The ongoing war in Ukraine has underscored the EU’s vulnerability to external energy supplies. Europe’s reliance on imported fossil fuels is a liability, not only environmentally but also geopolitically. Prioritising energy efficiency alongside renewable energy and electrification is essential to reducing this dependence. The Energy Efficiency First (EE1st) principle holds the potential to strengthen security and resilience aiming at prioritising energy efficiency wherever it is the most cost-effective solution, ensuring that energy needs are met sustainably and economically.

Global energy consumption continues to rise, driven by factors such as population growth, urbanisation, industrialisation, and economic development. Efforts to improve energy efficiency are critical for managing global energy consumption and addressing sustainability challenges. By reducing the amount of energy needed to provide goods and services, energy efficiency measures can help decouple economic growth from energy consumption, enabling societies to achieve their development goals while minimising environmental impacts.

Nguyên tắc "hiệu quả năng lượng là trên hết" (Energy Efficiency First - EE1) là một chiến lược quan trọng trong việc quản lý và sử dụng năng lượng, nhằm ưu tiên việc cải thiện hiệu quả năng lượng trước khi tìm kiếm hoặc khai thác các nguồn cung cấp năng lượng mới.