10th annual IEA Global Conference: Accelerating energy efficiency for a better climate and economy

The 10th annual IEA Global Conference on Energy Efficiency, a key issue for a secure and affordable zero-emissions energy system, was held in Brussels. Although energy efficiency plays a crucial role in meeting climate targets, implementation is still lagging significantly. The two-day forum aimed to reverse this trend and accelerate progress substantially.

The conference was organised by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in cooperation with the European Commissioner for Energy and the Energy Efficiency Movement. Ministers, CEOs and experts from almost 100 countries gathered in Brussels. The opening address was delivered by European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen.

“To fight climate change while providing our citizens with affordable, clean energy, energy efficiency must be at the heart of everything we do. We have made progress in Europe and around the world, but it is too slow. We need to do more—and faster,” Jørgensen said.

The conference built on the agreement reached at last year’s COP28 summit in Dubai, where countries pledged to double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030. This step is considered crucial to achieving global climate goals. Participants at this year’s forum discussed how to make more effective use of the potential for energy savings and thereby help improve energy affordability for consumers, support industrial competitiveness and strengthen energy security across all regions of the world.

Conference programme

The conference programme included panel discussions, roundtables, workshops and other expert meetings. Following the opening ceremony, the main panel, “From awareness to ambition to action”, highlighted the need to move from plans to the actual implementation of measures. The morning session also examined the private sector’s role, both in terms of innovation and the economic benefits of energy efficiency. The afternoon focused on investment, competitiveness and job creation, with the first day concluding with the “Affordable energy for all” panel and a special address by His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho.

The second day of the conference focused on in-depth technical discussions. The morning began with the topic of financing energy efficiency, followed by a debate on the future of appliance regulation and a joint call to action by governments and businesses. In the afternoon, parallel workshops addressed specific areas: integrating energy savings into distribution networks, affordable housing and workplaces, and boosting industrial competitiveness through efficient technologies.

The programme as a whole underscored that energy efficiency is not merely a technical discipline, but a strategic tool for a just transition, a stronger economy and social development.