CLASP services • Implementing Partners who provide CLASP services • Interested stakeholders as Affiliates, mainly manufacturers, distributors, retailers and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as consumers groups and environmental organizations. All CLASP Country Partners receive CLASP's commitment in writing that work pursued in their country and under the CLASP name will adhere to the CLASP principles and will be according to best international practice. CLASP selects the best international experts for any assignment from among its many Implementing Partners through an open and transparent solicitation. |
Resources
Funding Currently AvailableAmount in US$:
Source(s): Government - Foundations / charities - IGO
Since its inception, CLASP has received over $10 million from 15 donors (USAID, UNDP-GEF, UNDESA, the UN Foundation, the Energy Foundation, the International Copper Association, US EPA, US DOE, US/Egypt Joint Fund for Science and Technology, US Department of State, Australian Greenhouse Office, the World Bank, the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry-Japan, and Enova). |
Non-financial resources availableType(s):
Source(s):
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Funding SoughtRequired Amount in US$: $10 million annually
Source(s) already approached: CLASP's strategic plan includes scenarios with annual S&L support levels ranging from $1.2 million to $2.9 million. Funding at this level is being sought from CLASP's existing funders plus European bilateral agencies and additional foundations. CLASP believes there is demand for S&L support in excess of $10 million per year. CLASP has also unveiled plans to establish a Standards and Labels Energy Trust Fund, designed to allow rapid response to both accelerate the adoption of S&L globally as well as enhance the effectiveness of the standards and labels that are adopted. In CY07, the fund seeks to secure $500,000 to allow CLASP and its partners to pursue short-term and foundational investments that otherwise would be foregone.
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Non-financial resources soughtRequirement(s):
Source(s) approached and details:
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Additional Information
Additional Relevant Information
Background:
Throughout the developing world, growth in the demand for power is straining an already inadequate energy infrastructure. World demand for major appliances and equipment-ranging from refrigerators and clothes washers in homes to copiers and lighting equipment in office buildings-is expected to continue its steady growth. Fossil fuel based power causes significant urban pollution and contributes to climate change, in both North and South countries. At the global level, studies of climate change strongly suggest that large reductions of global greenhouse gas emissions are needed to stabilize the climate. Emissions of greenhouse gases, which mostly originate from the use of fossil fuels, will have to be reduced by perhaps a factor of ten below projected emissions over the next century, if the global climate is to be stabilised. This poses a considerable challenge as presently 80 percent of the world's primary energy is from fossil fuels.
Without focused efforts to better utilise technology to reduce the energy consumption by appliances and equipment, electricity demand in the residential and commercial sectors will continue to outstrip supply in the developing world with serious resulting environmental and economic problems.
In any country, benefits of standards and labeling programs can start to accrue in as little as six years. However, ten years is a more likely timeframe, allowing for institutional capacity building and the required investments in manufacturing and regulatory infrastructure. Benefits will accrue over the following 10-30 years depending on product stock and rates of replacement. Thus, standards and labeling programs require a mid- to long-term perspective on energy policy. As of September 2004, 56 countries had implemented at least one voluntary or mandatory label or standard covering 81 different energy-consuming products. The challenge for the international energy efficiency and donor community is to highlight the successes of long-term investments in standards and labeling to better assist developing countries in the adoption of these programs as cornerstones of energy policy.
Partners Involved:
CLASP is designed to facilitate South-South and South-North exchanges among governments, industry, inter-governmental organizations, and technical support groups to transform the manufacture and sale of appliances, equipment and lighting worldwide. It is based on the concept of linking assistance providers and assistance recipients in partnerships with shared responsibilities. It facilitates the participation of North and South stakeholders with experience and expertise in energy efficiency standard-setting and labeling. CLASP participation is open to all stakeholders involved in energy efficiency standard-setting and labeling worldwide who can usefully contribute to the CLASP mission.
Within CLASP's four partnership categories, there are several six types of stakeholders, including:
Governments:
Approximately three dozen governments have already adopted an energy efficiency standard or label for at least one product. Several dozen more are in the process or actively considering doing so. Over three dozen countries have expressed an interest in a collaboration as proposed by the partnership, including: Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, the European Union, Ghana, Honduras, Israel, India, Japan, Korea, Maldives, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Poland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tunisia, Ukraine, United States and Uruguay.
