The public administration and companies are called upon to set an example when it comes to reducing energy consumption
French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that France is preparing “an energy sobriety plan” in anticipation that Russia decides to completely cut off the gas tap to Europe in the coming months. The president urged citizens to “general mobilization” and asked them to reduce their energy consumption from now on so as not to depend so much on Moscow.
The French administration and companies are called upon to set an example when it comes to reducing energy consumption, so that the economy does not have to stop this winter due to lack of energy supply. “We are already beginning to consume a little less, it is the hunt for waste,” said the president in an interview with the public television channels TF1 and France 2, on the occasion of the French national holiday.
Macron warned that the war in Ukraine “will last” and that this will have consequences for Europeans. “Russia uses energy as she uses food, as a weapon of war,” warned the Elysée tenant after the traditional military parade down the Champs-Élysées.
From the gardens of the Elysee Palace, the president urged his compatriots to prepare for “a scenario of total gas cut-off by Russia” in the coming months, something that he considers “likely” to happen. For this reason, the Government is preparing “a (energy) sobriety plan with specified objectives.” «I am going to ask from now on the administrations and all the companies that consume less. We are going to build a plan and try to be careful with night lighting,” added Macron, who believes that the Gauls must “collectively enter into a logic of sobriety.”
10% reduction
According to the BFMTV television channel, the plan, which will be presented in September, will set the goal of reducing energy consumption by 10% by 2024, both in electricity, gas and fuel.
Macron recalled that “France, thanks to its energy model, is not very dependent on Russian gas”, since before the crisis it bought 17% of what it consumed. But he considered that, in any case, it is necessary to diversify the supply looking for other supplier countries and reconstitute the reserves to be able to face an eventual supply cut.
On the other hand, the president announced that the discussion on the controversial pension reform should begin in September so that it can enter into force in the summer of 2023.
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