But despite bold promises and a steady flow of strategies, the gap between ambition and actual progress remains alarmingly wide. So, is the 2030 Energy Efficiency Action Plan a true turning point — or just another well-meaning declaration?
EU energy efficiency: big ambitions, harsh realities
The 2030 target: a tough road ahead
Under current EU commitments, final energy consumption across the bloc should decrease by 11.7% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels. This is a core goal of the EU’s broader push for energy transformation, which also includes ramping up renewables and reducing reliance on fossil fuel imports.
In May 2025, the European Commission reviewed Member States’ updated National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). While it welcomed the rise in national ambitions, it also flagged a significant implementation gap — one that will require “further action” to close.
But what exactly does “further action” mean? While the numbers may look slightly better on paper, the reality is far more complex. Do Member States actually have the political tools and financial means to deliver on these targets? And if not, will the EU once again adjust its definitions or metrics to avoid falling short?
The “Triple Win” of energy efficiency – still elusive?
Energy efficiency — using less energy to achieve the same results — has long been a golden rule of EU climate policy. In theory, it offers a triple benefit: cutting emissions, enhancing energy independence, and lowering bills.
The Commission estimates that without existing efficiency measures, Europe’s energy demand today would be 27% higher — the equivalent of the total consumption of France, the Netherlands, Austria, and Finland combined.
The savings potential is enormous. But here’s the catch: those savings only materialize if all Member States implement measures consistently and equitably — even those with limited investment capacity.
This raises an uncomfortable question: Are EU funding mechanisms — such as cohesion policy and green transition funds — truly adequate to support large-scale building renovations, power grid upgrades, and energy-smart technologies across Central and Southern Europe? So far, financial support hasn’t always matched the pace of climate ambition.
The 2030 Action Plan: blueprint or wishlist?
In June 2025, EU Commissioner Dan Jørgensen unveiled the Action Plan for Energy Efficiency, outlining 10 focus areas ranging from sectoral policies to education and international partnerships.
Top priorities for 2025–2026 include:
- Launching a new “Efficiency Action Forum 2030”
- Creating a fresh electrification strategy
- Rethinking approaches to heating and cooling systems
While the plan does include concrete proposals, many of them require time, funding, and political will — all things that are in short supply. One major challenge? The building sector, which is responsible for around 40% of total EU energy consumption, is also among the most capital-intensive to reform.
The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) calls for full decarbonisation of Europe’s building stock by 2050 and requires national building renovation plans. But are these goals realistically achievable without drastically increased investment and simpler procedures? Based on past experience, optimism might be premature.
Heating and cooling: the EU’s lagging sector
While the electricity sector has made huge strides in decarbonisation, heating and cooling remain stuck in the past — still heavily reliant on fossil fuels. In 2023, only 26.2% of the energy used for heating and cooling came from renewables, according to Eurostat — far behind other sectors.
A recent update to the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) aims to better integrate waste heat and cooling, giving this sector a more prominent role in the energy transition. But without solid financial incentives and market signals, even the best-designed rules risk going nowhere.
Time will tell whether the Commission has truly learned from its past missteps in this area.
The power of people: everyday choices, big impact
Energy efficiency isn’t just about big policy moves and industry shifts — it also depends on everyday decisions made by individual citizens.
Something as simple as switching from regular light bulbs to LEDs can slash energy use by 90%. Running your washing machine on an Eco cycle saves both energy and water. And upgrading your appliances to more efficient models could save your household up to €250 a year.
In fact, the Commission estimates that eco-design and energy labelling rules could help the EU save the equivalent of 230 million tonnes of oil by 2030.
But here’s the rub: how many people even know these tools exist? Are resources like the Energy Efficiency Product Database widely used? Without better communication and some level of financial support, changing consumption habits might prove too slow.
Between COP28 promises and European realities
At COP28 in 2023, the EU pledged to triple global renewable capacity and double the rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. Inspiring words — but delivering on them hinges on action at the national and local levels.
While the EU can chart a course, it’s up to individual Member States to actually walk the path. And as the Commission’s latest reviews show, the pace of action is far from uniform. Some countries are speeding ahead, while others are struggling to catch up.
So the real question is: can the EU provide the coordination, investment, and solidarity needed to ensure no country is left behind on the road to 2030?
Only time — and action — will tell.
Written by
Shape the conversation
Do you have anything to add to this story? Any ideas for interviews or angles we should explore? Let us know if you’d like to write a follow-up, a counterpoint, or share a similar story.
©2025 Pulse Z. Design & developed by Matrix Internet Opens in a new tab