Industry:
Appliance, equipment and lighting product manufacturers and their trade associations are invited and will likely participate in areas of competitive interest. Other parties in the production-distribution path are also invited. The International Copper Association has been actively engaged in the process of establishing energy efficiency standards for motors in several countries because those motors require greater use of copper windings; the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers participated in the preparation of the CLASP Guidebook on Energy Efficiency Labels and Standards; many industrial associations and equipment manufacturers are key stakeholders who participate in the standard setting process.
Intergovernmental organizations:
The United Nations and UN agencies (UNDESA, UNDP and UNIDO) are key partners in supporting energy standards and labeling programs around the world. DESA has been the lead UN implementing agency supporting pilot activities of the CLASP initiative and serves on the Board of Directors. DESA has recently supported energy efficiency standards training in six Arab countries, assessment of test facility upgrade potential in Egypt and is currently supporting the development of standards and labelling programs in China for lighting, refrigerators and solar collectors.
Other organizations collaborating in this initiative are the International Energy Agency of the OECD and the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI).
Non-governmental organizations:
NGOs involved in energy efficiency standard-setting and labeling are generally environmentally oriented. In the U.S., the Natural Resources Defense Council, the American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy, and the Alliance to Save Energy are involved in the related national regulatory procedures. NGO counterparts in all other countries are invited to participate.
Technical support groups:
The Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program (CLASP) is a partnership with the sole purpose of providing technical assistance to developing countries in their development of energy efficiency standard-setting and labeling programs. It has joined in partnership with the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI) for this mission. Other support organizations have participated and all are invited. For example, Mexico's Comision Nacional para el Ahorro de Energia (CONAE), China's National Institute for Standardization (CNIS), and technical support groups in Europe, Australia, Korea and Japan are teaming to provide national, regional and global support for this initiative.
CLASP is the product of growing international cooperation on energy standards and labeling programs. It also reflects the consensus that energy standards and labels are perhaps the most cost effective energy efficiency policy at the national level. A summary of key CLASP accomplishments to date is presented below.
1. Target: Increase participation in CLASP in up to 20 countries
Since 2002, CLASP has conducted work in Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, China, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, India, Mexico, Nepal, Poland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay. It has supported regional S&L projects in 30 additional countries. CLASP has provided support for 49 countries in the past four years.
2. Target: Support S&L programs that save 390 TWh of electricity per year and reduce total annual anthropogenic CO2 emissions by 2% by 2030 (360 MtCO2)
CLASP measures its success in terms of saved energy and reduced tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted. Saving energy reduces energy intensity. CLASP has assisted with the implementation of 21 new minimum energy performance standards, energy efficiency endorsement labels, and energy information labels that will save 90 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity and 86 megatonnes of CO2 (MtCO2) annually by 2014. Most of this savings is contributing to reducing energy intensity in China.
3. Partnerships
CLASP registered as a Sustainable Development Partnership with the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) in 2002. Since its incorporation in 2005, it is operating as a true global partnership. Upon its incorporation, CLASP established a formal collaboration of Sponsoring Partners who fund CLASP activities, Country Partners who are the recipients of CLASP services, Implementing Partners who provide CLASP services, and interested stakeholders as Affiliates.
Since registering with CSD, CLASP has partnered with three other CSD Sustainable Development Partnerships – Efficient Energy for Sustainable Development (EESD), Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), and Promoting and Energy-efficient Public Sector (PEPS). CLASP has also partnered with Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) by co-sponsoring the joint APEC-CLASP Energy Standards Information System (ESIS) website, a database with information on over 1700 standards.
4. Regional S&L Projects
In 2002, CLASP began working with UNDP-GEF to develop a series of regional projects to foster regional collaboration in S&L. In 2004, UNDP-GEF brought an S&L international expert to its staff full-time in order to further develop and coordinate this effort. As of the spring of 2006, UNDP-GEF's regional S&L initiative has projects underway in Central America, in the Andean region of South America, and in Southern Europe, with more such projects under development. Besides playing a key role in the development of the initiative, CLASP is providing several international experts to each of the three current projects.
5. S&L Tools
CLASP has developed four tools for policy makers and practitioners of S&L to facilitate their development and implementation of their S&L programs:
• CLASP maintains and keeps current a website making available comprehensive information about all aspects of S&L and its proponents.
