With Climate Week NYC just a few weeks away, the urgency of addressing climate change is all around us: sea temperatures are breaking records, New Yorkers can’t go out because of Canadian forest fires, and heatwaves keep people indoors in large parts of the world.
We need to act, and do it now – and we can.
At Climate Group’s landmark event this September, we’ll discuss game-changing technologies and innovative financing that will accelerate action on energy efficiency in the built environment. After all, the greenest form of energy is the energy you don’t use, and improving the energy efficiency of our homes, offices, and factories is climate critical.
Buildings comprise almost 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and just four appliance categories – lighting, air conditioning, refrigeration, and industrial motor systems – use 40% of global electricity demand. However, according to IEA’s, the other ’40 figure’ is that energy efficiency improvements can deliver over 40% of the necessary global reduction in energy-related emissions over the next two decades.
Energy efficiency may seem less tangible than renewables and not as shiny as EVs. But innovations in energy efficiency will change how we live, work, think, and travel.
The Inflation Reduction Act and a renovation revolution
At Climate Week NYC, the EP100 team will debate how businesses and governments can best deploy these innovations in energy efficiency, plus how we can finance their installation at pace and at scale.
We already have the tools to increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
Earlier this year, the world’s most powerful politicians finally woke up to the power of energy efficiency in the face of the energy crisis. Policymakers must now set ambitious targets and financially support cities, states, businesses, and citizens to open up their toolboxes and reap the rewards from increased energy efficiency.
Enter the Inflation Reduction Act in the US. Passed in 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act is one of the most transformative pieces of climate legislation in history.
The legislation extends beyond emissions reduction, promising to enhance energy efficiency, create high-quality jobs, and tackle energy poverty.
According to the Climate Group’s CEO, Helen Clarkson, in New York, the Climate Group will discuss the immense opportunities it provides and how businesses, cities, and states can access its funding. Plus, how other jurisdictions worldwide can follow suit and open up vital financing for critical energy efficiency improvements.
“It’s time to kick start a renovation revolution in buildings to drive energy efficiency. Over 80% of existing buildings, whether efficient or not, are set to remain in use by 2050. That’s why the Climate Group team will unveil its new plans at Climate Week NYC to help propel renovation rates toward the world’s net zero goals. Our latest project seeks to accelerate the renovation revolution, paving the way for a more energy-efficient and sustainable built environment.
This event offers a pivotal platform to foster collaboration and shed light on the common challenges that must be tackled together. We will push the needle towards a sustainable and energy-efficient future by uniting stakeholders and driving collective action.”
