Governments across the world have rolled out an assortment of policies aimed at insulating households and exposed sectors from surging energy costs they link to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. The steps vary in scope and mechanism but share a common objective: stabilise domestic supplies and limit the immediate financial burden on consumers.
United Kingdom - Authorities are considering measures to reduce consumer energy bills by compelling older wind and solar generators to operate under fixed-price contracts.
Netherlands - The Dutch government has announced temporary tax relief intended to offset rising fuel prices. Officials also said they would prepare additional measures should the energy situation deteriorate further.
Sweden - In its spring mini-budget, Sweden plans to lower fuel taxes and raise electricity subsidies to help households manage higher energy bills attributed to the conflict.
India - Indian authorities said they would reassess fuel export policies as necessary to guarantee domestic availability. Export approvals for neighbouring requests will be granted only if surplus volumes exist. Separately, the government has prohibited consumers with piped natural gas from keeping or refilling LPG cylinders. It has also invoked emergency powers directing refiners to maximise production of liquefied petroleum gas, a widely used cooking fuel.
South Korea - Seoul is loosening restrictions on coal-fired power generation capacity and boosting nuclear plant utilisation to as much as 80%. It has also implemented a ban on naphtha exports to bolster domestic supplies.
China - Chinese authorities have prohibited refined fuel exports to avert a prospective domestic shortage, according to four sources. In addition, the country is releasing fertiliser stocks from national commercial reserves ahead of spring planting.
Australia - Australia is utilising its domestic reserves of petrol/gasoline and diesel to alleviate shortages affecting rural supply chains, mining and agriculture. The prime minister has encouraged the public to use public transport.
Japan - Japan will relax rules for the current fiscal year to permit greater use of coal-fired power plants. The country also plans to raise imports of intermediary chemical products, including plastics, as it confronts tighter naphtha supplies linked to the conflict. The Nikkei business daily reported that Japan has agreed to import 1 million barrels of crude oil from Mexico, with delivery possible as early as July, as part of efforts to diversify energy sources.
European Union - EU leaders have advocated for temporary measures to mitigate a surge in energy prices, suggesting options such as electricity tax reductions, lower grid fees and state support as short-term fixes.
Bangladesh - Dhaka is seeking billions in external financing to secure fuel and liquefied natural gas imports.
Serbia - Serbian authorities will reduce excise duties on crude oil by a cumulative 60% and have extended a ban on exports of crude oil and fuel products to protect the domestic market.
Italy - The prime minister has stated that Italy is considering excise duty cuts to ease fuel prices and is prepared to consider higher taxes on companies judged to be unduly profiting from the energy crisis.
Spain - The prime minister indicated that parliament is expected to vote on measures including lower fuel and electricity taxes and fuel subsidies for sectors most affected by energy price spikes.
Argentina - The government issued a decree to postpone the impact of planned increases in taxes on liquid fuels and carbon dioxide.
Cambodia - Cambodia is importing additional fuel from suppliers in Singapore and Malaysia to offset supply shortfalls from Vietnam and China.
Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur will increase petrol subsidy spending to 2 billion ringgit from 700 million ringgit to maintain the fuel's fixed price. The government is implementing measures to shore up fertiliser supplies amid domestic shortages. It has announced a package of steps that includes central bank support for companies, efforts to diversify energy sources and secure critical inputs, enhanced monitoring of vulnerable sectors, and a special access pathway for critical medicines and medical devices.
Thailand - Thai authorities have held discussions with Russia about potential crude oil purchases, according to a deputy prime minister. The government is also seeking to cap domestic diesel prices at 33 baht per litre. Additionally, the national planning agency said it will freeze prices of some goods and provide targeted support to farmers.
Greece - The government will provide subsidies for fuel and fertilisers as well as ferry ticket discounts totalling 300 million euros in April and May to support consumers and farmers. Athens has also announced an extra 500 million euros in aid to households and farmers affected by the war, citing a higher primary budget surplus for 2025 that created fiscal headroom for additional support.
Romania - Bucharest said it will cut the excise tax on diesel by 0.30 lei per litre.
Slovenia - In response to pump shortages driven in part by cross-border fuelling and stockpiling, Slovenia temporarily limited fuel purchases to manage local supplies.
Philippines - The energy market regulator suspended the wholesale electricity spot market across the country’s three grids until further notice, citing fuel supply risks and price volatility. Manila plans to curb power bills by expanding coal-fired generation and regulating electricity tariffs. The Philippines is also collaborating with Washington to secure waivers that would allow it to obtain oil from U.S.-sanctioned countries to guarantee supplies. The energy ministry said it is activating a 20 billion peso emergency fund to reinforce fuel security amid oil price volatility.
Vietnam - A government document indicated Vietnam will accelerate its full switch to ethanol-blended gasoline ahead of schedule to help reduce fossil fuel use.
Singapore - The prime minister said the government will advance some support measures previously announced in the budget to cushion households and businesses from the conflict’s effects.
Indonesia - President Prabowo Subianto has sought to raise the country’s coal production, and the government is contemplating a windfall tax on exports. Indonesia will begin implementing its B50 biodiesel programme on July 1 - a blend composed of 50% palm oil-based biodiesel and 50% conventional diesel - as part of efforts to mitigate risks associated with the Iran war.
South Africa - South Africa will temporarily reduce its fuel levy for one month in April.
Brazil - The government is rolling out a plan to help states subsidise diesel imports. Earlier in March, authorities removed federal taxes on diesel and imposed a 12% tax on oil exports.
Egypt - Cairo has capped the price of unsubsidised bread sold by private bakeries. It will also raise the local wheat procurement price to 2,500 pounds per 150 kg for this year’s harvest as part of steps to bolster stocks of strategic commodities.
Ethiopia - Ethiopian officials have increased fuel subsidies.
Mauritius - The government announced energy-saving measures that include restrictions on grid power for non-essential uses such as decorative lighting, swimming pool heating and fountains.
Namibia - Windhoek will temporarily cut fuel levies by 50% for at least three months, through the end of June, as a measure to shield consumers from higher pump prices.
Nigeria - The Dangote refinery, Africa’s largest, has increased exports of gasoline and urea to neighbouring African countries affected by supply disruptions tied to the war.
Sri Lanka - Authorities will introduce additional fuel-rationing measures intended to shorten queues and secure further oil supplies.
Poland - Polish officials are exploring options to lower fuel prices that could include reducing value-added tax, the finance minister said.
The responses outlined above represent a wide range of fiscal, regulatory and operational interventions. They are aimed at easing immediate household burdens, maintaining supply chains for agriculture and industry, and preventing domestic shortages of fuels and key inputs such as fertiliser and intermediate chemical products.
While the specific measures differ by country, common themes include temporary tax relief, targeted subsidies, export restrictions to prioritise domestic availability, releases from strategic reserves, and adjustments to power-generation mixes to rely more on coal or nuclear where feasible.
Several countries are also using monetary, trade and regulatory tools in tandem - for example, central bank support for companies, emergency production directives for refiners, and efforts to secure import waivers or diversify suppliers.