Work From Home and Cut Travel: IEA Issues Stark Warning as Energy Supplies Shrink
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has urged governments, businesses, and citizens worldwide to cut energy consumption, warning that the war in the Middle East has triggered an unprecedented disruption in global oil supplies, putting severe pressure on energy markets.
According to IEA Director Fatih Birol (فاتح بيرول), the crisis has caused the largest supply shock in the history of the global oil market. The agency highlighted that shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries about 20 percent of global oil consumption, have dropped dramatically, intensifying concerns over energy security and rising costs.
Meanwhile, the Dutch government (Nederlandse regering – Dutch government) is still evaluating possible responses but has not yet implemented any measures. Prime Minister Rob Jetten (روب جيتن), speaking at his first European Union summit in Brussels, acknowledged the strain of rising fuel prices, especially for commuters and small business owners, but cautioned against acting too quickly and introducing ineffective policies.
The IEA stressed that reducing demand is essential, as supply-side solutions alone cannot compensate for the scale of disruption. The agency outlined ten measures aimed at lowering energy consumption, particularly in road transport, which accounts for nearly half of global oil demand, as well as in aviation, cooking, and industry.
Among the key recommendations are working from home to reduce commuting, increasing the use of public transport, and lowering highway speed limits to cut fuel use. Additional suggestions include car sharing, limiting vehicle access in major cities, avoiding air travel when alternatives are available, and switching to electric cooktops instead of LPG where possible. The IEA noted that similar measures proved effective during the 2022 energy crisis and could again help ease costs and stabilize the market.