A fuel nozzle is inserted into a combustion engine at a petrol pump at a filling station during a refueling process.<\/p>\n
Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images<\/p>\n
Countries around the world have scrambled to cope with the fallout of the energy shock from the Iran war<\/a>, imposing measures from fuel export bans, loosening refining standards, and even getting workers to climb stairs instead of taking elevators. <\/p>\n This comes as the Iran war stretches into its third week, and despite U.S. President Donald Trump proclaiming that the U.S. has “won,”<\/a> the effects of the war, especially on the energy market, continue to be felt.<\/p>\n From the serious…<\/p>\n Naturally, some nationwide measures include trying to have as much fuel in country, so as to avoid having to rely on imported fuel.<\/p>\n On Thursday, China ordered refiners to stop refined fuel exports so as to mitigate potential domestic fuel shortages, according to Reuters.<\/a><\/p>\n Sources told the agency that the ban was issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, and includes shipments of gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel. <\/p>\n CNBC attempted to reach the NDRC for comment, but did not receive an immediate reply. <\/p>\n Other major countries are considering or have imposed price caps for fuel products. <\/p>\n On Monday, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi<\/a> said that Tokyo was\u00a0considering steps \u200cto cushion the economic blow from rising fuel costs, including curbing gasoline prices. <\/p>\n Takaichi was quoted by Japanese media<\/a> on Thursday as saying she plans to cap pump prices at an average of 170 yen ($1.07) per liter nationwide, adding that gasoline prices could potentially hit 200 yen per liter. <\/p>\n Tokyo also conducted a unilateral release of crude from its own stockpiles, without waiting for coordination with other nations. <\/p>\n Japan has been particularly badly hit by the war in Iran, as the world’s third-largest economy needs to import almost all of its energy needs. <\/p>\n South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said<\/a> on Friday the government implemented a petroleum price ceiling.<\/p>\n “We have decided to set a clear price cap on supply prices to curb domestic fuel prices, which are fluctuating wildly due to the unstable international situation,” Lee said.<\/p>\n India also had to make some tough choices. The country told oil refineries to prioritize<\/a> supplying liquified petroleum gas to the 330 million households that use it as a primary cooking fuel, over 3 million businesses that\u00a0use<\/a>\u00a0commercial LPG cylinders. <\/p>\n … to the quirky<\/p>\n While some countries have tried to secure alternative energy supplies to keep their lights on, others have focused on reducing demand on their grids. <\/p>\n Work-from-home orders came back in some countries after years of companies trying to coax workers back to offices after the pandemic, with Vietnam<\/a> and Thailand reportedly getting employees to work remotely.<\/p>\n Thailand went a step further,<\/a> ordering civil servants to take the stairs instead of elevators, reducing their reliance on air conditioning and telling government employees to wear short-sleeved shirts rather than suits.<\/p>\n The Philippines<\/a> and Pakistan both instituted four-day work weeks for government workers, and Bangladesh has even shifted its calendar<\/a>, bringing forward its Eid-al-fitr holiday, allowing universities to\u00a0close early\u00a0in a bid to save fuel. <\/p>\n