Joint letter asking COP31 Presidency to put energy efficiency at the heart of its Action Agenda

Efficient Buildings Europe joins more than 300 businesses and organisations from 39 countries and territories in signing an open letter calling on the COP31 Presidency to put energy efficiency at the heart of its Action Agenda.

The COP31 Presidency’s announcement of the new Action Agenda goals for waste reduction, electrification and energy intensity of buildings presents a refreshed opportunity to elevate energy efficiency, and to spur momentum towards achieving the goal to double the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030.

We offer the following five strategic principles to help guide the COP31 dialogue and promote public-private sector action:

• Energy efficiency is a universal domestic resource that strengthens energy security and paves the path to economic competitiveness, growth and prosperity through reduction of energy needs and energy optimization that are both instrumental to expanding energy access.
• Energy efficiency technology, equipment and financial solutions are available now, deployable at scale and among the best ways to improve affordability, offset rising energy demand and costs, and boost economic competitiveness.
• Energy efficiency reduces waste across local economies and global supply chains. Efficient equipment and systems help avoid energy, water, and economic losses.
• Energy efficiency is a critical investment in our infrastructure, especially in our buildings and our cities. It delivers energy reliability, emissions reductions, as well as health, safety and productivity benefits to our people and businesses.
• Energy efficiency projects stimulate investment, help close the global gap in skilled energy professionals, generate quality, local jobs across sectors, advancing a just and inclusive energy transition.

We urge the COP31 Presidency to embed energy efficiency across these new Action Agenda goals and look forward to working with the Presidency to elevate energy efficiency as a cross-cutting solution at COP31.

We know the power of energy efficiency, and that it is foundational to build strong, secure, sustainable and competitive businesses and economies. As the private sector, we are ready to partner with governments to develop, innovate, finance, and implement solutions that accelerate uptake of more efficient technologies and systems, and we look forward to working with you.