The 14th edition of the Sustainable Energy Week - the largest event dedicated to renewable energy and the efficient use of energy in Europe - will be held from 17 to 21 June, 2019. The week is an initiative of the European Commission (Directorate-General Energy and the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises of the European Commission). The theme for this year is To Shape the Energy Future of Europe Together. Since 2006, the Sustainable Energy Week has been a platform for formulating and discussing new ideas; it sheds light on the work done by local authorities, business, citizens, NGOs, etc.; and it also brings together politicians, stakeholders and citizens to achieve the climate and energy objectives of the Energy Union.

Energy days show citizens and businesses why sustainable energy is important and why all efforts are worthwhile. Sofia Municipality supports this campaign by calling for environmentally-friendly behaviour for reducing our energy consumption and carbon footprint in everyday life with the following interesting facts:

 

Building energy consumption has risen by 30% since 1970 due to the increase in housing (+ 41% over 30 years) and higher demand of household utensils, lighting and air conditioning.

 

Buildings have an important role in energy efficiency - they consume 40% of the total energy consumed, of which 75% are for heating and cooling and only 25% for hot water, electricity and appliances.

Buildings loose most energy through walls (30-40%), windows (20-25%) and roofs (15-20%). Investing in thermal insulation and replacement of windows have the greatest positive impact on energy consumption in buildings and increase the comfort of living.

Turning off one fluorescent lamp for whole day saves 30 kg of carbon dioxide. This is the equivalent of the absorbed carbon dioxide by one tree and a half.

Replacing 5 light bulbs with low energy consumption bulbs will result in an annual reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 340 kg - as much as 34 trees absorb for one year.

 

Using multiple bulbs on a single luminaire has less output than using one bulb. For example, six 25W halogen bulbs compared to one of 100W provide the same illumination but consume 50% more energy.

 

More information about events organized by the EC can be found at https://www.eusew.eu/ .