Background information

This campaign aims to raise awareness of the need to save energy. It was launched in early April, and relaunched in autumn 2022, in response to the rising energy costs resulting from the war in Ukraine. A majority of people say they have already taken or plan to take energy-saving measures, both short-term (79%) and long-term (60%). As the campaign explains, saving energy not only reduces costs, it also reduces demand, which will help calm the energy market.

Content of measure

This information campaign offers advice to households and businesses on how to save energy. It also aims to raise awareness on the issue of energy consumption in general. The campaign is visible on TV, radio, in newspapers, on websites and on social media. It shares information on how to save energy, such as: putting the thermostat to a maximum of 19 degrees Celsius during the day and 15 degrees in the evening, shower for a maximum of 5 minutes, installing LED lighting etc. This is an information campaign and does not contain any monetary support offered to households and business. However, campaign advertisement refer to available support by the government for energy reduction incentives.

Use of measure

In the winter of 2022-2023, the Netherlands used 30% less gas than in the past five years. This reduction may be credited to the positive impacts of this campaign, as well as the decrease in energy consumption due to high energy prices and the warmer winter temperatures.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Applies to all workers	Applies to all businesses	Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

No involvement.

Views and reactions

Unknown.

Sources

• 17 October 2022: Hernieuwde ‘Zet ook de knop om’-campagne biedt tips om energiezuinig de winter door te komen (www.rijksoverheid.nl)