The European Commission is set to encourage remote working and public transport subsidies as part of a new push to reduce energy consumption amid rising prices linked to geopolitical tensions.
According to a draft communication seen by the Financial Times, businesses may be urged to introduce at least one day of remote working per week, where possible, as part of a broader package of demand-reduction measures.
The recommendations are aimed at providing “immediate relief” from high energy costs, as countries continue to feel the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The proposals build on measures previously introduced during the energy crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, when governments encouraged reduced energy usage across households and businesses.
Alongside remote working, the Commission is also expected to recommend subsidising public transport and lowering VAT on energy-efficient technologies such as heat pumps, solar panels and boilers.
The draft document also outlines plans to accelerate electrification across member states, although specific targets have yet to be finalised.
To support this transition, Brussels is considering the introduction of “social leasing schemes” for clean technologies, including electric vehicles, heat pumps and small-scale batteries, making them more accessible to consumers.
EU officials stressed that the measures will remain non-binding recommendations, giving member states flexibility in how they implement them.
The Commission is also preparing two legislative proposals aimed at lowering energy costs more structurally.
These include changes to electricity market rules to reduce the cost of transmission and improve efficiency across grid operators, as well as amendments to taxation rules to ensure electricity is taxed more favourably than fossil fuels.
The proposals could allow member states to reduce electricity taxes for energy-intensive industries, as part of efforts to maintain competitiveness during the energy transition.
In addition, the Commission plans to support national governments in designing price caps and income support measures to shield consumers from rising costs.
The latest measures reflect a renewed focus on demand-side solutions, combining behavioural changes — such as remote working — with longer-term structural reforms in energy systems.
As energy markets remain volatile, policymakers are once again turning to a mix of incentives, regulation and consumer action to manage demand and accelerate the shift towards cleaner energy.
