EU Commission, IEA encourage work from home to lower Russian oil dependence

The EU Commission and International Energy Agency (IEA) outlined a strategy for EU citizens to save energy, cut their bills, and reduce dependence on Russian fuel. IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol said in a press release, “using less energy is a concrete way to help the Ukrainian people – and to help ourselves”, adding that the suggested steps can “reduce the flow of money to Russia’s military and help put us on a path to a cleaner and more sustainable planet”. 

Among the recommended steps are working from home, turning down heating, making lesser use of air-conditioners, and availing of public transport whenever possible. 

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They have also encouraged governments to provide “financial incentives” by reducing fares and increasing the installation of solar panels. The release states that if all EU citizens observe these steps, they are likely to “save enough oil to fill 120 supertankers and enough natural gas to heat almost 20 million homes”.

The European Union (EU) is taking measures to begin phasing out dependence on Russian oil, amid the Ukraine invasion. The US was the first to place a ban on Russian oil imports, striking at a core Moscow income, but also leading to price spikes. Many states have taken on individual measures to combat the price hike, following the Joe Biden government’s decision. 

While the hardline move has hurt the Russian economy, Moscow has found willing buyers in China and India. Both nations have kept trade relations open with Russia. While China depends on Russia for most of its oil and gas needs, India has decided to procure fuel at discounted rates, to skirt the issue of rising prices.

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After Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited India, New Delhi and Moscow reached a decision to set up a rupee-ruble payment system for the oil.

The US has seen the EU and the UK follow in its footsteps, and while the Biden administration maintains that India is free to procure energy from whichever sources the nation sees fit, there are many who have expressed some displeasure about New Delhi’s decision to not side with Washington in this decision.