World Energy Saving Day 2024
World Energy Saving Day: Raising awareness and reducing energy waste
World Energy Saving Day is celebrated on 21 October and aims to promote the importance of energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption. Raising awareness among businesses, governments and society at large about the need to adopt practices that reduce energy consumption and minimise environmental impact is essential.
At the initiative of the World Energy Forum, World Energy Saving Day has been celebrated worldwide on 21 October since 2012. Its main purpose is to raise people’s awareness about the growing importance of energy efficiency and the need to reduce our daily energy consumption. This date was chosen to highlight the direct link between the conscious use of energy and its benefits, both for the environment and the global economy.
Although renewable sources continue to increase across the globe, energy consumption has a significant and undeniable impact on the planet since energy generation still relies heavily on non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases and contribute to climate change. Encouraging practices that reduce energy consumption is therefore crucial to mitigate those effects.
The celebration of World Energy Saving Day also seeks to encourage the adoption of technologies and practices that improve energy efficiency, such as technological innovations in renewable energy systems, improved building insulation or the implementation of smart solutions to manage energy consumption. This not only helps to reduce the environmental impact but can also lead to major savings for households and businesses. The importance of cooperation between countries, companies and non-governmental organisations to develop effective global strategies to promote energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact should also be highlighted.
Measures to promote energy savings
World Energy Saving Day should focus above all on the importance of small, everyday actions that can have a considerable impact if taken on a large scale. This is why the International Energy Agency and the European Commission have identified a number of simple measures designed to reduce energy consumption and save money, as well as significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels.
Temperature control
According to the European Commission, the average temperature in European households is 22ºC. Lowering the thermostat by just one degree could reduce heating energy consumption by about 7%. The same can be done in summer with air conditioning by raising the temperature by one degree, which would reduce electricity consumption by almost 10%. This measure can be used successfully in households and also in public buildings and businesses.
The energy label
If you are going to buy a household appliance or any kind of electronic device, make sure to look at the energy label. Since 2021, this label uses a scale of A - the most energy efficient - to G - the least. These labels let shoppers know in a straight-forward way how much energy a product consumes.
Repair before replacing
The right to repair makes it easier to fix products rather than replace them. In March 2023, the European Commission adopted new rules to make repairing a product a more accessible and cheaper option than buying a new one, both during and after the warranty period. This not only prolongs products’ lives, but also reduces waste.
Saving energy on the move
Most car journeys are for commuting to work even though, according to the European Commission, more than a third of jobs in Europe could be done from home. Offering the option of working remotely at least three days a week can reduce fuel consumption and save money. Other options include carpooling, as many of these trips are made by just one person, or using public transport.
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Iberdrola and energy efficiency
At the Iberdrola Group, we are very aware of the importance of efficient energy management throughout the energy chain, so we act to optimise its use while contributing to more efficient use by consumers through information, training, and the supply of solutions and technologies. We therefore look at energy efficiency from three perspectives:
- As an electricity company, we seek to improve efficiency through cutting-edge technologies and equipment in generation, transmission and distribution, as well as in the reduction of auxiliary and cooling water consumption.
- As an electricity supplier, we want to contribute to more efficient energy use by consumers, informing, educating and providing them with solutions that help them to improve their efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of their habits.
- As an energy-consuming company, we drive continuous improvement in energy efficiency in all our activities (offices and buildings, vehicles, water, mobility, employee awareness, etc.).