EU Urges Citizens to Cut Travel and Energy Use as Iran War Tightens Global Supplies

World | Deutsche Welle

With the Iran war rattling Gulf supplies and pushing prices higher, EU leaders are asking Europeans to drive and fly less, work from home and conserve fuel while preparing for competition with Asia over scarce LNG.

The European Commission has urged its more than 400 million citizens to reduce flying and driving, work from home and otherwise conserve energy as the conflict involving Iran tightens global supplies. EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen told ministers in Brussels the bloc should save diesel and jet fuel and shift to public transport, car‑sharing and efficient driving.

Energy markets have already been hit hard. Oil and gas prices surged by as much as 70% after US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Iran's retaliatory attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the first 10 days of the conflict added roughly €3 billion to EU fossil fuel import bills. Analysts warn that diverted LNG cargoes and rising demand in Asia are leaving Europe vulnerable to shortages.

Bruegel and other think tanks say the bloc must plan for a prolonged shock. Some policymakers have floated measures such as gas price caps or industry subsidies, but analysts caution caps would blunt incentives to conserve and to invest in clean energy. Alternatives being discussed include targeted support for energy‑intensive industries, tax cuts on electricity to encourage electrification, and stepped‑up investments in heat pumps and renewables.

Officials also point to damaged Gulf infrastructure as a long‑term concern. Qatar's Ras Laffan complex was struck in March and could take months or years to repair, limiting a quick return of supplies. "Nobody knows how long the crisis will be," Jorgensen said after an emergency meeting, warning that energy infrastructure in the region continues to be degraded by the war.

Source: World | Deutsche Welle

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