A unique event with a brilliant atmosphere

Contributions may focus on interactions—between people, within and between groups (e.g., energy communities, companies and businesses, associations), with (changing) infrastructure, with the environment in general, and with policies. Considering current geopolitical insecurities, this panel also invites research on resilience and preparedness in relation to energy, energy security, and related topics. Furthermore, we welcome research on broader concepts, such as intermediaries between top-down and bottom-up processes, and the role of emotions in energy-efficient behaviour or change processes of any kind.

The panel welcomes contributions on, but not limited to, the following topics:

• In light of the current political atmosphere in the U.S., we encourage submissions focusing on diversity and on research around a just transition that considers energy justice, energy poverty and the people most affected — reflecting the EU’s target to “leave no one behind”
• Research on all types of behaviour, such as sufficiency lifestyles and communication activities, including the use of AI and societal debates, as well as the discussion and support of policies
• Research developing and testing new methods for co-design and participation
• Research on new means of communication, including visualizations and virtual reality/future scenarios
• Research that challenges the human-centric perspective (more-than-human)
• Studies on drivers of consumption (e.g., energy use patterns) as they provide input for the design of programmes, policies, and regulations (e.g., for ecodesign)

We welcome innovative ideas, both conceptual and based on policy experience. These may focus on end-users or other system stakeholders, and may be sector-specific or cross-sectoral. The sort of questions they may address include, but aren’t limited to:

• What policy levers can we use to change the focus from energy supply to energy demand?
• How can innovative energy demand policies deliver more competitive and more resilient industries and energy systems?
• What opportunities for energy efficiency can be found in the digitalisation of the energy system as well as within the different sectors?
• Who should pay for the energy efficiency and demand flexibility that the system needs, and how can this be financed?
• How can policy drive industry to optimise energy use while decarbonising?
• How can innovative policies enable a just transition?

Public authorities across Europe are under growing pressure to deliver on ambitious climate and energy commitments while facing fiscal constraints and competing priorities. Despite comprehensive European legislation, the indicators show we are not yet on track to meet our 2030 and 2050 goals. This situation highlights the urgent need for policies that are not only well designed but also well governed, adequately financed, and effectively implemented.

Panel 3  invites papers and discussions that explore how governance and policy can evolve to close the implementation gap. How can policy design become more adaptive and results-oriented? What governance arrangements enable long-term commitment, transparency, and accountability? How can financial and fiscal instruments — from green bonds to energy efficiency funds and performance-based incentives — scale up investment and ensure fair access to benefits?

Key themes:

• Stronger policy and governance frameworks that turn legislation into effective implementation.
• Financing solutions and market mechanisms that mobilise both public and private investment in energy efficiency.
• Integration and coherence vertically (between the EU, national, and local levels) and horizontally (across sectors) to align ambition, action, and accountability.

We particularly welcome contributions that combine practical experience with analytical insight: case studies of successful (or failed) policy measures, evaluations of governance models, and examples of financing schemes that have helped overcome market and institutional barriers.

By bringing together researchers, policymakers, financiers, and practitioners, this panel aims to identify what works — and what doesn’t — in making energy efficiency policy credible, investable, and effective. The goal is to generate fresh thinking on how Europe can build governance and finance systems strong enough to deliver the deep energy savings we need.

We are interested in why we can sometimes adapt quickly to increasingly uncertain contexts and how this can be sustained in the long term.

The changes we need require learning from the past, keeping track of the present and planning for the future – all of which need to be informed by monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment. Therefore, panel 4 wants to discuss best practices, the latest advancement and continuing challenges in monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment.

We want to explore what new information we need from monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment during the new realities created by multiple crises—for example, how to demonstrate and attribute the benefits (and costs) of resilience and adapting our lives and lifestyles. This includes drawing lessons from policies implemented during crises such as Covid-19 or the war initiated by Russia in Ukraine. In times of uncertainty, what are high-quality and transparent methodological approaches, and how can we carry out robust analysis when data collection may be difficult? How can ex-ante and ex-post assessments be used effectively, and how do distributional effects and competitiveness factor in?

We are interested in why we sometimes can adapt quickly into increasingly uncertain contexts and how this can be sustained in the long-term. In these contexts, we are also interested in how the principles of ‘efficiency first’ and ‘energy sufficiency’ are considered in evaluations and impact assessments. This includes how they are accounting for demand reduction and/or demand switching with a focus on the applicability and needs in a crisis; how multiple benefits are considered and what the possible trade-offs with non-energy impacts are; and how these can influence decisions, including how energy efficiency policies can promote sustainability transitions. 

Lastly, we’re looking for examples of new methods, framing, and uses of monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment that have increased value to key stakeholders and have proven successful in unlocking investment in energy efficiency and adaptation to difficult and quickly changing situations. We also consider questions concerning green finance, particularly what investors and financers need to know about energy efficiency and how to provide that knowledge through monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment. This includes advancements in technology and data, for example the use of big data. We also particularly encourage insights into open and transparent monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment processes.

