April 07, 2022

Energy saving as the key to energy security – sufficiency as a strategy

One factor in the fight against climate change that has been underestimated to date is energy saving, i.e. energy sufficiency. However, the possibility of reducing CO2 emissions not only through the expansion of renewable energies, but also by actively reducing energy consumption, is increasingly coming to the fore. The war in Ukraine and the realization that our own energy security is dependent on fossil fuels gives this issue a further reason to become a central principle of political action. The Independent Institute for Environmental Issues is one of 40 initial signatories of an appeal from science and civil society calling for energy sufficiency to become a guiding principle.

 

Energy sufficiency has great potential

The potential for saving energy and thus reducing overall consumption is far from exhausted. Initial successes can already be achieved through changes in behavior. UfU has been teaching this for over 25 years in its energy-saving projects at schools throughout Germany. Together with pupils and teaching staff, the school is examined for this potential during the energy tour and on project days. This includes, for example, proper ventilation of indoor spaces, especially in winter, correctly set thermostats and energy-saving light bulbs and LED lamps. The appeal that has now been published highlights many other potential savings in the areas of transport, heating, public buildings, industry, agriculture and digitalization. Saving energy empowers citizens to play a direct role in the fight against climate change. It makes us more independent and more resilient against states that disregard human rights and requires comparatively little investment.

 

An energy efficiency policy is needed

The first signatories of this appeal call for energy sufficiency to be firmly anchored as a strategy in political action. After all, if citizens are to change their behavior and lifestyles, this is not possible without support from and with politicians. In addition to numerous educational offers, this also includes regulatory law, price signals and appropriate political communication.

Energy saving as the key to energy security - sufficiency as a strategy (PDF)

First signatory

  • Anja Bierwirth, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy
  • Almut Bonhage, Stefan Scheuer Consulting, Brussels
  • Dr. Benjamin Best, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy
  • Prof. Harald Bradke, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI
  • Klaus Breil, Member of the Bundestag (17th WP), Oberland Consulting, Member of the DENEFF Advisory Board, Bernried a. S.
  • Dr. Lars-Arvid Brischke, ifeu – Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg gGmbH
  • Dr. Jutta Deffner, ISOE – Institute for Social-Ecological Research, Frankfurt am Main
  • Dr. Elisabeth Dütschke, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI
  • Dr. Hartmut Ehmler, Scientists for Future
  • Prof. Wolfgang Eichhammer, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI
  • Prof. Dr. Manfred Fischedick, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy
  • Dr. Corinna Fischer, Öko-Institut e.V.
  • Prof. Dr. Doris Fuchs, Ph.D., Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
  • Carl-Otto Gensch, Öko-Institut e.V.
  • Dr. Konrad Götz, ISOE – Institute for Social-Ecological Research, Frankfurt am Main
  • Dr. Christoph Gran, ZOE Institute for Sustainable Economies
  • Prof. Dr. Rainer Grießhammer, University of Freiburg
  • Prof. Dr. Stefan Heiland, TU Berlin
  • Prof. Dr. Peter Hennicke, Wuppertal
  • Prof. Dr. Martin Jänicke, Environmental Policy Research Centre, FU Berlin
  • Leon Leuser, Jacques Delors Institute Paris
  • Dr. Sylvia Lorek, Sustainable Europe Research Institute, Germany e.V.
  • Prof. Dr. Kai Nagel, TU Berlin
  • Christian Noll, German Business Initiative for Energy Efficiency (DENEFF)
  • Prof. Dr. Pao-Yu Oei, European University of Flensburg
  • Prof. Dr. Flurina Schneider, ISOE – Institute for Social-Ecological Research, Frankfurt am Main
  • Prof. Dr. Ulf Schrader, TU Berlin
  • Dr. Joachim H. Spangenberg, Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board, German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation
  • Dr. Immanuel Stieß, ISOE – Institute for Social-Ecological Research, Frankfurt am Main
  • Dr. Stefan Thomas, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy
  • Prof. Dr. Christian Thorun, ConPolicy – Institute for Consumer Policy
  • Josephine Tröger, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI
  • Prof. Dr. Frauke Wiese, European University of Flensburg
  • Franziska Wolff, Öko-Institut e.V.
  • Prof. Dr. Angelika Zahrnt, Honorary Chairwoman, Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland e.V. (BUND)
  • Carina Zell-Ziegler, Öko-Institut e.V. Dr. Hans-Joachim Ziesing
  • Dr. Michael Zschiesche, UfU
  • Florian Kliche, UfU