Russia sanctions: EU urges citizens to work from home, cut energy use to stop funding Ukraine’s war effort

European officials have urged citizens in member states to reduce their energy consumption in a bid to reduce dependence on Russian sources.

“This guide contains easy-to-follow steps that, with little or no discomfort on our part, can reduce the flow of money to the Russian military and help set us on a path toward a cleaner, more sustainable planet,” said Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the Energy Agency. International (IEA), advised.

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Russian energy exports have played a central role in the conflict in Ukraine as Moscow continues to exploit foreign dependence on oil and gas to maintain cash flow at a time when the economy has stabilized but remains weak due to Western sanctions.

The European Commission advised member states this week that Moscow’s plan to complete contractual payments for its energy may not necessarily violate sanctions, but it has also begun to outline how citizens can reduce their overall energy consumption, according to the BBC.

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“Faced with the horrific scenes of human suffering that we saw in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, people in Europe want to take action,” Fatih said.

The measures outlined by the International Energy Agency can save a family an average of 450 euros ($486) a year and provide a total supply of more than 220 million barrels of oil annually.

Oil heads for a weekly drop of about 4%.

The nine-point “play my part” plan asks citizens to drive less and use public transportation more or try to work remotely for at least three days a week.

Other measures include reducing the use of heating and air conditioning, driving at lower speeds, using trains instead of planes when possible, and promoting “car-free Sundays”. The plan also suggests that households invest in insulation, smart digital thermostats, and similar technologies that can help reduce fossil fuel use.

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The United States and Britain have cut off all Russian energy imports, and Poland is working to roll back its commitments. Other European countries, such as Germany, are trying to follow suit but are facing difficulties in reducing dependence on their main source of energy.

The European Union in March announced plans to end its dependence entirely on Russian gas by 2030.