Energy Efficiency for Affordable Homes and Workplaces

Event Information

Description: This thematic session called attention to key policies and implementation tools underpinning the building sector’s contribution to doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvement between now and 2030, and to energy security, affordability, and competitiveness.

In the first part of the session, speakers discussed best practices and cases from around the world, exemplifying diverse approaches to lowering the barriers for energy efficiency adoption in buildings. Keynotes were delivered by the IEA and the European Commission.

The second part focused on emerging digital solutions that can enhance compliance monitoring, simplify the retrofitting process, facilitate grid connectivity, and collect data. The wrap-up highlighted how the buildings sector can contribute to energy and climate conversations at major international fora including G7, G20, and COP30.

The session was coordinated by the Energy Efficiency Hub and the IEA, in association with the European Commission, the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction, the UK Carbon Trust, the World Green Building Council, and the Partnership for Energy Efficiency in Buildings.

About the event:

This event took place during the IEA 10th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency, which was co-hosted by the IEA and the European Commission in Brussels on the 12 and 13 June 2025, in partnership with the Energy Efficiency Movement. Further information is available on the event page.

Agenda

Part I: Policies and Best Practices

Keynotes

Ms Rosalinde van der Vlies, Director, Directorate for Just Transition, Consumers, Efficiency, and Innovation, Directorate-General for Energy, European Commission
Dr Brian Motherway, Head of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Exclusive Transitions, IEA

Panel with Discussion: Best practices for implementing building energy efficiency

Ms Cristina Gamboa, CEO, World Green Building Council
Ms Julie Kjestrup, President, Efficient Buildings Europe
Mr Feng Zhang, Deputy Director, Center of Science and Technology & Industrialization Development, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, People’s Republic of China
Mr Ben Copp, Director-General, Office of Energy Efficiency, Natural Resources Canada

Panel with Discussion: Case studies

Ms Liliana Campos-Arriaga, Head of Programmes, Energy Efficiency Refurbishment of Social Housing, GIZ Mexico
Mr Gyan Prakash Upadhyaya, Director General, Electric Power Transmission Association, India
Ms Clare McLaughlin, Head, Energy Performance and Security Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia
Mr Rashid Ali Abdallah, Executive Director, African Energy Commission

Part 1 of this session will be moderated by Dr Jonathan Sinton, Head of Secretariat, Energy Efficiency Hub.

Part 2: Digital Solutions with discussion

Keynote

Greg Jackson, CEO, Octopus Energy Group

Panel with Discussion: Digital Solutions: proven applications and emerging ideas

Mr Greg Jackson, CEO, Octopus Energy Group
Mr Nicolas Ramirez, Executive Director, World Green Buildings Council, Costa Rica
Mr Uwe Bigalke, Team Leader, Innovation & Transformation, German Energy Agency
Ms Graziella Roccella, Chief Research and Product Design Officer, Planet Smart City
Mr Wang Zhigao, Energy Foundation China

Part 2 of this session will be moderated by Ms Laura Pallares, Head of Europe, World Green Buildings Council.

Part 3: Summary and Next Steps

Closing remarks

Ms Samira Sousa, Ministry of Mines and Energy, Brazil
Dr Tudor Constantinescu, Chair, Energy Efficiency Hub, and Principal Adviser to the Director-General for Energy, European Commission, European Commission
Ms Melanie Slade, Senior Programme Manager, Energy Efficiency in Emerging Economies Programme, IEA