THEEurope is once again having to deal with the energy crisis and, this time, the response is coming from Brussels it touches our daily habits closelyfrom the way we work to how we move around the city. The new plan of the European Commission, called Accelerate Eu, was created, in fact, to respond to international tensions before they turn into unsustainable bills And in a new economic crisis. This is what the document that is causing discussion among governments across the continent provides, from smart working to public transport.
Smart working against the energy crisis, the EU recipe
There news that will most affect the routine of workers is the indication on smart workingor “agile working” from home. Those who thought that working from home was just a memory of the pandemic will have to think again. Brussels recommends that member states introduce at least one day a week of mandatory remote working. The objective is twofold: to reduce energy consumption linked to the heating and lighting of large public offices and, at the same time, reduce city traffic.
Public transport and car-free Sundays
Even leaving the house could become a different experience. Europe asks our cities to give us valid reasons to forget the car keys in the drawer. The idea is to fill the streets with buses and metro at very discounted pricesmaking the subscription much cheaper than a full tank of gas. There is also talk of re-proposing car-free Sundays and of go a little slower on the road to consume less. Ultimately, it is an invitation to rediscover the bicycle or a walk, transforming savings into a moment to take back our space.
Europe launches a strategy that combines agile working, discounted transport and housing bonuses. (Getty Images)
Taxation of extra profits
All correct advice and suggestions, although, however, one issue is causing a lot of discussion: the so-called extra profitsor the enormous profits that large companies selling gas and oil have made thanks to the increase in prices due to the war. In practice, these companies have grossed staggering amounts without doing anything different than usual. Many governments wanted to tax this “treasure” to use the money and help families in difficulty, but in the European plan this tax does not exist for now‘And. It is an absence that weighs heavily and makes many citizens feel a little less protected.
Energy vouchers and more efficient homes
For those who are already struggling, the proposal is to use energy vouchersthat is, vouchers to pay for electricity and gas. The real goal, however, is to change our homes so we no longer need them. Europe suggests helping us replace that old refrigerator or washing machine that consumes too much, and making it easier to put solar panels on the roof. It’s a way to make the house more autonomous: The less we depend on gas arriving from abroad, the less worried we will be when the mail arrives.
Energy crisis, who puts up the money?
The final question remains, which is always the same: what about the costs? Who pays for all this? Brussels has been clear: the funds we already have will be used, like the Pnrrthe large aid plan born after the pandemic). The idea is not to make new debts, but to spend what we have in cash better to redo the make-up of our cities, our jobs and our homes. A challenge that concerns us all And which promises to make our daily lives a little easier and hopefully less expensive.