European Union energy ministers composed a deal yesterday to reduce their natural gas consumption by 15% between now and spring, according to The New York Times.

The agreement allows for exceptions to nations that face energy problems or have been diligent in saving more gas than they need in recent months. However, it requires all nations to voluntarily cut natural gas consumption.

The accord was reached less than a day after Russia’s state-owned energy corporation, Gazprom, announced it would further reduce the amount of natural gas it sends to Germany via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline.

Learn more: The New York Times > E.U. agrees to reduce natural gas consumption by 15 percent