Resources

The Cities Energy Saving Sprint toolkit provides guidance on emergency energy-saving measures for local authorities, helping them adapt infrastructures and services to reduce energy consumption. It focuses on four main areas: heating, lighting, mobility, and communication. It is a resource developed as part of a joint initiative by the European Commission, the EU Covenant of Mayors, and the European Committee of the Regions, launched in response to the energy crisis in Europe and is aligned with the REPowerEU Plan.

Read the toolkit here, or check out the summary below.

Heating

In terms of heating, adjusting indoor temperatures can lead to significant energy savings, with even a small reduction of 1°C saving up to 10% in energy use. Public spaces such as offices, waiting rooms, and service areas should be kept at temperatures ranging from 12°C to 19°C, depending on the function of the space.

Special considerations are needed for places like schools, hospitals, and cultural buildings, where specific temperature settings are required to protect vulnerable people or historical artefacts. Regular maintenance of heating systems, including smart thermostats, boiler check-ups, and radiator bleeding, ensures efficient performance. Simple insulation solutions like covering pipes and placing reflective foils behind radiators can further reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency.

Lighting

Lighting systems should be adapted according to seasonal changes and weather patterns to reduce unnecessary energy use. Street lighting can be delayed until sunset, dimmed or switched off during parts of the night, while floodlighting for public buildings can be reduced after certain hours.

Festive lighting should be limited to eight hours a day, and energy-efficient solutions like LED bulbs can cut electricity use by up to 75%. While these investments might take a few years to pay off, they provide long-term savings. Installing motion and ambient light sensors in public areas can further optimise energy use by adjusting lighting based on activity and natural light conditions.

Mobility

Mobility is more complex, with energy savings in public transport needing to be balanced against maintaining accessibility for residents. Subsidising public transport and promoting car-free days or low-speed zones can encourage people to use public transport instead of cars.

Reducing inner-city speed limits to 30 km/h and setting 80 km/h limits in outer areas can increase fuel efficiency and promote a switch to more energy-efficient forms of travel. Encouraging carpooling and soft mobility options like walking and cycling further contributes to reducing urban energy consumption.

Communication

Communication and campaigning are essential for involving the wider community in energy-saving efforts. While public administrations account for a small share of overall energy consumption, they can lead by example and engage residents, businesses, and vulnerable groups through awareness campaigns.

These campaigns should aim to reduce the financial burden of energy bills and encourage sustainable habits, with targeted advice for homeowners and businesses. Partnering with local organisations like chambers of commerce can facilitate outreach and provide tailored support. Examples include international campaigns by the International Energy Agency and local efforts like Codema’s guidelines for energy savings in Dublin homes.

For more detailed information, check out the whole toolkit here.