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.

When building homes that are truly energy efficient, the conversation often gravitates towards insulation. However, there is another critical factor that can yield equally impactful—if not greater—results: airtightness.

To accelerate the transition to net-zero carbon emissions, the Malaysian government is set to implement the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (EECA) next year, initially targeting buildings of large energy consumers in the manufacturing and commercial sectors.

Researchers have found a more sustainable way to produce energy using plants that can survive in dry conditions such as deserts.

The coating, which is applied to HVAC condenser coils, could save these data centers an additional $16 million over the next decade, Ener.co says.

As 2024 draws to a close, Europe’s energy winter preparedness is a priority. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU and its member countries have taken many bold measures to decrease reliance on fossil fuels, accelerate the shift to clean energy and build a more resilient and diversified energy system, with a view to strengthening energy independence and ensuring stable, affordable energy supplies for citizens and businesses.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol and European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen today announced that they will co-host the IEA’s 10th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in Brussels, Belgium, on 12-13 June 2025.

The European Commission is preparing technical specifications for a study to develop a measurement framework for the energy efficiency of general-purpose AI models. Data centres’ share of global energy consumption is expected to grow to 7% by 2030.

The government is to consult on a range of measures that it says will improve efficiency and save money for households buying gas boilers and heat pumps, including hybrids, and their controls.

India is a compelling example of proactive engagement in energy efficiency pointing to an encouraging reality: By working with existing technologies and a resolve to change a we can build a sustainable future.

As buildings get smarter, AI can unlock critical insights for energy efficiency.

The EBRD, in collaboration with the EU and Japan, is providing a €4 million loan to NLB Bank AD Skopje. The funds will support energy-efficiency upgrades for households, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions and improve quality of life.

The Borough Council has reached 250 ‘declarations of eligibility’ for homes in West Norfolk under the government’s ECO4 scheme.

New research from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) finds that Texas households that swap out inefficient electric resistance heaters for heat pumps would save an average of more than $300 in utility bills annually. Switching the quarter of Texas houses and apartments that rely on electric resistance heating to heat pumps would reduce peak winter electricity demand by an amount equivalent to the output of 40 new gas-fired power plants. The report calls for Texas policymakers, regulators, and utilities to encourage heat pump adoption at the time existing central air conditioners need to be replaced.

Energy efficiency is vital for global sustainability, and India is embracing it to meet rising energy demands. With scalable solutions and renewable integration, the nation is advancing toward a greener future. Delta Electronics supports this vision through innovative technologies and sustainable initiatives.

Rising energy costs and impending regulations push landlords and tenants to rethink housing strategies.

Citizens Advice has added its voice to calls for a funding package for landlords carrying out energy efficiency improvements to their properties.

On the morning of December 3, 2024, in Da Nang, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in collaboration with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), organized a seminar on "Promoting Energy Efficiency and Conservation Market Investments in the Industrial Sector of Vietnam".

SMRT Trains has introduced Green CBTC Next Gen technology, achieving an 8% energy savings in train operations as part of its plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

The EU’s energy-efficiency policies are viewed as robust. The next challenge is making sure they’re implemented through to the local level, says the Coalition for Energy Savings and smartEn.

Vietnam

With sustainability dictating economic discourse worldwide, India’s economy faces the risk of buckling under the pressure.

Gardea Residencial in Zaragoza's Miralbueno neighborhood combines sustainable design with modern living. The two-block development features a high-performance ventilated façade made of recyclable porcelain tiles, optimizing energy efficiency. With 38 apartments and community spaces, it enhances both functionality and community integration.

Energy agencies and companies are promoting sustainable home upgrades to reduce utility bills and carbon footprints.

Mexico should promote an efficient energy policy that guarantees the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, and availability of hydrocarbons, given the rise in nearshoring, a research institute said Monday.

The Province has launched a new program to support whole-building retrofits for apartments, condominums and co-ops, helping make homes more comfortable and reducing energy bills.