This Policy Brief draws on the 2026 OECD Energy Support Tracker to summarise the support measures governments have implemented so far in response to the sharp rise in energy prices linked to the Middle East conflict. Many OECD countries have moved quickly to provide support, most often through fuel-tax cuts and other price-support measures, while targeted income support and regulatory interventions have been used less widely so far.
The brief also distils lessons from the 2022-23 energy crisis for the design of current support measures. First, targeting the most vulnerable households and otherwise viable, heavily exposed firms can limit fiscal costs and maximise the impact of support. Second, embedding clear sunset clauses or automatic phase-out rules in support measures can prevent support from becoming entrenched and excessively costly. Third, designing support in ways that maintain price signals can preserve incentives to save energy.
Over the medium term, reducing structural exposure to future shocks will remain a priority. This requires greater energy efficiency and a more diversified energy supply across fuels, technologies and locations. Improved administrative capacity, better data and more modern digitalised service delivery systems can help governments provide rapid and targeted support in future crises.
