German NGOs call for clear energy saving rules modelled on Spanish scheme

NGOs including Greenpeace and Environmental Action Germany (DUH) have called on the German government to follow Spain’s lead in setting legal cooling and heating limitations and reduce energy consumption in the current supply crisis. This week the Spanish government announced new energy-saving measures, including laws on air conditioning and heating temperatures in public and large commercial buildings. The decree will come into effect from next week and sets minimum air conditioning temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius and a heating temperature upper-limit of 19 degrees Celsius, which will be place until at least November 2023.

DUH’s managing director Sascha Müller-Kraenner told media outlet RND e that the German government “must now follow suit (of Spain) without fail and put an end to the wasteful use of energy in this country.” He called Spain’s measures “exactly the right decision in view of the energy emergency and the climate crisis.” National radio broadcasterDeutschlandfunk reported that Greenpeace also called for companies and public institutions to be included in energy-saving efforts. Greenpeace Germany‘s executive director,  Martin Kaiser, has appealed to the German government to make the energy security package suggestions mandatory, not voluntary.

The German government has already announced a scheme for renovating old, energy-inefficient buildings to help reduce energy demands this winter. Landmarks in Berlin and Munich will also no longer be lit up at night or outside of visitor hours, as part of energy-saving efforts.