The
new 10-point plan to cut oil use by the International Energy Agency forbids the
movement of cars on Sunday which introduces delivery, buying and selling before Sundays.
The
emergence plan published 20 March intends to cut oil demand and consumption by
2.7 million barrels a day in the next four months through slow driving, cheap
public transport and car-free Sundays.
Fuel is becoming
scarce due to the economic siege on Russia which used to be a great source of energy
and the plan radically points out Sundays as days of rest and recreation and other actions very similar to Vatican's seven programmes of Laudato Si launched in 2015.
The third point
of car-free Sundays which have already been introduced in several countries
especially since 2015 when Fatih Birol, a Turkish engineer headed the organisation,
says the strategy also improves life apart from saving 380 kilos barrels per day
(kb/d).
Car-free Sundays
in cities
Car-free Sundays
were introduced in countries such as Switzerland, the Netherlands and West
Germany during the 1973 oil crisis. Brussels, Edinburgh, Vancouver, parts of
Tokyo and other cities have used them more recently to promote public health,
community-oriented spaces and cultural events. More than 3 000 towns and cities
registered for the European Mobility Week in 2021, which included a commitment
to a car-free day.
Car-free Sundays
help support the uptake of walking and cycling, which can generate a positive
spillover effect throughout the week. This can in turn be supported by fare
reductions or the provision of free public transport.
Banning the use
of private cars on Sundays brings a number of additional benefits to public
health and well-being, including cleaner air, reduced noise pollution and
improved road safety. In warmer climates, reduced traffic can also reduce urban
“heat-island” effects. The measure is also relatively straightforward to
enforce using spot fines and road closures.
Impact: Avoids
around 380 kb/d of oil use in the short term if implemented in large cities
every Sunday. If only one Sunday per month, the amount drops to 95 kb/d.
When you analyse
the rest of the points, transport and delivery services will only be possible
on other days apart from Sundays which means that Friday and Saturdays will be
busy days for buying and selling before movements are banned on Sundays.
The plan also subjects buying and selling to strong regulation by governments which will easily
enforce any other requirements such as covid certificates for one to access food
stores.
Below are other points:
Reduce speed
limits on highways by at least 10 km/h:
Reduction of
speed limits on highways by 10 km/h relative to current levels can
significantly reduce fuel consumption for cars, light commercial vehicles and
trucks.
Around 290 kb/d
of oil use can be saved in the short term through a speed limit reduction of
just 10 km/h on motorways for cars. A further 140 kb/d (predominantly diesel)
can be saved if heavy trucks reduce their speed by 10 km/h.
Work from home
up to three days a week where possible
Working from
home up to three days per week would cut oil demand and could reduce fuel
bills. We estimate that avoiding an average daily commute by car currently
saves around USD 2 to USD 3 each time in advanced economies.
One day of working from home can avoid around 170 kb/d of oil use. Three days of working from home avoid around 500 kb/d in the short term.
Make the use of
public transport cheaper and incentivise micro-mobility, walking and cycling
Impact: A
reduction of around 210 kb/d of oil in the short term if alternate car access
is applied on two days per week in large cities with good public transport
options.
Increase car
sharing and adopt practices to reduce fuel use
Impact: An
increase of around 50% in the average car occupancy across advanced economies
in 1-in-10 trips and adopting best-practices to decrease car fuel use can save
around 470 kb/d of oil in the short term.
Promote
efficient driving for freight trucks and delivery of goods
Impact: These
measures can avoid around 320 kb/d of oil use in the short term.
Using high-speed
and night trains instead of planes where possible
Impact: Avoids
around 40 kb/d oil use in the short term.
Avoid business
air travel where alternative options exist
Impact: Avoids
260 kb/d of oil use in the short term.
Reinforce the
adoption of electric and more efficient vehicles
Impact: Avoids
more than 100 kb/d of oil use in the short term, building on expected sales of
electric and more fuel-efficient cars over the next four months. Sustained
action on supply chains and policy support can help secure further savings.
International Energy Agency 10-point plan
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