As Europe prepares for severe disruptions in the natural gas supply from Russia, governments are trying to come up with strategies to cut demand by 15% by next March.  Marco de Benedictis/Shutterstock

As Europe prepares for severe disruptions in the natural gas supply from Russia, governments are trying to come up with strategies to cut demand by 15% by next March.  Marco de Benedictis/Shutterstock

The ministry of energy and spatial planning on Monday published a rather vague outline of how it proposes to tackle the energy crisis and meet a target to reduce natural gas demand by 15% by 31 March 2023.

The move follows last week’s EU Council meeting of energy ministers at which member states agreed to the 15% reduction on a voluntary basis as Europe prepares for severe disruptions in the natural gas supply from Russia.

The ministry of energy and spatial planning says its initial four-pronged approach involves “the whole of society” including the state, local councils, private citizens and business. Working with the ministry of mobility and public works, the energy ministry is developing clear instructions for more energy-efficient management of public buildings and will send out a circular to all departments.

Local councils who have signed up to the so-called Climate Pact will continue to make improvements in energy efficiency, the ministry says. Another circular, titled “vigilance on energy consumption--energy saving” will outline concrete measures of energy sobriety that can be taken in the context of various communal activities. In addition, a webinar with the Klima-Agence on 8 September will provide communes with more details on the national campaign. The ministry has also reached out to the employers’ association UEL, industrial federation FEDIL, and professional chambers to “identify the potential to reduce energy consumption and to develop an awareness strategy for their members.”

Furthermore, in September, the government will be presenting a comprehensive national education and awareness campaign to encourage everyone to save energy. The government says it will also strengthen its efforts to develop renewable energy.

Energy saving tips are already available on a .