European governments have so far avoided curbs on energy consumption despite a deepening energy shock caused by the war in Iran, while countries from Australia to Egypt are already encouraging remote working, public transport and travel restrictions, reports "Reuters".
According to analysts, the reason is that the impact on Europe is so far far weaker than the crisis in 2022, when Russia's invasion of Ukraine led to record gas prices and fears of shortages. An additional factor is the political sensitivity of the topic after the "yellow vest" protests in France and resistance to green transport measures in Britain.
Governments are more likely to compensate households with subsidies than to urge them to use less energy.
"Demand reduction measures are inherently unpopular and politicians may not want to devote too much political influence to promoting them," Phuc-Vinh Nguyen of the Paris-based Jacques Delors Energy Center told Reuters.
According to his data, of more than 180 measures adopted in Europe in response to the crisis, fewer than 10 are aimed at limiting consumption and most are voluntary. The EU recommendations, published last week, also do not include ideas such as car-free days or wider teleworking, which were part of an earlier draft.
So far, European countries have allocated nearly 14 billion euros to respond to the crisis. The measures are mostly general, such as fuel tax cuts in Germany, Spain and Poland, rather than targeted support for vulnerable households.
Some economists warn that this weakens the transition to cleaner energy. "The oil price shock is effectively a global carbon tax," said INSEAD professor Ilian Mihov.
In Poland, Energy Minister Milosz Motika said that strict restrictions could trigger panic and hoarding. "We are making delicate proposals and we hope that drivers will adapt to the current situation," he said.
According to the International Energy Agency, Ireland achieved a 12% drop in residential electricity consumption in 2022, and 90% of Germans have consciously saved on heating.
Some politicians are calling for action now. "In a situation of shortage, this is the way to reduce the price - reduce demand," said MEP Michael Bloss. Former Italian minister Enrico Giovannini warned: "If the war drags on, more drastic measures will certainly be taken."