The conflict in the Middle East has created the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market, due to the near halt in shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Some 15 million barrels of crude oil and 5 million barrels of oil products typically traversed the Strait each day, equivalent to around 20% of global oil consumption. These flows have slowed to a trickle. The loss of supply is having significant impacts in global markets, pushing up prices for crude oil above $100/barrel, and leading to much higher prices for some refined products – notably diesel, jet fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Concerns are growing about the impacts of higher prices on households, businesses and the broader economy.

The resumption of transit through the Strait of Hormuz is the single most important action to return to stable oil and gas flows and reduce the strains on markets and prices. In the interim, countries around the world are taking a range of measures to increase supply and to reduce the impact of sharp price rises on consumers. On the supply side, IEA member countries took a crucial step on 11 March by making 400 million barrels of oil from their emergency reserves available to the market, the largest stock release in IEA history. But the demand side is also a crucial part of the energy security equation.

In this report, the IEA details 10 demand-side options open to households, businesses and governments to shelter themselves from today’s oil shock and relieve the strains on affordability. These are based on the IEA’s longstanding expertise on energy security and on specific country examples. Governments can take the lead, both by setting an example and by facilitating these actions, but many can be adopted by individuals and businesses directly. Most of these options relate to consumption of road transport fuels, but they also cover fuel use for air transport, cooking and industry.

For road transport, the key options are to:

• Work from home where possible: Working from home can significantly reduce oil consumption from commuting. At the national level, three additional remote workdays, for those whose jobs allow for it, could cut oil consumption from cars by 2%-6%, with average potential reductions of around 20% for individual drivers.

• Reduce speed limits on highways by at least 10 km/h: Lowering the speed limit on highways by 10 km/h can reduce an individual driver’s oil consumption by 5% to 10% and overall oil use for private cars by 1% to 6%. Heavy freight trucks can save around 5% due to their already lower speeds.

• Encourage public transport: Shifting travel away from private cars to public transport, such as buses and trains, can reduce national oil use for cars by 1% to 3%. Options like cycling and walking for shorter journeys can lead to further reductions.

• Alternate private car access to roads in large cities on different days: Limiting cars’ access in designated zones to specific days based on their number plate could reduce traffic congestion, engine idling and fuel-intensive stop-and-go driving, with savings of 1% to 5% of national car oil use.

• Increase car sharing and adopt efficient driving practices: Carpooling increases car occupancy and relieves road congestion, reducing travel times and car usage. When combined with eco-driving measures, including checking tyre pressure, adjusting air conditioning settings, and efficient driving practices, fuel demand for cars can be reduced by around 5% to 8%.

• Efficient driving for road commercial vehicles and delivery of goods: Eco-driving practices, including regular checks of tyre pressure, reduced idling, and reduction of braking and accelerating, combined with operational improvements, such as optimisation of vehicle loads, can reduce fuel demand for road commercial vehicles by 3% to 5%.

• Divert LPG use from transport: Around 2% of the global car fleet runs on LPG. Switching on gasoline in converted vehicles or bi-fuel ones can preserve LPG supplies for prioritised uses, such as cooking.

For air transport fuels, cooking fuels, and industry:

• Avoid air travel where alternative options exist: A reduction of around 40% of flights taken for business purposes is feasible in the short term and, with very high participation in work-related flight reduction campaigns, could reduce jet kerosene demand by 7% to 15%.

• Where possible, switch to other modern cooking solutions: As LPG supply becomes increasingly constrained, greater adoption of electric and other alternative modern cooking solutions could manage potential cooking fuel shortages alongside other measures to conserve LPG in other non-essential applications.

• Leverage flexibility with petrochemical feedstocks and implement short-term efficiency and maintenance measures:  Prioritising the processing of oil feedstocks with higher volumes available can release pressure on other oil products. Optimising equipment operations and maintenance can reduce oil use in individual facilities by up to 5%.

As seen in 2022, governments can intervene with measures to help consumers with their energy bills during price spikes – but fiscal means are limited, and it is vital that measures target those most in need. Over the longer term, the report also provides guidance on structural measures that can help improve energy security and limit exposure to future shocks.

The IEA was founded more than 50 years ago with a core mission of upholding energy security in response to global oil shocks. The current crisis extends well beyond oil, and includes disruptions to natural gas flows, with knock-on effects for electricity security and prices. The IEA continues to work closely with governments around the world as they consider and develop options for responding to the current disruption.