The European Union (EU) suggested this Tuesday (31) that the bloc’s countries encourage their citizens to avoid “non-essential travel”, especially by car and plane, given the risk of fuel shortages caused by the war in the Middle East.
According to the European Union’s Energy Commissioner, Dan Jørgensen, the measure is part of a set of actions aimed at reducing demand for oil and gas on the continent, with a focus on the transport sector.
In a letter sent to the bloc’s Energy Ministers, cited in international press reports, Jørgensen recommends the adoption by countries of “voluntary savings measures”, with special attention to fuel consumption.
According to the document, governments can advise the population to reduce travel, prioritizing only essential trips, as a way of preserving stocks in a scenario of uncertain supply.
As Jørgensen said at a press conference this Tuesday, the war in the Middle East could evolve from a price crisis into a complex supply problem in Europe. Currently, the EU reportedly depends on Persian Gulf countries for more than 40% of its diesel and jet fuel imports.
