New Delhi, Sep 26 (IANS): The government has decided to provide energy efficient LED lights to villages during the 12th Five Year Plan, a power ministry official said Thursday.

Speaking at a workshop "The Transition to Efficient Lighting in South Asia", Arun Agarwal, an under secretary in the ministry, said: "The ministry has been providing access and promotion of efficient lightning through its arms such as Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) and Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)."

"One of the major initiatives is Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yogana (RGGVY). Keeping the efforts towards more efficient lighting, under this Yojana, the ministry proposes to provide LEDs in the 12th Plan," he said.

According to official figures, lighting accounts for approximately 15 percent of global electricity consumption and five percent of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.

Laura Fuller, communication officer, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said countries should follow an integrated policy approach to achieve a permanent and sustainable transition to efficient lighting.

"It should include minimum energy performance standards, supporting policies, monitoring, verification and enforcement activities, and the environmentally sound management of lighting products," she said.