The German Government today launched its campaign called “80 million, united in the energy change”, aimed at trying to turn its citizens into “energy savers”, both at home and in the workplace and with a catalog of tricks aimed to lower consumption. “It is not about smelling bad or showering less, but about doing it with energy efficiency in mind”affirmed the Minister of Economy and Climate, the green Robert Habeck, when presenting his campaign, accompanied by representatives of large industry and SMEs, as well as municipal powers.
The basic criterion is to move towards maximum energy efficiency, improve thermal insulation in the home -mainly in doors and windows-, preventing it from warming up in summer -with curtains or blinds- or without intending to spend the winter at summer temperatures, with central heating. excesses
“We invite all citizens to participate in the common goal, based on affordable efforts,” said Habeck, with the rank of deputy chancellor in the coalition between Social Democrats, Greens and Liberals led by Olaf Scholz.
Its catalog includes tricks to help citizens reduce energy consumption in the kitchen or personal hygiene. Cooking with the pan or pot covered reduces consumption by up to two thirds; a short, five-minute shower at a warmer temperature saves not only water, but also energy, etc.
Leaving the car at home in favor of cycling or public transport and slowing down, in case of resorting to a private vehicle, are determining factors in the objective set, while, if working at home, it is better to use the laptop – or even the tablet- than the desktop.
The advice of the Ministry and the business and industrial associations are divided into nine sections – hot water, heating and cooling, domestic tasks such as cooking and ironing, use of electrical appliances, DIY, medium-term savings, long-term savings and advice for companies –
There is no specific goal of total energy savings, although Habeck himself considered an indicative percentage “above 10%” of current consumption, in a country with 83 million inhabitants, although the campaign rounds them up to 80 million.
As a guide, it is recalled that 29% of the country’s total energy consumption corresponds to the private sphere. Each household could save 320 euros annually with an efficient use of energy, he adds, and the maximum savings potential is in heating and hot water, since 67% of a household’s consumption goes into this.
“The best energy is the one that is not consumed”, summarized Habeck, to later insist on the relevance of energy efficiency, especially given the urgent need to save consumption while progressing in reducing energy dependence on Russia.
INFLATION AND RUSSIAN GAS AS CHALLENGES
Habeck is, with six months in office, the second highest rated politician in the current government, only surpassed by the also green head of Foreign Affairs, Annalena Baerbock, and well ahead of Scholz. This is especially remarkable, since her Ministry has the hard task of finding quick alternatives to Russian gas, oil and coal.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Germany has managed to reduce its dependence on Russian gas from 55% to the current 35%. “We have a tough autumn and winter ahead of us”, alluding to the race against the clock, he said in the search for alternatives, but also to the rise in prices in the energy sector.
The German Government has already articulated a series of measures to alleviate the effects of the energy bill in households with low purchasing power, he recalled. Last March – that is, a month after the start of the Russian invasion – he presented a package to deal with the already strong rise in prices in the entire energy and fuel sector.
Direct aid was articulated for low-income families and citizens to offset heating costs, consisting of a payment of 270 euros for single-family homes, 350 euros, in the case of two people living together, plus 70 euros added for each additional person under the same roof.
Inflation is estimated to be 7.1% this year in Germany, according to the latest calculations by the Bundesbank, the central bank. Along with the objective of energy austerity “as a task for the entire country” is the will to “guarantee that winter does not strike low-income households,” said Habeck.
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