• In 2005, CLASP published a second edition of Energy-Efficiency Labels and Standards: A Guidebook for Appliances, Equipment, and Lighting, designed to help train the many thousands of people worldwide needed to advance the quantity and quality of S&L practice.
• In 2005 CLASP developed a survey instrument to help practitioners of S&L collect the home and business energy use necessary to design effective S&L programs.
• CLASP has developed, applied, and is continuously improving PAMS (Policy Analysis Modeling System), a policy calculator that simplifies and decreases the cost of analysis to set MEPS levels and calculate potential savings/benefit to the economy.
6. CLASP Maturation
CLASP was established as a partnership in the U.S. in 1999 and operated for the five years 2000 through 2004, supported by $9.4 million from 12 different donors. In 2005, CLASP completed its originally intended transformation into an independent global organization open to all willing and able participants. It now operates as a global non-profit corporation governed by 12 directors from eight countries in four continents.
Throughout the developing world, growth in the demand for power is straining an already inadequate energy infrastructure. World demand for major appliances and equipment-ranging from refrigerators and clothes washers in homes to copiers and lighting equipment in office buildings-is expected to continue its steady growth. Fossil fuel based power causes significant urban pollution and contributes to climate change, in both North and South countries. At the global level, studies of climate change strongly suggest that large reductions of global greenhouse gas emissions are needed to stabilize the climate. Emissions of greenhouse gases, which mostly originate from the use of fossil fuels, will have to be reduced by perhaps a factor of ten below projected emissions over the next century, if the global climate is to be stabilised. This poses a considerable challenge as presently 80 percent of the world's primary energy is from fossil fuels.
Without focused efforts to better utilise technology to reduce the energy consumption by appliances and equipment, electricity demand in the residential and commercial sectors will continue to outstrip supply in the developing world with serious resulting environmental and economic problems.
In any country, benefits of standards and labeling programs can start to accrue in as little as six years. However, ten years is a more likely timeframe, allowing for institutional capacity building and the required investments in manufacturing and regulatory infrastructure. Benefits will accrue over the following 10-30 years depending on product stock and rates of replacement. Thus, standards and labeling programs require a mid- to long-term perspective on energy policy. As of September 2004, 56 countries had implemented at least one voluntary or mandatory label or standard covering 81 different energy-consuming products. The challenge for the international energy efficiency and donor community is to highlight the successes of long-term investments in standards and labeling to better assist developing countries in the adoption of these programs as cornerstones of energy policy.
Partners Involved:
CLASP is designed to facilitate South-South and South-North exchanges among governments, industry, inter-governmental organizations, and technical support groups to transform the manufacture and sale of appliances, equipment and lighting worldwide. It is based on the concept of linking assistance providers and assistance recipients in partnerships with shared responsibilities. It facilitates the participation of North and South stakeholders with experience and expertise in energy efficiency standard-setting and labeling. CLASP participation is open to all stakeholders involved in energy efficiency standard-setting and labeling worldwide who can usefully contribute to the CLASP mission.
Within CLASP's four partnership categories, there are several six types of stakeholders, including:
Governments:
Approximately three dozen governments have already adopted an energy efficiency standard or label for at least one product. Several dozen more are in the process or actively considering doing so. Over three dozen countries have expressed an interest in a collaboration as proposed by the partnership, including: Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, the European Union, Ghana, Honduras, Israel, India, Japan, Korea, Maldives, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Poland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tunisia, Ukraine, United States and Uruguay.
Industry:
Appliance, equipment and lighting product manufacturers and their trade associations are invited and will likely participate in areas of competitive interest. Other parties in the production-distribution path are also invited. The International Copper Association has been actively engaged in the process of establishing energy efficiency standards for motors in several countries because those motors require greater use of copper windings; the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers participated in the preparation of the CLASP Guidebook on Energy Efficiency Labels and Standards; many industrial associations and equipment manufacturers are key stakeholders who participate in the standard setting process.
Intergovernmental organizations:
The United Nations and UN agencies (UNDESA, UNDP and UNIDO) are key partners in supporting energy standards and labeling programs around the world. DESA has been the lead UN implementing agency supporting pilot activities of the CLASP initiative and serves on the Board of Directors. DESA has recently supported energy efficiency standards training in six Arab countries, assessment of test facility upgrade potential in Egypt and is currently supporting the development of standards and labelling programs in China for lighting, refrigerators and solar collectors.
