“Europe cannot afford to remain exposed to increasingly frequent energy shocks,” the document says.<\/p>\n
At the core of the proposal are practical recommendations to target daily habits. These include the proposal to “raise awareness and offer trainings on eco-driving” to curb fuel consumption, alongside car-free days in cities, expanding bike lanes, promoting cargo bikes for deliveries, and requiring companies to limit air travel for work. <\/p>\n
Governments are also encouraged to promote at least one day of teleworking per week, slash public transport fares or make them free for some users, and push people away from private car use.<\/p>\n
Other proposals include encouraging cargo ships to slow down \u2014 so-called “slow steaming” \u2014 to save fuel, and asking public and commercial buildings to lower boiler temperatures or adjust air conditioning settings.<\/p>\n
The push comes as the conflict in the Persian Gulf continues to choke up 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas trade, resulting in soaring prices and the risk of shortages of jet fuel, diesel and gasoline.<\/p>\n