(qlmbusinessnews.com . Sat 21st Mar, 2026) London, UK —
Global Energy Crisis: IEA Calls for Immediate Government Action
Amidst soaring energy prices due to escalating tensions in the Gulf, the International Energy Agency (IEA) is prompting governments worldwide to implement measures such as lowering driving speed limits and promoting remote working arrangements.
The IEA has laid out a ten-point plan aimed at curtailing global energy consumption, with recommendations spanning transport, residential energy use, and workplace habits. IEA’s Executive Director, Fatih Birol, conveyed to the Reporters the critical nature of the current global energy crisis, describing it as “the greatest global energy security threat in history,” and stressed the need for governments to actively manage energy usage conversations.
Birol acknowledged the political challenges associated with these suggestions but noted the financial pressure of high energy costs provides a significant motivation for change.
In response to these pressures, several Asian nations have already adopted energy-saving measures. For instance, air conditioning settings are now restricted to no cooler than 25 degrees Celsius in Bangladesh and 26 degrees in Thailand. Measures including the introduction of reduced operating hours for educational institutions and limitations on air travel for civil servants are also being explored. In line with similar austerity steps, Pakistan and the Philippines have transitioned to a four-day work week for their public employees.
The IEA's membership encompasses 32 countries, including the UK, the US, Australia, Canada, Japan, and multiple European nations, serving as an international authority on energy, offering critical analysis and advice on issues such as securing energy and facilitating the shift towards renewable sources.
Additional recommendations from the IEA to governments, businesses, and individuals include advocating for public transport usage, alternating day access for private vehicles into city centres, fostering car-sharing and efficient driving practices, minimising air travel especially for business purposes, and transitioning to electric cooking appliances. The IEA also advocated for concerted efforts to conserve liquid petroleum gas for essential uses by moving vehicles that have been converted to bio-fuel back to gas and implementing other conservation strategies.
Birol highlighted these strategies as complementary to earlier actions this month by IEA member countries, which saw the release of 400 million barrels of oil, equivalent to 20% of its emergency reserves, to mitigate economic strain. He hinted at the possibility of releasing additional stocks if deemed necessary after discussions with global leaders.
Emphasising the unprecedented nature of the current energy security challenge, Birol compared it to historical crises, suggesting the current situation exceeds those encountered in the 1970s and the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He predicts a surge in renewable energy, advanced battery technology, and nuclear power investment as part of the solution.
However, Birol pointed out that the most critical measure for easing the crisis is reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He cautioned that even with restored access, the war's impact on energy infrastructure means Gulf countries' export volumes are likely to remain diminished, posing ongoing challenges for the global energy market. Reestablishing pre-war levels of infrastructure, including oil fields, refineries, and pipelines, will be a prolonged process, he warned.
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