Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez authorized a more casual dress attire for ministers and public officials Friday, urging all of Spain to wear fewer clothes to combat Europe’s escalating energy crisis.
Sanchez suggested the country’s workers should dress cooler after air conditioning use skyrocketed during Europe’s heatwave earlier in July, causing energy demands that aren’t sustainable under Europe’s current green energy power system, Reuters reported.
“I have asked ministers, all public officials, and I would like to ask the private sector too, if they haven’t already done so, not to wear a tie when it isn’t necessary,” said Sanchez, according to Reuters. “That way we will be confronting the energy saving that is so important in our country.”
“I’d like you all to note that I am not wearing a tie,” Sanchez added. “This means we can all save from an energy point of view.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez asked his ministers, public officials and private sector employees on Friday to stop wearing ties and stay cool as heatwaves sweep parts of Europe, stoking demand for energy-guzzling air-conditioning. https://t.co/HKGbs5iu6B
— Reuters Science News (@ReutersScience) July 29, 2022
Sanchez announced the government will release new efficiency and energy-saving emergency measures in light of Russian President Vladimir Putin restricting Russian oil and gas supply to Europe, Reuters reported. (RELATED: Putin Promises To Keep The Gas Flowing To Europe — For Now)
European Union members agreed July 20 to cut gas usage over the next eight months, including into the winter months, in case Russia shuts off natural gas flows in retaliation for the global sanctions from the Ukraine war.
Most countries will be required to cut gas consumption by 15% starting in January.
Putin warned that future delays in oil and gas deliveries to Europe should be expected if the continent continues to receive global sanctions from Russia’s war in Ukraine that cause delays in pipeline maintenance.
Gazprom, a state-run Russian oil and gas company, already announced that Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany would be reduced to 20% maximum capacity. Putin promised that despite current issues, Russia would continue to deliver 40% of the EU’s gas.
