Business and environmental movements demand energy-saving measures from Flemish government

In an open letter, the business community and environmental movements are asking the Flemish government to push for energy-saving measures. "This way we protect vulnerable households and show solidarity with other member states and Ukraine."

The quickest and most efficient way to calm runaway energy markets is to reduce demand, it sound. The organisations, which include Bond Beter Leefmilieu, Dialoog vzw, Energiebesparingspioniers, Greenpeace and Organisatie voor Duurzame Energie-Vlaanderen, are therefore formulating four short-term measures to ensure major energy savings without significant loss of comfort.

For instance, they call for limiting temperatures in public buildings to 19 degrees as well as switching off street, building and advertising lights at night. Furthermore, they call for a campaign around energy-efficient tuning of heating systems, which can save 10 to 20 percent on gas demand for heating. Finally, they also call for active guidance on renovation works and energy-saving measures.

The organisations also formulate a number of long-term measures. These include, for example, greening heat demand and the "degradation" of public buildings.

The signatories call on Flanders to lead by example on energy saving. "This is not only a strong signal to citizens and industries that this is a crisis situation and everyone will have to do their bit, but also to the energy markets. Announcing strong structural measures can have a reassuring effect on the market and counter speculation," Angelos Koutsis of Bond Beter Leefmilieu concluded.

(AHU)

#FlandersNewsService

© BELGA PHOTO LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ - Flemish Minister President Jan Jambon pictured during a press conference after a meeting of the consultative committee with ministers of the Federal government, the regional governments and the community governments, Wednesday 31 August 2022 in Brussels. The committee will discuss the rise of energy prices.