BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21. The International
Energy Agency (IEA) has outlined urgent actions that governments,
businesses, and households can take to reduce the economic impact
of oil market disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the
Middle East, Trend reports.


The war has triggered the largest supply disruption in the
history of the global oil market, with shipping through the Strait
of Hormuz—normally carrying around 20% of global oil—severely
constrained. Roughly 20 million barrels per day of crude oil and
oil products usually transit the Strait. The disruption has driven
crude prices above $100 per barrel and sharply increased costs for
refined products such as diesel, jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum
gas (LPG).


Restoring Strait of Hormuz transit remains crucial to
stabilising energy markets. Meanwhile, countries are acting on both
supply and demand. On 11 March, IEA members agreed to release 400
million barrels from emergency reserves—the largest draw in the
Agency’s history. Yet supply-side measures alone cannot fully
offset the disruption, making demand reduction an immediate tool to
improve affordability and energy security.


The IEA report identifies ten practical measures, focusing on
road transport—which accounts for 45% of global oil demand—as well
as aviation, cooking, and industry. Measures include working from
home, reducing highway speed limits, promoting public transport,
car-sharing, alternating private vehicle access in large cities,
and improving freight efficiency.


Other recommended actions include reducing air travel where
alternatives exist, shifting LPG from transport to essential uses
such as cooking, adopting cleaner cooking solutions, and switching
industrial feedstocks to free up constrained fuels.


“The Middle East conflict is creating a major energy crisis,
including the largest supply disruption in global oil market
history,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “This report
provides a menu of immediate demand-side measures that have been
proven effective, helping governments, businesses, and households
reduce pressure on consumers while supporting energy security.”







Governments can lead through public sector initiatives, targeted
incentives, and regulatory measures, ensuring support reaches those
most in need. While these demand-side measures cannot fully replace
lost supply, they can meaningfully lower consumer costs, reduce
market stress, and preserve fuel for essential uses until normal
flows resume.


The IEA also reviewed all demand-related measures implemented by
governments since the crisis began, noting that many countries are
already acting to protect consumers through conservation and
financial support.


Ten Immediate Measures Highlighted by IEA:


- Work from home where possible

- Reduce highway speed limits by ≥10 km/h

- Promote public transport use

- Alternate private car access in large cities

- Increase car-sharing and eco-driving

- Improve efficiency for commercial road vehicles

- Divert LPG from transport to essential uses

- Avoid air travel where alternatives exist

- Adopt modern cooking solutions

- Optimise industrial feedstocks and implement short-term
efficiency measures