Putting energy efficiency first. Reframing the European Investment Bank's action in times of transition and uncertainty

The study shows how the European Investment Bank (EIB) has valid reasons to start embracing the energy efficiency first principle and implement it in its lending decision: significant energy savings will be needed regardless of the climate mitigation route taken and to enable the proper roll out of its climate strategy and lead the energy transition. The study looks at how the EIB can do this through its lending policies and financial decisions.

The principle of considering energy efficiency first, for example in policy making and infrastructure planning, has evolved recently. Improving energy efficiency as long been recognised as the obvious route to improving the economic and climate performance at a project level.