With the current trends of energy consumption, the need of the Earth's population for energy by 2040 will have increased by 32%, and for electricity – by 70%. The use of energy represents by far the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities and is considered to foster the climate change. Belarus supports the collective efforts of the states under the Paris Climate Agreement and in 2021 updated its nationally determined contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 35% of 1990 emission levels.

Belarus’ residential sector consumes 21% of electricity and approximately 45% of all heat energy in the country and is responsible for 1/3 of all CO₂ emissions. Additionally, the residential sector accounts for 39% of the total water consumption in the country. Responsible consumption of energy resources has several tangible benefits, both for the planet, since CO₂ emissions are reduced, and for people, where it is the air pollution, which is lowered, while the energy security is increased. Anyone can contribute. Introducing practices and behavior models of responsible consumption of heat and electricity will help people to decrease the irrational consumption of energy resources.

The UNDP in Belarus Accelerator Lab has come up with creative, innovative solutions to encourage responsible energy consumption among tenants in multi-apartment building. These initiatives became the mainstay for a joint experiment run by the Laboratory and the Ministry of Housing and Communal Services of the Republic of Belarus, launched in November 2021 in two residential apartment buildings in Novogrudok. The experiment contributes to the implementation of the State Programme "Comfortable Housing and Enabling Environment 2021-2025" and also reflects the priorities outlined in the State Programme "Energy Saving" for 2021-2025.

It was not by random that these two buildings were selected for the experiment. Earlier, the houses were equipped with smart energy metering systems that allow the tenants in 55 apartments to monitor in real time their consumption of electricity, heat and water. The improvement was part of the bigger UNDP and the Ministry of Environment “Green Cities” project, which was funded by the Global Environment Facility (the GEF).  

In order for the tenants to not only to keep track of their their expenses, but also get the motivation to reduce them, and most importantly, know how to do so, the organizers of the experiment launched information and training campaign based on behavioral methods to stimulate responsible consumption and lower energy bills. The experiment invites the tenants make a monthly comparison of the actual energy consumption in a separate apartment with the average consumption in apartments with similar characteristics. In seeing the difference, the owners of each apartment are expected to reduce their energy consumption down to the conventional general building standard.

The Laboratory’s experts turned to a creative designer for an original solution to engage children into responsible consumption practices. As a result, a cute animated puppy, named Druzhok (Buddy) was created. The designer's idea was that Druzhok's image should be cosy and easy to follow, appealing both to adults - utility bill payers, and to children interested in making their lives more environmentally friendly and ready to help their parents to adopt quicker practices in responsible consumption. 

Every month, the tenants of the two multi-apartment buildings along with conventional housing and public utilities bills receive in their mailboxes illustrated information flyers. In an attractive and graphic way, the flyers provide detailed data on heat and water consumption based on real figures that are compared to the average house consumption in apartments with similar characteristics.

Every month, the tenants of the two multi-apartment buildings along with conventional housing and public utilities bills receive in their mailboxes illustrated information flyers. In an attractive and graphic way, the flyers provide detailed data on heat and water consumption based on real figures that are compared to the average house consumption in apartments with similar characteristics.

Apart from the flyers, the campaign also created polymer magnets and metal badges featuring Druzhok and his useful tips on energy efficiency.

In April the tenants received the flyers for the sixth time. It is expected that by the end of the experiment the energy consumption will drop by 4-5% in each apartment. At the end of the heating season, recommendations for reducing heat consumption will be suplemented by general tips for responsible consumption. The experiment will continue until the end of the year.