EC calls for 15% reduction in gas consumption in Europe

The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled proposals for member states to reduce their gas consumption by 15 percent from Aug. 1 till the end of March 2023, reported Xinhua.

The plan, named "Save Gas for a Safe Winter," calls on governments to campaign for households to lower the thermostat, limit heating or cooling in public buildings, and give industry incentives to use alternative fuels where possible or reduce gas consumption.

The commission said in a statement that it will accelerate work on supply diversification, including joint purchase of gas to strengthen the EU's possibility of sourcing alternative gas deliveries.

"The flow of Russian gas is now less than one-third of what it used to be, for example, at the same time last year," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday.

"This is why it is important that all member states now contribute in the saving, the storing, and are ready to share gas with other neighbors in case of energy solidarity," she added.

"By substituting gas with other fuels and saving energy this summer, more gas can be stored for winter. Acting now will reduce the negative GDP impact, by avoiding unplanned actions in a crisis situation later," read the commission's statement.