Constructive Demand Destruction: Rethinking Transport to Save Oil

As fuel prices skyrocket and supply chains fracture, the transport sector faces a fundamental challenge:
how to decouple economic activity from oil consumption overnight.

This paper argues that reducing oil demand in transport requires both market forces and proactive policies. It introduces “constructive demand destruction,” where governments implement targeted measures (e.g., public transport, remote work, efficiency improvements) to cut fuel use while maintaining mobility and economic activity. A set of 16 practical actions shows how rapid demand reduction is possible during crises.

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