Turning the heating down by 1°C makes the Netherlands less dependent on Russian gas and helps Ukraine

In recent days, there has been a response to the war in Ukraine from all corners of society. Many people have a knot in their stomach due to the terrible events. In the first place, of course, because of the suffering the war is causing among Ukrainians. Also because, since the Second World War, this is the first armed conflict within Europe with a risk of spreading to European territory and beyond.

Russian gas

European governments have already imposed far-reaching sanctions on Russia. As citizens, we can also do something for Ukraine ourselves that requires little effort and at the same time ensures a lower energy bill. If everyone turns their heating down by 1°C at home, we will use roughly 1% less natural gas nationally. In doing so, we reduce our dependence on the Russian gas supplier Gazprom. The media has paid extensive attention to the role of Gazprom as the cash machine with which Russian President Putin pays for this war. So using less natural gas helps to turn that money tap off a bit. According to Zembla, 15% of Dutch gas consumption comes from Russia.

The gas consumption of an average Dutch household costs 104 euros per month, or 1248 euros per year, according to United Consumers. Dutch households can save 120 euros per year by turning the heating down one degree when they are at home, calculated Milieucentraal. That amounts to 9.6% less on households' annual gas bills, or over 1.2% less on overall Dutch energy consumption, to which households contribute 12.8% according to the Compendium van de Leefomgeving.

Gas from Groningen

Should the Netherlands be able to cancel the natural gas contracts with Gazprom, turning down the heating has a beneficial side effect. It prevents more gas from having to come from Groningen to compensate. After all, there is also a widespread desire in the Netherlands to turn the Groningen gas tap off rather than further open.

Less use of natural gas and other forms of energy also leads to fewer emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. The latest IPCC report shows that the consequences of climate change are becoming increasingly visible, triggering chain reactions that are increasingly difficult to reverse. So from that angle too, it is a good idea to use less gas.

On Milieucentraal's website, you will find various tips on how, by heating your home smartly, you can use less gas and thus reduce Dutch dependence on Gazprom.

Dependence on raw materials 

The current war in Ukraine exposes once again how dependent we as the Netherlands and Europe have become on foreign raw materials. Moreover, the extraction and processing of raw materials often leads to exploitation, social conflicts and damage to nature and the environment in the source regions. Through circular economy policies, which are actually just raw materials policies, the Netherlands and Europe are trying to reduce dependence on imported raw materials and the associated social, natural and environmental impacts.

Recycling Netwerk Benelux (RNB) is committed to better circular economy policies based on prevention, reuse and high-quality recycling. Plastic packaging is a recurring item because it is made from natural gas and oil, and often ends up as litter in the environment or in the plastic soup in the sea. Energy conservation is important in RNB's work, but is not a focus point. However, we would like to bring the above to your attention as a small but practical contribution that we ourselves can make as citizens. Every little helps, even in major conflicts like this one.

In recent days, there has been a response to the war in Ukraine from all corners of society. Many people have a knot in their stomach due to the terrible events. In the first place, of course, because of the suffering the war is causing among Ukrainians. Also because, since the Second World War, this is the first armed conflict within Europe with a risk of spreading to European territory and beyond.

Russian gas

European governments have already imposed far-reaching sanctions on Russia. As citizens, we can also do something for Ukraine ourselves that requires little effort and at the same time ensures a lower energy bill. If everyone turns their heating down by 1°C at home, we will use roughly 1% less natural gas nationally. In doing so, we reduce our dependence on the Russian gas supplier Gazprom. The media has paid extensive attention to the role of Gazprom as the cash machine with which Russian President Putin pays for this war. So using less natural gas helps to turn that money tap off a bit. According to Zembla, 15% of Dutch gas consumption comes from Russia.

The gas consumption of an average Dutch household costs 104 euros per month, or 1248 euros per year, according to United Consumers. Dutch households can save 120 euros per year by turning the heating down one degree when they are at home, calculated Milieucentraal. That amounts to 9.6% less on households' annual gas bills, or over 1.2% less on overall Dutch energy consumption, to which households contribute 12.8% according to the Compendium van de Leefomgeving.

Gas from Groningen

Should the Netherlands be able to cancel the natural gas contracts with Gazprom, turning down the heating has a beneficial side effect. It prevents more gas from having to come from Groningen to compensate. After all, there is also a widespread desire in the Netherlands to turn the Groningen gas tap off rather than further open.

Less use of natural gas and other forms of energy also leads to fewer emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. The latest IPCC report shows that the consequences of climate change are becoming increasingly visible, triggering chain reactions that are increasingly difficult to reverse. So from that angle too, it is a good idea to use less gas.

On Milieucentraal's website, you will find various tips on how, by heating your home smartly, you can use less gas and thus reduce Dutch dependence on Gazprom.

Dependence on raw materials

The current war in Ukraine exposes once again how dependent we as the Netherlands and Europe have become on foreign raw materials. Moreover, the extraction and processing of raw materials often leads to exploitation, social conflicts and damage to nature and the environment in the source regions. Through circular economy policies, which are actually just raw materials policies, the Netherlands and Europe are trying to reduce dependence on imported raw materials and the associated social, natural and environmental impacts.

Recycling Netwerk Benelux (RNB) is committed to better circular economy policies based on prevention, reuse and high-quality recycling. Plastic packaging is a recurring item because it is made from natural gas and oil, and often ends up as litter in the environment or in the plastic soup in the sea. Energy conservation is important in RNB's work, but is not a focus point. However, we would like to bring the above to your attention as a small but practical contribution that we ourselves can make as citizens. Every little helps, even in major conflicts like this one.