The proposal within the EU to maintain summer time throughout the entire year has, for the time being, been shelved. Nevertheless, it would be beneficial for both health and finances, particularly for those in Mediterranean nations.
Daylight saving time will make its return between Saturday, 29th and Sunday, 30th March 2025. At the stroke of two in the morning, we shall need to set our clocks forward by sixty minutes, effectively making it three in the morning. Thankfully, smartphones will take care of this adjustment automatically, sparing us the hassle.
Consequently, we shall all lose an hour of sleep, yet in exchange, we will enjoy extended days and an abundance of natural light to make the most of (solar time will resume on Sunday, 26 October 2025).
What exactly is Daylight Saving Time?
Daylight saving time involves the practice of advancing the clocks by one hour in order to make the most of the sun’s rays during the summer months, ultimately aiming to reduce electricity consumption.
Daylight saving time was introduced specifically to encourage energy conservation during periods of crisis, with Italy first implementing it during the First World War in May 1916. There were subsequent interruptions between 1921 and 1939, and again from 1948 to 1965.
The compelling factors that influenced that decision have faded into the past, yet even now, amidst the pressing need for energy conservation, daylight saving time continues to serve its purpose remarkably well.
Conserving energy
Nevertheless, the shift from solar time to summer time (and back again) is not without its challenges. Indeed, it carries detrimental implications for one’s health. When it comes to bills, the shift to summertime brings about beneficial outcomes.
Indeed, energy savings are indisputable: over the past two decades (from 2004 to 2024), they have reached a staggering 2.2 billion euros, translating to nearly 12 billion kilowatt hours (kWh).
Data from Terna, the entity responsible for overseeing the national transmission network, reveals that in 2024, “during the seven months of summertime, the Italian electricity system experienced a reduction in energy consumption amounting to 340 million kWh, which corresponds to the average annual needs of roughly 130 thousand households.”
It has been estimated that the savings on bills amount to a staggering 75 million euros. The advantages of summertime extend to the environment as well: last year, there was a notable reduction in CO2 emissions, amounting to 160 thousand tons.
The detrimental effects of Daylight Saving Time on health
“The transition from summertime to wintertime and the reverse can indeed have adverse effects on human health,” remarked Alessandro Miani, the president of the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (Sima). “It modifies the circadian rhythm, which refers to the biological clock of our body that, without external environmental cues, typically completes its cycle in roughly 24 hours.” Neglecting these natural rhythms can significantly impact blood pressure and heart rate. Numerous studies have highlighted a link between time changes and heart disease, with research from the University of Stockholm indicating a 4% increase in heart attack incidents during the week after the clock adjustment.
A considerable segment of the population grapples with sleep issues, which can adversely affect concentration and mood, ultimately impacting academic performance, workplace efficiency, and personal relationships, among other areas. Subsequent studies have indeed confirmed a correlation between the transition from summer time to winter time and a rise in both road and workplace accidents. Notably, research carried out in Australia even identified a spike in suicides during the initial weeks following the time change.
The proposal from the EU to eliminate the practice of changing the clocks
At one juncture in recent years, we had asserted that the conclusion of the clock change was on the horizon. However, events unfolded in a rather unexpected manner. In 2018, the European Commission, under the leadership of Jean-Claude Juncker, put forth a proposal for a directive aimed at abolishing the biannual clock change. This initiative was backed by the striking outcomes of a public consultation that garnered an unprecedented 4.6 million responses, with a notable 84% expressing support for halting the clock changes. However, it is worth noting that Italians largely abstained from participating in this online consultation.
The Commission also put forth studies highlighting the detrimental effects on both psychological and physical health resulting from the time change, while emphasizing the minimal significance of daylight saving time regarding energy savings.
Regrettably, the proposal did not succeed as a definitive decision on the issue was not reached. To proceed with its adoption, approval from both the Council and the European Parliament is required.
In 2021, the European Parliament cast its vote in support of abolishing summer time; however, the Council, which requires a qualified majority of member states, has yet to achieve this goal.
What is the reason behind this? Northern European nations often oppose the concept of summer time, as they experience a more pronounced fluctuation in daylight between the winter and summer months. In contrast, Mediterranean countries like Italy find the time change beneficial for extending daylight hours.
At present, the proposal to abolish the time change within the EU remains in the category of “pending” matters. It seems that an informal consultation among the member states is in the works to assess the continued feasibility of pursuing the matter.
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