International Energy Agency recommends working from home, driving 10km/h slower, public transport to offset oil shock from Middle East conflict

The world’s energy sector watchdog has suggested Australians consider working from home, avoiding travel and traveling 10km per hour slower to compensate for severe oil shortages following the conflict in the Middle East.

The recommendations are part of a series of demand-side actions published on Friday by the International Energy Agency (IEA), a Paris-based intergovernmental organization that provides policy recommendations on the global energy sector, advising governments, businesses and households to follow the list to mitigate the economic impacts of oil market disruptions.

The conflict in the Middle East has triggered the “largest supply disruption” in the history of the global oil market, the IEA said in a statement.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of global oil supplies pass, has reached a trickle since the bilateral Israeli-US attack on Iran.

The IEA said that approximately 20 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products passed through the Bosphorus.

“The loss of these flows significantly contracted markets, pushing crude oil prices above $100 per barrel and leading to even sharper increases in refined products such as diesel, jet fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG),” the IEA statement continues.

Last Wednesday, IEA member countries agreed to draw 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves, marking the “largest stock draw” in IEA history.

Problems with oil and fuel shortages in Australia have manifested themselves in the form of huge price increases in bowser over the past few weeks.

Dozens of servos were also reported to have run out of gas.

Despite the shortage, Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen reassured Australians that every fuel shipment destined for the country was arriving as planned.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also called for an urgent national cabinet meeting, urging everyone not to panic when buying fuel.

The IEA’s 10-point recommendations include using public transport, increasing carpooling and “efficient driving practices” and avoiding air travel, as well as working from home where possible to “remove petroleum use from commuting”.

Others include lowering highway speed limits by “at least” 10 km/h, “reducing fuel use by passenger cars, vans and trucks” and switching to electricity instead of LPG.

IEA Executive Director Faith Birol said: “The war in the Middle East is creating a major energy crisis, including the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market. Without a quick solution, the impacts on energy markets and economies will become increasingly severe.”

IEA’s immediate actions to reduce demand:

1. Work from home whenever possible

It eliminates the use of petrol during commuting, especially when jobs lend themselves to remote working.

2. Reduce highway speed limits by at least 10 km/h

Lower speeds reduce fuel consumption for passenger cars, vans and trucks.

3. Encourage public transportation

The switch from private cars to buses and trains could rapidly reduce oil demand.

4. Alternative private vehicle access to roads in major cities on different days

Plate rotation schemes can reduce congestion and fuel-intensive driving.

5. Increase carpooling and adopt efficient driving practices

Higher vehicle occupancy and eco-driving can quickly reduce fuel consumption.

6. Efficient driving and goods delivery of road commercial vehicles

Better driving practices, vehicle maintenance and load optimization can reduce diesel use.

7. Separate LPG use from transportation

Converting dual-fuel and LPG vehicles to gasoline can save LPG for cooking and other basic needs.

8. Avoid air travel when alternative options are available

Reducing business flying could quickly ease pressure on jet fuel markets.

9. Switch to other modern cooking solutions whenever possible

Promoting electric cooking and other modern options can reduce dependence on LPG.

10. Leverage flexibility in petrochemical feedstocks and implement short-term efficiency and maintenance measures

The industry can help free up LPG for essential uses while reducing oil consumption through rapid operational improvements.