It is essential to discuss how we can foster a truly global community of energy efficiency practitioners.
With the world grappling with rising energy demand and climate challenges, energy efficiency is increasingly recognised as one of the most effective and accessible solutions to accelerate the clean energy transition. Yet, despite its vast potential, energy efficiency remains underutilised globally, often overshadowed. Therefore, it is essential to bring together researchers, professionals, and policymakers across regions to discuss how we can foster a truly global community of energy efficiency practitioners, helping them to advance the goal of doubling energy efficiency by 2030.
From 7–11 April 2025, I attended the 20th Energy Efficiency Policy Training Week organised by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris that brought together over 120 professionals from more than 40 countries. The Training Week offered five parallel courses: Buildings, Appliances, Industry, Transport, and Indicators & Evaluation. I participated in the Indicators & Evaluation track, which provided insights into using data and evidence to develop and assess energy efficiency policies.
Efficiency in Action: Lessons from the Global Frontlines
On the first day of the training week, a series of high-level panel discussions showcased how countries are addressing energy efficiency through diverse strategies. Below are a few key takeaways from some of the most insightful discussions.
- IEA Executive Director Dr. Fatih Birol opened the week with a powerful message: energy efficiency is not just about reducing energy use - it’s about strengthening energy security, ensuring affordability, and accelerating decarbonization.
- The panel on Affordable Energy Efficiency featured case studies from Ireland, Brazil, Senegal, and Uganda. In Ireland, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is implementing several initiatives to enhance energy affordability. These include the Warmer Homes Scheme, which provides fully funded energy upgrades for eligible homeowners, and the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, offering low-interest loans to support energy-efficient home improvements.
- Another panel on Energy Skills and Jobs addressed the growing concern around the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the energy sector. While AI can enhance efficiency and decision-making, it poses a serious risk of job displacement, prompting calls for collective bargaining contracts to safeguard workers’ rights.
- In the “Inspiring finance and incentive” session, a panellist discussed “Efficiency as a Service”, a model where users pay for performance, not the appliance, removing upfront cost barriers and promoting adoption.
Indicators and Evaluation
In the following days of the week, the focus shifted from high-level panels to hands-on training on how to monitor and evaluate energy efficiency policies effectively. A key concept we explored was the energy balance i.e. a comprehensive framework used by the IEA to map national energy flows across supply, transformation, and end-use. We learned how these tables help identify gaps in data, estimate CO₂ emissions, and derive key indicators like energy intensity and self-sufficiency. We also explored real-world case studies where we applied these concepts to assess whether specific energy efficiency policies were effective by analysing key indicators.
Another key concept we explored was the Theory of Change, a structured approach to understand how and why a policy or programme is expected to achieve its intended impact. It outlines the flow from inputs (resources) to activities, then to outputs, outcomes, and long-term impacts. While real-life implementation is rarely linear, this structure helps identify gaps and test assumptions and encourages continuous learning and adaptation, allowing policymakers to refine their approach as new data and insights emerge. Ultimately, it’s a tool not just for planning, but for ensuring policies are targeted, measurable, and adaptable. Moreover, to ensure that this planned change happens and is measured effectively, we explored the importance of a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework. MEL builds on the Theory of Change by providing the tools to track progress, evaluate outcomes, and integrate learning into policy delivery. It helps answer critical questions like: Is the policy achieving what it set out to do?, Who is benefiting?, and How can we do it better? Rather than being a one-time exercise, MEL supports a continuous feedback loop, making policies more responsive, evidence-based, and impactful over time.
An especially insightful framework was the “Multiple Benefits Flower”, a visual that captures the wide-ranging co-benefits of energy efficiency beyond energy savings. These include improved air quality, job creation, health benefits, enhanced energy security, and reduced energy poverty. This holistic view reminded us that efficiency measures are not just technical fixes; they are deeply human and economic tools for change.
On the final day, we had the opportunity to put our learning into practice by designing a policy package for an emerging country. We were asked to propose an energy efficiency policy package and then develop a tailored set of indicators and an evaluation strategy to measure its impact. This exercise brought everything together, from understanding the policy context to applying the Theory of Change and MEL frameworks. This hands-on approach reinforced how robust indicators and clear evaluation frameworks are essential for designing smarter policies and ensuring accountability in energy efficiency programs.
Networking and Collaborative Learning
Beyond the structured sessions, the event created space for meaningful networking and peer learning with professionals, policymakers, and experts from around the world. We exchanged ideas on implementing energy efficiency in diverse contexts, debated policy innovations, and learned from each other’s local challenges and solutions: conversations that added real depth to the week’s technical training.
Conclusion: A Step Forward in the Energy Transition Journey
Participating in the IEA's 20th Energy Efficiency Policy Training Week was a pivotal experience that reinforced the critical role of energy efficiency in achieving global sustainability targets. It underscored the importance of international collaboration, continuous learning, and the integration of research and policy.
As a researcher, it deepened my appreciation for tools like Theory of Change and MEL, which allow us to not only plan with clarity but also adjust as new, unforeseen challenges emerge. What struck me most during the week was how different regions face different energy efficiency challenges and why one-size-fits-all policies rarely work. What might be a barrier in one country, like financing or infrastructure, could be a completely different issue elsewhere, such as data access or public awareness. This made me reflect on how important it is to develop context-specific, adaptable policy frameworks that evolve as implementation progresses.
