Spain is reeling under extreme heatwave conditions like other countries in the West, and men there are learnt to have embraced a novel way to save energy. Even Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez proposed the move last week, as he asked people to give up wearing neckties at work to conserve energy, news agency Associated Press reported.
Sánchez addressed a news conference Friday wearing a blue jacket on top of a white shirt, which had its collar button open. He said his less-formal dress was not a casual Friday look but aimed to curb the use of energy, the AP report said. The PM did not spell out air-conditioners, but apparently meant that, according to the report.
“I’d like you to note that I am not wearing a tie. That means that we can all make savings from an energy point of view,” Sánchez was quoted as saying at the news conference that had been called to outline his government’s performance over the last one year.
“...if not necessary, don’t use a tie,” he claimed to have told his ministers, officials and people working in the private sector.
Heatwave In Spain
Europe has witnessed record-high temperatures over the past few weeks.
In parts of Spain, temperatures sometimes crossed 40 degrees Celsius. The Spanish government has requested people to not overuse air-conditioning.
With energy costs spiralling, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine only making matters worse, the Sánchez government has prepared a new energy-saving plan, which was presented on Monday evening.
Speaking to the media Friday, the PM had said the plan was designed to reduce utility bills, and also aims to cut dependency for energy on “the aggressor, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin”, according to the AP report mentioned above.
Spain’s economic relief measures more than 9 billion euros approved in June included reductions in electricity taxes.
Spain Not First To Ditch The Tie
Meanwhile, Spain’s ‘don’t use tie’ move is not the first such move to save energy. In 2011, Japan encouraged its office goers to wear cooler clothes in summer, as part of its "Super Cool Biz" campaign, according to a BBC report.
With the United Kingdom also experiencing sweltering temperatures, politicians in the country were recently allowed to be inside the House of Commons without their suit jackets, the report said.
Earlier this week, France introduced a rule for businesses to keep doors closed wherever possible to prevent air conditioning from escaping. The BBC report said the Sanchez government’s energy-saving plan includes a similar move in Spain.
In Germany’s Hanover city, public pools and sports centres are offering only cold showers.
All these measures are part of the European Commission's €210 billion plan to boost renewable energy, and also reduce the dependency on Russian gas after the Ukraine invasion.