By Samuel Ssenono
Work-from-home, reduced speeds and fewer flights top immediate actions to ease pressure on diesel, jet fuel and LPG
Governments, businesses and households are being urged to cut fuel consumption immediately, with remote work, lower driving speeds and reduced air travel identified as the fastest ways to ease pressure on strained global oil markets.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) says demand-side action is now critical as disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict tighten supply and push crude oil prices above $100 per barrel, with sharper increases seen in diesel, jet fuel and liquefied petroleum gas.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which typically carries about 20 million barrels per day or roughly 20 percent of global oil consumption, has been significantly reduced, triggering what the IEA describes as the largest supply disruption in oil market history.
While countries have already moved to release 400 million barrels from emergency reserves, the agency says supply measures alone will not be enough, placing immediate focus on cutting demand.
Road transport targeted first
The IEA report identifies road transport, which accounts for about 45 percent of global oil demand, as the quickest area to deliver savings.
Key measures include expanding remote work to reduce commuting, lowering highway speed limits by at least 10 kilometres per hour, and encouraging a shift from private vehicles to public transport.
Cities are also encouraged to adopt number plate rotation systems to limit car use on certain days, while promoting car sharing and more efficient driving practices to reduce fuel consumption.
Freight and delivery operations are another focus, with better route planning, vehicle maintenance and load optimisation identified as immediate ways to cut diesel use.
Aviation, LPG and industry under pressure
Beyond road transport, the agency highlights aviation as a key pressure point, urging reduced air travel where alternatives exist to ease demand for jet fuel.
The report also calls for a shift in LPG use, prioritising essential needs such as cooking over transport. In parallel, households are encouraged to adopt alternative clean cooking solutions where possible to reduce reliance on LPG.
In industry, facilities using LPG are advised to switch to alternative feedstocks such as naphtha where feasible, alongside short-term efficiency and maintenance improvements to reduce overall oil consumption.
Governments urged to lead
The IEA says governments should lead through targeted policies, incentives and public sector measures, while ensuring support is directed at the most vulnerable consumers rather than broad subsidies.
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol warned that without a swift resolution to the conflict, pressure on energy markets will intensify, making demand reduction essential to stabilising prices and protecting consumers.
Short-term action, immediate impact
The agency notes that while demand-side measures cannot fully replace lost supply, widespread adoption could significantly reduce market strain, lower costs and preserve fuel for essential uses until normal flows resume.
The report also shows that several countries have already begun implementing similar measures, signalling a shift toward conservation as a frontline response to the crisis.
