Four Things Nations Can Do to Conserve Energy
This month, temperatures in Britain reached a record 40.3 degrees Celsius, or 104.5 Fahrenheit, capping a brutal heat wave that scorched Europe and sent electricity demand soaring.

It came amid a war in Ukraine that has upended the global energy market.

The energy crunch prompted European Union nations to agree on Tuesday to reduce their gas consumption by 15 percent between now and next spring as officials prepare for Russia to cut deliveries of natural gas in the coming months.

Here are of some of the things countries could do to curb energy demand, and some of the potential pitfalls:

Adjust thermostats, starting in government buildings

Setting an air-conditioner just one degree Celsius, or about two degrees Fahrenheit, warmer could reduce the amount of electricity used by 10 percent a year, according to the International Energy Agency.