Skyrocketing energy prices are squeezing business and household budgets while funding Putin’s atrocities in Ukraine. In response, mayors and cities across Europe are embarking on a bottom-up campaign to harness the most immediate and inexpensive solution possible – energy saving.

Yesterday the European Commission released the “Save gas for a safe winter”, a strategy to reduce demand for natural gas in order to balance the supply gap from Russia in the event of further declining imports or complete cut offs. The plan recommends Member States to decrease their usual gas consumption by 15% through energy savings in buildings, electricity generation and industrial activities. As part of the effort to reduce Europe’s fossil reliance on Russia, the European Commission recognises the role of cities and municipalities in pursuing the vision for energy independence and refers to the Cities Energy Saving Sprint as a significant initiative to drive down demand for winter and prevent disruptions. A factsheet on how cities can reduce Russian gas dependency, together with examples of municipalities taking action, complements the European Commission’s strategy.

As part of REPowerEU, the Commission has put forward the EU ‘Save Energy Plan’ which also sets out a wide range of short-term measures that Member States can take to incentivise actions that will also bring immediate gas savings (such as turning down heating, servicing and reducing temperature of boilers). The Commission also continues to work with local actors in spreading these messages, for example with the ‘Energy Savings Sprint’ campaign together with the Covenant of Mayors. These measures can also be implemented by cities, including via the 100 Climate Neutral Cities Mission.” – European Commission, Save gas for a safe winter.

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