SABACIREBON – The European Commission is encouraging member countries European Union to take concrete steps to face the potential for an increasing energy crisis. One of the proposed policies is the implementation of remote work or work from anywhere (WFA) to reduce energy consumption significantly.
Refer to the report Financial Timesin a draft internal communication, the European Commission recommends that companies introduce at least one flexible working day per week for their employees.
Apart from that, various incentives are also being prepared, including public transportation subsidies and reduced value added tax (VAT) for energy-saving devices such as heat pumps, boilers and solar panels. This step is expected to accelerate the transition to clean energy while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
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The Commission also plans to set new targets in electrification and provide support to member countries to develop social leasing schemes for environmentally friendly technologies, including electric vehicles and heating systems based on renewable energy.
On the other hand, the agency is expected to encourage savings in gas and oil consumption again, continuing a similar policy introduced by Brussels in 2022.
Concerns about global energy supplies are increasing as the geopolitical situation in the Middle East region heats up. Strait of Hormuzwhich is a vital lifeline for global energy distribution, was reportedly closed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps since Saturday night.
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It is said that the closure will continue until the blockade by United States Navy on Iranian shipping lanes was completely revoked. Previously, since April 13, the US had restricted ship traffic in and out of Iranian ports on both sides of the strait.
As one of the most important energy distribution channels in the world, the Strait of Hormuz contributes around 20 percent of the total global supply of oil, oil derivative products and liquefied natural gas (LNG). This situation has sparked widespread concern about international energy stability.
The United States government stated that non-Iranian ships would still be allowed to pass, as long as they were not involved in certain payment obligations to Tehran. However, until now the Iranian authorities have not officially implemented this import duty policy, even though this discourse has emerged. ***
