IEA Urges Remote Work and Slower Driving to Cut Energy Use

Amid persistently high energy prices driven by ongoing tensions in the Gulf region, the International Energy Agency has called on governments worldwide to adopt immediate measures to reduce energy consumption. These include promoting remote work, lowering driving speeds, and encouraging more efficient use of resources across sectors.

Global Energy Crisis Intensifies

Rising Prices Due to Geopolitical Tensions

The ongoing conflict in the Gulf has disrupted global energy supply chains, leading to elevated oil and gas prices. This has intensified concerns about energy security worldwide.

IEA’s Warning

Fatih Birol highlighted the severity of the situation, stating:
"the greatest global energy security threat in history"

He also urged governments to take stronger action and become:
"more vocal"

Key Recommendations by the IEA

Lifestyle and Policy Changes

The International Energy Agency has proposed ten measures aimed at reducing global energy consumption across transport, homes, and workplaces.

Major Suggestions Include

• Encouraging work-from-home arrangements
• Reducing speed limits for vehicles
• Promoting public transport usage
• Implementing car-sharing practices
• Restricting access to city centres on alternate days
• Avoiding unnecessary air travel, especially business trips
• Adopting electric cooking solutions

Additionally, the agency stressed the need to conserve liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for essential uses by limiting its consumption in other sectors.

Measures Already Adopted by Countries

Asia Takes Early Action

Several Asian nations have already implemented energy-saving policies:

• Bangladesh limits air conditioning to 25°C
• Thailand caps cooling at 26°C

Work and Travel Restrictions

• Countries like Pakistan and the Philippines have introduced a four-day work week for public employees
• Some governments are reducing school hours and limiting official air travel

Role of the IEA in Global Energy Policy

A Global Energy Watchdog

The International Energy Agency comprises 32 member countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Canada, and several European nations.

Core Responsibilities

The agency provides:

• Policy recommendations
• Energy market analysis
• Guidance on clean energy transitions

Emergency Measures and Oil Reserves

Strategic Oil Release

IEA member countries have already agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil, accounting for 20% of emergency reserves.

Future Interventions

Birol indicated that further releases could be considered:
"if we believe that there is a need"
to
" alleviate the pain on the economy"

Scale of the Energy Challenge

A Crisis Beyond Past Shocks

Birol emphasised that the current crisis surpasses previous energy shocks:
"I believe the world has not yet well understood the depth of the energy security challenge we are facing,"

He added:
"It is much bigger than what we had in the 1970s... It is also bigger than the natural gas price shock we experienced after the Russia's invasion of Ukraine."

Lessons from History and Future Outlook

Past Responses to Energy Crises

Following the 1970s energy crisis, governments took major steps such as:

• Expanding nuclear energy production
• Improving fuel efficiency in vehicles

Birol noted:
"One of them was a big wave of nuclear power plants built around the world,"

He further added:
"Second, the car industry went through a major transformation. The amount of oil we use for driving 100 kilometres is halved because of the efficiency improvement in cars, the fuel efficiency."

Future Trends

This time, the focus is expected to shift toward:

• Renewable energy expansion
• Advanced battery technologies
• Increased nuclear energy investments

Strategic Importance of the Strait of Hormuz

Critical Energy Route

Birol stressed the importance of restoring access to a key global oil transit route:
"The single most important solution to this problem is opening up the Strait of Hormuz."

Long-Term Impact

Even if access is restored, infrastructure damage in the Gulf region could limit oil and gas exports for an extended period.

He warned that it could take:
"months and months"
for oil fields, refineries, and pipelines to recover to pre-conflict levels.

Conclusion

The International Energy Agency’s recommendations underline the urgent need for both governments and individuals to adopt energy-saving measures in response to a deepening global energy crisis. From promoting remote work to reducing travel and improving efficiency, these strategies aim to ease pressure on strained energy systems. While emergency steps such as releasing oil reserves provide short-term relief, long-term solutions will depend on accelerating the transition to renewable energy and improving infrastructure resilience. As geopolitical uncertainties continue to disrupt supply chains, coordinated global action and behavioural changes will be critical to ensuring energy security and economic stability in the coming years.