France launches public energy efficiency campaigns

The French government is launching an “energy sobriety” drive designed to reduce the country’s energy use by 10% over the next two years.

It is part of a “general mobilisation” to cope with the ongoing energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, while also putting the country on the path to long-term savings to combat climate change.

The government has named 15 energy saving measures, from reducing heating to a maximum of 19°C in offices to encouraging people to carpool. The plan also includes specific measures across a number of sectors, including local authorities, businesses, hospitality, retail, transport, etc.

To set an example, the government has set aside €150 million to ensure that boilers are checked for performance and thermostats installed in government buildings. It has also decided to cut hot water in these buildings.

French residents will be encouraged to make changes at home, including only using electrical appliances – like dishwashers and washing machines – outside of peak hours, unplugging computers and TVs when not in use, and taking shorter showers.

Energy efficiency advice is being packaged in a campaign called ‘Every gesture counts’, urging people to do their part to cut national consumption.

Other European countries are implementing similar policies, with the Netherlands calling on residents to take shorter showers, Finland asking people to spend less time on electronic devices, and Germany cutting the lights to many of its monuments.

In contrast to its neighbours on the continent, the UK has decided to forego public information campaigns on how they can save energy and help the nation get through a difficult winter ahead. Prime Minister Liz Truss has said she is ideologically opposed to the idea, and mentioned something about the ‘nanny state’.

At the same time, National Grid has announced the possibility of UK households losing power for up to three hours at a time this winter if gas supplies run extremely low.