IEA urges less transportation to reduce reliance on Russian oil

The International Energy Agency on Friday reiterated a 10-point agenda to reduce the use of oil and natural gas, as Russia’s military conflict with Ukraine intensified concerns over energy supplies.

The Paris-based agency urged consumers to travel less, work from home up to three days a week where possible, share transport and reduce speed limits on highways by at least 10 km/hour as part of a 10-point plan to cut energy use.

The recommendations underscore the urgency of a supply crunch brought on by US sanctions and market aversion to Russian oil, with oil prices continuing to climb.

The proposals also include car-free Sundays in cities, making the use of public transport cheaper and incentivise micro-mobility, walking and cycling, increasing car sharing, promoting efficient driving for freight trucks and delivery of goods, and using high-speed and night trains instead of planes where possible.

When implemented, the recommendations could cut oil demand by 2.7 million barrels a day within four months, IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol said during a live conference.

“Governments have all the necessary tools at their disposal to put oil demand into decline in the coming years, which would support efforts to both strengthen energy security and achieve vital climate goals,” he said.

Earlier this month, the IEA had suggested a slew of proposals include halting new gas supply contracts with Russia, replacing Russian supplies with gas from alternative sources and accelerating the deployment of renewable energy as well as increasing power generation from bio-energy and nuclear plants, to drastically reduce the exposure of EU to Russian natural gas.