This is lesson twelve of the second module of EUPress Teacher Training. The module covers the macro topic of “Energy, Climate Change, and Environment”.
The lesson provides suggestions on how to save energy, money, and protect the climate by reducing CO2 emissions.
Households are responsible for nearly a quarter of the EU’s direct CO₂ emissions, and three-quarters of their energy use comes from heating and cooling. But according to the EU’s climate outreach efforts, everyday choices in our homes, kitchens, and shopping baskets can significantly reduce emissions — and save money.
In a practical video lesson from the EUPress series on the European Green Deal, a set of “climate tips” walks citizens through common-sense ways to make daily life more environmentally friendly without requiring major investments.
Cut heat loss, save energy
Heating and cooling are among the biggest energy drains in the home — but there are immediate fixes:
- Keep your boiler at 60°C for efficiency and hygiene.
- Use thermostats wisely — turning them up won’t heat rooms faster.
- Install double glazing or use heavy curtains to retain heat.
- Seal doors, keyholes, and window frames to stop cold air leakage.
- Use fans instead of air conditioning in summer when possible.
The EU notes that double-glazed windows lose 50–70% less heat than single-glazed ones.
Smarter kitchens, smarter bills
When it comes to appliances, energy labels matter:
- An A+++ dishwasher can use half the energy of a D-rated one.
- Replacing an old oven with an A-rated model can save €200 over its lifetime.
- Eco-friendly dishwashers use less water and energy than washing by hand.
- Boil only the water you need — reboiling wastes energy.
And avoiding tumble dryers can cut energy use by half compared to a standard wash cycle.
Lighting and standby power: low effort, big gain
- Replacing all bulbs with LEDs can save over €100 in electricity per bulb over 20 years.
- Old devices left on standby (TVs, printers, consoles) can use up to 80 watts. A single power strip can shut them off in one click.
Interested in renewables? Many EU suppliers now offer green energy tariffs, and rooftop solar panels are increasingly accessible.
Rethink how you shop — and eat
The climate impact of food and consumer goods is often overlooked:
- Flying food emits 1,700 times more CO₂ than trucking it locally.
- Forest clearing for packaging and commodities drives 20% of global CO₂ emissions.
- Reducing waste is key: buy only what you need, reuse leftovers, and wash fruit and vegetables in a bowl — using the water for plants.
Switching diets makes a major difference too. Choosing chicken instead of beef can cut your meal’s carbon footprint by up to 75%.
Small steps can’t “solve” climate change — but they do add up. And as the EU works on sweeping reforms under the Green Deal, household action is one way citizens can directly take part in Europe’s climate transition.
