A group of 67 MEPs are advocating for the abolition of daylight saving time due to its negative impact on health, well-being, and safety. Led by MEP Seán Kelly, the group believes that the biannual clock change disrupts sleep cycles and has been linked to increased traffic accidents and heart attack rates. A 2017 study found that the effects of changing clocks on human biorhythms are more severe than previously believed, but the benefits or drawbacks for sectors like agriculture are inconclusive. Despite the historical origins of Daylight Saving Time in conserving coal during World War I, more recent research has shown insignificant energy savings from the practice. The practice of changing clocks is currently set out by a 2001 EU directive that mandates the clocks to go back at 1am GMT on the last Sunday in October and be put forward again on the last Sunday in March.
An online consultation conducted by the European Commission in 2018 received a record 4.6 million responses, with 84% in favor of abolishing the clock change. However, the plans to abolish daylight saving time were stalled due to the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic and changes in leadership. President Ursula von der Leyen is set to begin her second mandate at the helm of the EU executive, with her team of Commissioners undergoing confirmation hearings by MEPs starting on November 4. The Commission has stated that the decision on the proposal is still pending, as the EU’s Council, representing member states, has not reached a position on the matter. The Commission believes that member states are best placed to decide whether they want to adopt permanent summer- or wintertime.
The push to abolish daylight saving time has gained support from MEPs representing various European Parliament political groups, including former Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas and Health Committee Chair Adam Jarubas. These lawmakers argue that the negative effects of the clock change on health, well-being, and safety outweigh any potential benefits, such as energy savings. The practice of changing clocks to capitalize on natural daylight has been in place for decades, but the MEPs believe that it is time to end this outdated tradition. The call for abolition comes after growing evidence of the detrimental impact the clock change has on sleep patterns and overall health.
While Daylight Saving Time was initially introduced to save energy during times of war, recent studies have shown minimal energy savings from the practice. The MEPs are basing their call for abolition on scientific research that indicates the negative effects on human biorhythms are more severe than previously thought. They argue that the disruption to sleep cycles caused by changing the clocks has tangible consequences on health and well-being. The MEPs believe that with widespread agreement across the political spectrum and support from the public, it is a practical and popular measure to end the biannual clock change. The decision now lies with the EU’s Council to determine the future of daylight saving time in Europe.
