As Bertrand Piccard aptly put it during the last Energy Efficiency Day, “Energy efficiency and renewables are the two legs on which we must walk to achieve a sustainable future.” This dual approach is essential for the EU’s energy and climate policy, perfectly aligning with the European Alliance to Save Energy’s (EU-ASE) advocacy for a sustainable, energy-efficient Europe.

According to the latest International Energy Agency (IEA) report, global electricity demand surged by 4.3% in 2024, driven by record temperatures, electrification, and digitalisation. This increase highlights the urgent need for enhanced energy efficiency and a robust expansion of renewable energy sources to meet growing demands sustainably.

Energy efficiency plays a crucial role in mitigating energy consumption and reducing emissions. By using less energy to perform the same tasks, we can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions from both direct fossil fuel combustion and indirect electricity generation. Investments in energy-efficient technologies can lower operational costs for businesses, making them more competitive in the global market. For households, energy efficiency means lower utility bills and improved comfort.

On a broader scale, energy efficiency can stimulate economic growth by creating jobs in the energy sector and related industries. Key events like the 10th International Energy Agency Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in Brussels this June and the Summit on the Future of Energy Security hosted by the UK government in London at the end of April can offer a great platform to elaborate the new energy efficiency objectives.

The importance of a continuous and structured dialogue between European and national institutions with business leaders cannot be overstated. The energy efficiency industrial ecosystem significantly contributes to the European economy, with notable impacts on annual turnover, employment, and patent ownership. This ongoing communication is crucial for aligning policies, sharing best practices, unlock financial resources and fostering innovation.

Mario Giordano
Head of Global Public and Government Affairs  
Signify

The critical importance of water is gaining recognition at the EU level. The EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen included this vital topic in her Political Guidelines for 2024-2029 and water was also featured in the Mission Letter of the Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and Competitive Circular Economy.

As the EU Institutions begin to develop a European Water Resilience Strategy, they should take the below points into consideration. They are inspired from the energy sector. While water and energy are very different, some elements from existing EU energy policy can serve as food for thoughts.

1. Water Efficiency

A Water Efficiency First Principle should be developed (following the model of the Energy Efficiency First Principle) and enshrined in law. The principle should be supported by guidelines for its implementation across the whole water cycle.

Accompanying water efficiency standards should be developed either per sector or for key water intensive industries – the best approach should be defined through consultations and expert discussions.

2. Risk Preparedness Plans for Water

In the electricity sector, each Member State has developed comprehensive national risk preparedness plans based on local situations, risks, and how to address them proactively. Developing similar national risk preparedness and resilience plans for water by each Member State will be instrumental in managing current and future water-related risks.

3. Financing

A total of €255bn needs to be invested in the EU water supply and sanitation sector by 2030 to comply with EU legislation and for some climate mitigation measures.

In the next EU Multi-annual Financial Framework for 2028-2034 we need cross-cutting funds from existing funding streams to be grouped around the strategic priority of water, following the RePower EU model. These funds should be available to all EU Member States, to both public and private actors including municipalities, industry and buildings.

Tania Pentcheva
Director Europe Government and Industry Relations 
Xylem

Writing this note on my way back from the first European Parliament plenary session, I can’t help but draw a parallel with the 2024 Olympics game opening soon in Paris.

I always thought of our Energy Efficiency game as a marathon, including trainings and a solid “never-give-up” mindset, whatever the political winds. We first succeeded in the initiatory 2012 EED negotiations and we made it in the 2030 climate & energy package. Things then got more serious and we managed to take our medals from the Fit for 55 real marathon. We even secured that everyone would start exercising with mainstreaming our Energy Efficiency First principle into the broader policy spectrum.

So, what are we up to at the start of the 2024-29 mandate ?  

First, time to perform! And our performance – called implementation in the EU jargon – is about delivering more savings and valorising the genuine value of energy efficiency. It is not just about running and being resilient, efficiency will help with changing cycling gears in the energy transition towards 2040, and be faster at integrating renewables in the grid. It is empowering our industry to swim better in the global competitiveness race. In fact, energy efficiency looks more like a triathlon game.

Second, our Efficiency Club should get bigger, as everyone trying it gets a more stable future, a healthier home and an extra protection against energy price volatility. In this perspective, efficiency is key to solve housing issues and secure low bills in the long run. But as many good things, its benefits have been kept secret for too long. So let’s get more affiliates in the club – not only the geeky ones – and a bigger crowd celebrating successes.

Last but not least, we need sponsors. Continuity and diversity will be key here, as we certainly need continuous public funding e.g. from the EU recovery, cohesion, ETS and modernisation funding streams, but crucially also a more diverse set of private sponsors. If you or any of your friends happen to be interested in good investments, come and talk to me at the end of the Olympics !

Céline Carré
Head of Public Affairs
Saint-Gobain