Fears of a possible shutdown of Russian gas supplies have led some European countries today to ask their citizens to consume less energy, a move that could potentially yield significant results.
Although energy prices have been rising for months, most governments have refrained from taking unpopular measures, but for fear that Russia will turn off the tap, the message in some capitals is beginning to change.
“Every kilowatt hour counts,” said German Economy Minister Robert Habeck, whose country has launched the first level of an emergency plan to manage gas supplies in preparation for disrupting or shutting down gas supplies from Russia. .
The Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) agrees that reducing consumption, this small change in consumer behavior, if done on a large scale could significantly reduce gas and oil demand. He estimates that if thermostats in buildings across the European Union were set 2 degrees Celsius lower, they could save 20 billion cubic meters of gas – which at current prices cost about $ 28 billion. This is also 13% of the 155 billion cubic meters that the EU buys from Russia each year, or 40% of the bloc’s total consumption.
After Germany and Austria launched the emergency plan for the possibility of gas shortages, while the Dutch government announced that it will launch a campaign this weekend, urging citizens and businesses to consume less gas. The French regulator has already asked citizens to try to reduce consumption.
Simone Taliapietra, of the Bruegel Research Institute, said governments should have been urging citizens to cut energy for months, but politicians were hesitant because such a message “smells austerity”.
“Every billion cubic meters of gas we do not consume is important. “This gas is very expensive and now we have to start stockpiling for next winter.”
Choice theme
Instead of asking consumers to reduce the energy they use, governments are mainly looking at ways to reduce bills and find alternative fuel sources. Sweden, France, Italy, Germany and Britain have announced measures to make oil cheaper, which this month hit its highest price since 2008.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Brussels considers it its mission to reduce Russian gas imports by two-thirds this year and to suspend its use from 2027.
Reducing demand could simultaneously reduce the effects of a possible reduction in supplies if Russia cuts exports. This fear intensified after Moscow said last week that “unfriendly” countries should pay for gas in rubles, not dollars or euros. A detailed European plan for the EU’s decoupling from Russian fossil fuels is expected to be unveiled in May. A draft that has come to light these days shows that Brussels wants to boost gas imports from other countries, promote renewable energy and renovate buildings to consume less energy.
It will take time to implement these solutions, however, and the European Union has already said that consumers could help reduce demand immediately. “By making choices about the amount of energy you consume, you are helping us decide together how strong our response will be to Russia,” said Climate Change Commissioner Franz Timmermans recently.
Certain habits, such as turning off lights and appliances or limiting the operation of air conditioners, can also help reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Christina Demsky, an energy-consumption behaviorist at Cardiff University School of Psychology, said the tough bills, as well as the desire of many to show solidarity with Ukraine, could mean that Europeans would be more receptive to the message. “People are more likely to make behavioral changes when you ask them to do something that reflects their values,” he said. At the same time, however, he pointed out that the request for a change in behavior should not be addressed to “vulnerable households” who do not have the ability to adjust their consumption or who are already having difficulty paying their bills.
Few countries are discussing ways to reduce oil consumption, even though Russian crude imports account for 27% of the total in the EU. Denmark is considering a proposal to temporarily reduce speed limits on motorways. Irish Transport Minister Eamon Ryan also said driving slower could save fuel.
Last week, the IEA released a number of “options” that it says would reduce oil demand in developed economies by 2.7 million barrels per day (bpd) over four months. Most of these choices involve changing consumer behavior.
Reducing speed limits by 10 km / h would save 290,000 bpd from cars and 140,000 bpd from trucks. Working from home for three days a week would reduce demand by 500,000 bpd while other practices, such as commuting, would help save 470,000 bpd.
Some governments are resisting. Britain, which is no longer an EU member, rejected the IEA’s ideas. Instead, it intends to replace 8% of oil imports from Russia by finding alternative suppliers. “There is absolutely no reason to implement these directives in the UK,” said a government spokesman.
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