Working from home more, lowering the speed limit on roads and switching to public transport could reduce fuel consumption – this is what the energy agency IEA advises.Image: keystone
March 20, 2026, 08:16March 20, 2026, 08:16
In view of the oil crisis resulting from the Iran war, the International Energy Agency (IEA) recommends measures to reduce oil consumption. The IEA in Paris said the recommendations for mitigating the crisis focused on transport, which accounts for 45 percent of oil consumption.
More home office, lowering the speed limit on roads and switching to public transport could reduce fuel consumption. For example, cars with odd and even license plates could be allowed to enter major cities on a daily basis, which would reduce traffic jams and fuel consumption, according to the IEA.
Additional savings could be achieved through car sharing, more efficient driving and improved efficiency in freight and delivery transport.
IEA advises regulatory measures
Avoiding air travel can also reduce oil demand during the crisis, the IEA said. Where possible, industry could try to switch to alternative raw materials as an energy source. Governments could lead by example through regulatory measures and targeted incentives, focusing support on the consumers who need it most. Experience from previous crises showed that targeted support mechanisms are more effective than broad-based subsidies.
The IEA member countries have started releasing strategic oil reserves in order to stabilize the markets that have been strained by the war. However, this alone cannot fully compensate for the extent of the disruption, explained the IEA. Demand management is a crucial and immediately effective tool to ensure secure energy supplies and reduce pressure on consumers. (sda/awp/dpa)