Countries Worldwide Ramp Up Energy-Saving Measures Amid Soaring Prices and Supply Shortages
Countries across the globe are tightening energy-saving measures to curb consumption and limit the impact of rising costs as supply shortages worsen following the energy crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict. Governments are introducing conservation policies to reduce demand while attempting to shield households through tax cuts, subsidies, and price controls, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) 2026 Energy Crisis Policy Response Tracker.
Supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz after joint US and Zionist strikes on Iran pushed Brent crude prices nearly 50% above pre-war levels. The vital waterway — which carries about 20% of global oil shipments — remained largely restricted before recently reopening to selected vessels. Natural gas prices also surged globally, prompting many governments to introduce demand-reduction measures.
Asian countries, heavily dependent on Middle Eastern liquefied natural gas (LNG) and oil, led early conservation efforts. China imposed temporary price caps on refined petroleum products. Bangladesh capped air-conditioning temperatures in public buildings at 25°C (77°F), temporarily closed universities, reduced lighting use, and expanded public transport access.
Indonesia introduced remote-work schemes for public employees, restricted official travel, and accelerated its biofuel program. India limited industrial natural gas use, promoted pipeline gas as an LPG alternative, and imposed commercial LPG limits. South Korea implemented weekly vehicle-use limits for public institutions, launched conservation campaigns, and may extend private vehicle restrictions if oil reaches $120–130 per barrel.
Other measures across Asia include Laos implementing remote work and shift systems, the Philippines declaring a national state of emergency and introducing a four-day workweek for public employees, Myanmar enforcing one-day-per-week remote work and rotational vehicle rules, Sri Lanka limiting public-sector operations while expanding remote work and instituting QR-code fuel distribution, Thailand encouraging remote work and carpooling, Vietnam expanding remote-work arrangements and promoting public transport, and Singapore advising energy-efficient appliances.
In Africa, Nigeria urged industrial energy efficiency, Ethiopia promoted remote work and online meetings, Egypt introduced remote work and limited electronic-device use in government buildings, and Senegal encouraged energy conservation.
Europe implemented a range of fiscal and regulatory measures. Germany limited fuel price increases at the pump, France offered financial support to transportation, fishing, and agriculture sectors, Spain introduced tax breaks for energy efficiency and renewable installations, Sweden temporarily reduced fuel taxes, Poland and Croatia imposed gas and diesel price caps, Slovenia restricted fuel purchases, Serbia introduced fuel price caps and tax cuts, the UK provided fuel support for low-income households, Ireland reduced fuel taxes and offered targeted assistance, Italy cut fuel consumption taxes, and Portugal implemented temporary fuel-tax restrictions. The EU Commission urged member states to reduce driving and flying while promoting remote work. Since the start of the conflict, EU gas prices rose about 70% and oil prices about 60%, increasing the bloc’s fossil-fuel import bill by €14 billion ($16.12 billion).
Türkiye activated an indexation clause in early March to shield consumers from rising fuel costs.
In Latin America, Brazil expanded support for fuel producers and importers while cutting diesel taxes. Chile froze kerosene prices and suspended fuel credits, Mexico introduced price caps, Barbados temporarily fixed fuel prices and increased electricity subsidies, and Argentina postponed fuel-tax hikes while increasing biofuel blend ratios. In Australia, gas taxes were temporarily halved and gas-station profit margins capped to ease costs.
