Ukraine live updates: EU agrees to remove energy use restrictions to counter Moscow’s leverage

This month, temperatures in the UK hit a record 40.3 degrees Celsius, or 104.5 degrees Fahrenheit, the limit of terrible heat wave set Europe on fire and caused electricity demand to skyrocket.

It happened in the context of a war in Ukraine that was no observating global energy market.

The energy crisis prompted European Union nations to agree on Tuesday to reduce their gas consumption by 15 percent between now and next spring as officials prepare for Russia to cut natural gas supplies in the coming months.

Here are some things countries can do to limit energy demand and some of the potential pitfalls:

Regulating thermostats, starting in government buildings

Setting the air conditioner to just one degree Celsius, or about two degrees Fahrenheit, warmer can reduce electricity use by 10% a year, according to the International Energy Agency.

Nick Eyre, professor of climate and energy policy at the University of Oxford, says governments can set an example. The public, he noted, may not react well to politicians telling them how to live without changing themselves.

Adjust thermostats lower in winter by just one degree Celsius for buildings in Europe possible save up to 10 billion cubic meters of gasequivalent to Austria’s annual gas demand.

Reduce public transport costs

Worldwide, incentivizing public transport by making it cheaper and encouraging other mobility options, such as walking or cycling, could save about 330,000 barrels of oil used per day. , according to IEA.

That number could increase if employers also offer flexibility in working hours or allow more work-from-home days.

Several countries in Europe are already doing this. Starting in June and running until at least August, Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national rail company, offers an unlimited public transit pass for the equivalent of about $9 a month, like part of a plan to mitigate the effects of inflation. Ireland and Italy also cut public transport fares for certain groups, such as youth, students and workers.

One limitation: It won’t be particularly effective in rural areas without robust public transport.

Lower the speed limits and make them stick

In theory, reducing the speed limit on the highway could significantly reduce fuel consumption for cars and trucks, according to the report. a report from the International Energy Agency. Some countries and urban areas already have speed limits in place to reduce congestion and pollution.

The report said that if the speed limit on highways fell by at least 10 km/h, or about 6 mph, advanced economies could cut oil demand by at least 290,000 barrels per day.

In practice, however, it can be difficult to implement a national speed limit and get enough citizens on board to achieve significant results. The United States tried to do just that in 1974, introducing the national speed limit is 55 miles per hour for cars, buses and trucks after OPEC cut oil supplies to the country, it is estimated that the cap could save 200,000 barrels of gasoline per day. Some European countries also reduced the speed limit.

At the time, officials believed that the limit would reduce gasoline consumption by 2.2%, but actual gasoline demand remained relatively stable in the following years. Motorists have flouted the law, and some states that oppose it offer only modest fines of $5 to $15 to those caught speeding.

Proper execution of outreach campaigns

Well-designed public awareness campaigns can motivate people to take steps to reduce their own energy use, but poorly designed campaigns fail to find the right tone and color. The right message can fall apart.

Some energy conservation campaigns are more successful when they highlight how people can save money with their actions; others do better when they adopt an environmental approach or make a moral appeal to good citizenship. In many cases, governments can leverage social media to tailor different messages to different audiences.

It is important not only to think about the message and how it is delivered, but also about the messenger. If people don’t see the government as a trustworthy authority, they’ll be less likely to believe the message, an IEA report said.

The best campaigns strike a balance between urgency and agency.

“You can’t just put information out there and expect people to change their behavior overnight,” said Brian Motherway, head of energy efficiency at the International Energy Agency. If you hire behavioral scientists and communications experts, he says, and take the time to design a targeted campaign, “you can really get it right.”

“You can find ways to engage with citizens in a way that really empowers them and motivates them to take action.”