Other organizations collaborating in this initiative are the International Energy Agency of the OECD and the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI).
Non-governmental organizations:
NGOs involved in energy efficiency standard-setting and labeling are generally environmentally oriented. In the U.S., the Natural Resources Defense Council, the American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy, and the Alliance to Save Energy are involved in the related national regulatory procedures. NGO counterparts in all other countries are invited to participate.
Technical support groups:
The Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program (CLASP) is a partnership with the sole purpose of providing technical assistance to developing countries in their development of energy efficiency standard-setting and labeling programs. It has joined in partnership with the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI) for this mission. Other support organizations have participated and all are invited. For example, Mexico's Comision Nacional para el Ahorro de Energia (CONAE), China's National Institute for Standardization (CNIS), and technical support groups in Europe, Australia, Korea and Japan are teaming to provide national, regional and global support for this initiative.
CLASP is the product of growing international cooperation on energy standards and labeling programs. It also reflects the consensus that energy standards and labels are perhaps the most cost effective energy efficiency policy at the national level. A summary of key CLASP accomplishments to date is presented below.
1. Target: Increase participation in CLASP in up to 20 countries
Since 2002, CLASP has conducted work in Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, China, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, India, Mexico, Nepal, Poland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay. It has supported regional S&L projects in 30 additional countries. CLASP has provided support for 49 countries in the past four years.
2. Target: Support S&L programs that save 390 TWh of electricity per year and reduce total annual anthropogenic CO2 emissions by 2% by 2030 (360 MtCO2)
CLASP measures its success in terms of saved energy and reduced tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted. Saving energy reduces energy intensity. CLASP has assisted with the implementation of 21 new minimum energy performance standards, energy efficiency endorsement labels, and energy information labels that will save 90 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity and 86 megatonnes of CO2 (MtCO2) annually by 2014. Most of this savings is contributing to reducing energy intensity in China.
3. Partnerships
CLASP registered as a Sustainable Development Partnership with the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) in 2002. Since its incorporation in 2005, it is operating as a true global partnership. Upon its incorporation, CLASP established a formal collaboration of Sponsoring Partners who fund CLASP activities, Country Partners who are the recipients of CLASP services, Implementing Partners who provide CLASP services, and interested stakeholders as Affiliates.
Since registering with CSD, CLASP has partnered with three other CSD Sustainable Development Partnerships – Efficient Energy for Sustainable Development (EESD), Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), and Promoting and Energy-efficient Public Sector (PEPS). CLASP has also partnered with Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) by co-sponsoring the joint APEC-CLASP Energy Standards Information System (ESIS) website, a database with information on over 1700 standards.
4. Regional S&L Projects
In 2002, CLASP began working with UNDP-GEF to develop a series of regional projects to foster regional collaboration in S&L. In 2004, UNDP-GEF brought an S&L international expert to its staff full-time in order to further develop and coordinate this effort. As of the spring of 2006, UNDP-GEF's regional S&L initiative has projects underway in Central America, in the Andean region of South America, and in Southern Europe, with more such projects under development. Besides playing a key role in the development of the initiative, CLASP is providing several international experts to each of the three current projects.
5. S&L Tools
CLASP has developed four tools for policy makers and practitioners of S&L to facilitate their development and implementation of their S&L programs:
• CLASP maintains and keeps current a website making available comprehensive information about all aspects of S&L and its proponents.
• In 2005, CLASP published a second edition of Energy-Efficiency Labels and Standards: A Guidebook for Appliances, Equipment, and Lighting, designed to help train the many thousands of people worldwide needed to advance the quantity and quality of S&L practice.
• In 2005 CLASP developed a survey instrument to help practitioners of S&L collect the home and business energy use necessary to design effective S&L programs.
• CLASP has developed, applied, and is continuously improving PAMS (Policy Analysis Modeling System), a policy calculator that simplifies and decreases the cost of analysis to set MEPS levels and calculate potential savings/benefit to the economy.
6. CLASP Maturation
CLASP was established as a partnership in the U.S. in 1999 and operated for the five years 2000 through 2004, supported by $9.4 million from 12 different donors. In 2005, CLASP completed its originally intended transformation into an independent global organization open to all willing and able participants. It now operates as a global non-profit corporation governed by 12 directors from eight countries in four continents.