Global consensus builds on energy efficiency as a key pillar of energy security, climate resilience, and economic competitiveness. ESG BROADCAST shares key takeaways.
At the 10th International Energy Agency (IEA) Global Conference on Energy Efficiency held in Brussels, ministers and high-ranking officials from 47 governments issued a joint statement endorsing energy efficiency as a core driver of affordable, secure, and sustainable energy systems. The declaration reflects growing global momentum to operationalise the historic pledge made at COP28 to double energy efficiency progress by 2030.
The conference brought together nearly 700 participants from close to 100 countries, including representatives from government, industry, youth groups, and labour organisations. The event was co-chaired by European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, with organisational support from the Energy Efficiency Movement.
In their joint statement, countries reaffirmed their commitment to embedding energy efficiency into national strategies, calling it the “first fuel” in lowering emissions, reducing energy bills, and strengthening resilience. “Energy efficiency is at the heart of energy security,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “There is broad agreement that we can reap the benefits of what we at the IEA call ‘the first fuel’ – for lowering energy bills, bolstering competitiveness and energy security, and reducing emissions.”
The endorsed approach focuses on actionable, inclusive, and technology-driven policies to deliver measurable outcomes. Ministers pledged to place people at the centre of the clean energy transition, ensuring that energy efficiency policies are equitable and leave no one behind. They also highlighted the urgency of digitalising energy systems—particularly in buildings, industrial facilities, and electricity networks—to accelerate efficiency gains and modernisation.
European Commissioner Dan Jørgensen noted the EU’s strong push to prioritise energy efficiency, saying, “The cleanest and cheapest energy is the energy we don’t use.” He underlined that energy efficiency is vital to tackling the interconnected challenges of affordability, climate change, and geopolitical energy insecurity.
The ministers’ commitments also build on recent developments from the International Summit on the Future of Energy Security, where leaders stressed the value of demand-side measures in achieving more stable energy supply. The IEA’s latest research was cited in support, including the updated Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkit and the report Gaining an Edge: The Role of Energy Efficiency in Enhancing Competitiveness.
As a next step, the IEA will continue monitoring national progress through its Energy Efficiency Progress Tracker, supporting countries in evaluating their policy impact and refining measures accordingly.
Strategic significance lies in the global convergence on energy efficiency as a foundational element of modern energy policy. For ESG stakeholders, this signals increasing regulatory alignment, investment opportunities in clean technologies, and a shift toward more equitable and resilient energy systems.
ESG BROADCAST will continue monitoring the updates related to this topic. Stay tuned to be updated on the related policy and pivotal regulatory shift.
