“Saving energy must become a matter for the boss” – Reduction of energy consumption urgently needed in preparation for possible bottlenecks – Analysis sees massive savings potential
Vienna (OTS) – In view of the EU emergency plan, which is to be presented today in Brussels with binding energy saving targets, the environmental protection organization WWF Austria demands from Chancellor Karl Nehammer to convene an energy saving summit in the Chancellor’s Office. In addition to the responsible members of the federal government, the opposition parties, social partners and representatives of science and environmental protection organizations should also be invited. “A national effort is needed. The more energy we save now, the better we will be able to cope with future supply bottlenecks. That’s why the topic of energy saving must become a top priority in order to overcome the many brakemen in the state governments and in parts of the business community,” demands WWF program manager Hanna Simons. The most important thing, she says, is an immediate start to the energy-saving campaign announced for the fall, as well as immediate measures in the areas of transport, space heating and industry.
“It is not enough to hope for further gas supplies – we need binding measures now to reduce energy consumption and thus equip ourselves for the next winter,” says Hanna Simons. Long overdue, for example, are the legal phase-out of natural gas for heating and the Energy Efficiency Act, the new edition of which should have come into force 1.5 years ago. “In view of the combination of climate crisis and looming supply shortages, we must stop any waste of energy. With a smart mix of fast-acting as well as long-term measures, we can end our dependence on fossil energy imports in the medium term, in addition to preparing for possible shortages,” explains Hanna Simons of WWF.
According to a [current analysis] (https://bit.ly/3cuqtox), a reduction of our energy consumption by 5.9 billion kilowatt hours per year is possible in the short term; in the medium term, Austria’s energy demand can even be reduced by 45 percent – without any loss in quality of life or economic performance. The greatest potential lies in the areas of transportation, buildings and businesses. Examples include greater use of waste heat in industry, accelerating building renovation or lowering the speed limit on highways and open roads. WWF’s [Energy Saving Package] (https://bit.ly/3Pj8Gih) provides five measures to effectively reduce domestic consumption and ranges from energy efficiency legislation to a mobility turnaround.
Mag. Nikolai Moser, Head of Communications WWF Austria
+43 664 883 92 489, [email protected]
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