November 11 - International Energy Saving Day

In 2008, at the initiative of the participants of the International School Project for Resource and Energy Saving SPARE, November 11 was declared Energy Saving Day.

In order to draw public attention to the rational use of resources and the development of renewable energy sources, the Republic of Belarus supported and joined the celebration of the International Energy Saving Day. In 2020, the Republic of Belarus celebrates the International Energy Saving Day for the twelfth time.

Since the formation of the independent state – the Republic of Belarus – the issue of ensuring the country's development in conditions of a deficit of its own energy resources has become acute. Belarus was one of the most energy-intensive republics of the former USSR. The government of the republic decided that energy saving would become one of the development priorities. In April 1993, the Committee for Energy Saving and Energy Supervision under the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus was established. In June 1998, the Vitebsk Regional Department for Supervision of Rational Use of Fuel and Energy Resources began its work in the Vitebsk region. The authorized republican body in the field of energy saving is the Department for Energy Efficiency of the State Committee for Standardization of the Republic of Belarus, which carries out state management in the field of energy saving.

In order to implement the provisions of Directive of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 3 of 14.06.2007 "On Priority Directions for Strengthening the State's Economic Security", the Law of the Republic of Belarus No. 239-Z of 08.01.2015 "On Energy Saving", as well as in connection with the International Energy Saving Day on November 11, the Department for Energy Efficiency is initiating the republican information and educational campaign "Belarus – Energy Efficient Country" to be held from November 9 to 20, 2020.

It is very important that the legislatively enshrined state energy saving policy receives a response and as broad support as possible in society.

Energy conservation is a multifaceted process that encompasses various spheres of human activity. In essence, it is a way of life for a people, a society, which develops a certain psychological algorithm of behavior. The future of our country largely depends on the value foundations of behavior that are instilled in children's minds during the learning process. Undoubtedly, environmental education and upbringing, as well as the cultivation of careful resource management skills regarding the energy resources available to humanity, play a leading role in this process. The education system holds a leading position in this process.

The republican competition "Energy Marathon" carries the mission of forming an understanding of the importance of energy saving, energy efficiency, and the use of environmentally friendly energy sources among the younger generation. This competition has been held for 13 years by the Department for Energy Efficiency of the State Committee for Standardization of the Republic of Belarus.

The ideology of energy saving is aimed at improving the environmental situation in the country and the world.
Modern society consumes more and more energy, which is associated with the growth of the Earth's population, the modernization of their housing, and the scaling up of industrial production. Energy saving is not by chance considered one of the most serious challenges of the 21st century.

The relevance of the resource saving problem is recognized in all developed countries, as the position of states in the global market, and to a large extent the standard of living of the population, depends on its solution.

A key element of the global energy strategy in recent years has been the reduction and stabilization of energy production. Energy saving plays an important role in this strategy as an additional significant source of energy. Global experience shows that every three percent of saved energy can increase the national income by one percent, resulting in significant macroeconomic benefits.

The implementation of energy-saving policies allows for reduced energy consumption, enhanced national energy security, decreased environmental impact, and consequently, a reduced burden on the state budget, as well as improved economic efficiency and sustainability of the state.

The simplest energy-saving methods are accessible to everyone and can be applied in everyday life universally. Methodological recommendations, training manuals, as well as practical methods for efficient energy resource utilization in daily life can be found on the official website of the Department for Energy Efficiency.

Information provided by the Vitebsk Regional Inspectorate for the Rational Use of Fuel and Energy Resources.