In particular, we are looking for abstracts that address these key points:

• Is monitoring delivering a comprehensive and useful data set on the impacts of energy efficiency investments?
• What are best practices in evaluation and impact assessment that give an accurate and useful picture of energy efficiency impacts? Are there differences in approaches when they have involved policies implemented during times of crises?
• How can evaluation practices inform ex-ante assessments and improve policy design and decisions to promote energy efficiency in times of crises? What are the long-term impacts of emergency energy saving measures?
• What new information do we need from monitoring, to demonstrate the (multiple) benefits and costs of resilience and adapting our lives and lifestyles?
• How can the impact of energy efficiency on competitiveness be taken into account in monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment?
• What new methods, such as new digitalized approaches, can provide transparency and increase value for key stakeholders?

Place-based interventions are approaches that work with place-specific constraints and opportunities by focusing on collaborative efforts between different actors related to a community.  Whether these are rural or urban areas, placed based approaches are effective in supporting sustainable and resilient communities. Building on place-based strategies “energy communities” can enable collective and citizen-driven energy actions. Shared ownership of or benefit from energy resources can transform the resilience and affordability of electricity whilst accelerating the transition.

Increasingly there is a focus on urban areas and the actions of cities and mayors. Already almost half of the world’s population (45%) lives in cities, in Europe it is 60-65%. This is expected to increase further, with about 70% of both the world’s inhabitants and Europe’s living in cities in 2050. The large and increasing number of people living in cities requires that these places become resilient to (future) challenges that cities face. We use a broad definition of ‘resilience’, where we consider human behaviour and social aspects as key determining elements for a resilient city. Cities hold great opportunities for simultaneous climate protection, energy and resource efficiency, social cohesion and sustainable behaviour e.g. and economic development, employment, and wealth generation. Although cities worldwide only occupy 2% of the land area, they consume 75% of global energy and generate 80% of the greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, sustainable development of cities, facilitating and fostering sustainable behaviour of its inhabitants and multidisciplinary planning are challenges of key importance.

In order to be able to create and resilient, sustainable communities, it is vitally important to identify, understand and act on the drivers and barriers of sustainable behaviour from relevant stakeholder groups. This covers a broad range of issues whether it is different residents’ groups determining how they interact with each other, or how they heat their homes, or (local) government, or private actors implementing policy and providing goods and services. Civil society, local governments, local business life and other stakeholders need to work closely together on making cities more resilient and sustainable. 

It is increasing key to have cooling strategies, both passive and active, in communities as the effects of climate change and warmer summers have seen extreme heat waves across the world including all parts of Europe. Community responses to both the recent impacts of COVID-19 and the energy crisis may also offer insights into future resilience strategies. 

Smart technologies can also provide an important contribution to the sustainable development of communities, offering new interdisciplinary opportunities to improve services while reducing energy consumption and emissions and implementing new roles along the energy value chain, where traditional business models are rapidly becoming outdated, with more demanding consumers and sustainability policies

Panel 5 welcomes contributions that are dedicated to best practices, and concrete examples that have worked in increasing the resilience of communities. It is important that contributions have surpassed the theoretical stage, panel 5 would like to see research tested in practice. We specifically welcome contributions focused on understanding, facilitating and fostering sustainable behaviour of relevant stakeholders, e.g. citizens, (local) governments and private sector actors (e.g. local businesses and service providers) and sustainable business parks. 

Some relevant topics include:

• Fostering sustainable and inclusive local (energy) communities and what is needed for them to have a substantial sustainable and/or social impact. 
• What is needed for residents in communities to adopt sustainable measures in their home, ranging from sustainable installations like solar panels and heat pumps, to insulation. Specific attention to how to adopt cooling measures is also encouraged.
• How to increase community building in general, increasing trust among neighbours, foster local initiatives e.g. time banks, and skill sharing networks, public space activations.
• Understanding the needs and involving of the un-usual suspects, particular specific challenges of urban or rural areas, hard to reach target groups, decrease polarization between groups.

Contributions may also focus on policy design, urban design and planning, development and assessment of resilient cities.  

Some relevant topics are:

• Identifying and tackling large contributors (e.g. practices, production, behaviour) to unsustainable cities. On what practises should policy makers focus, what stakeholders should come together?
• How to realize and combine enough, affordable and sustainable housing for an increasing number of citizens?
• Reflection on concepts like the ’15 minute’ cities, what are lessons learned, to what extent are these successful and 
• Examples how to tackle grid congestion
• How can we make our cities climate adaptive, e.g. how to keep them cool (and what would be an effective mix of cooling measures) prevent droughts and floods
• How to prepare cities for energy and climate related calamities like power outages, no access to gas due to e.g. geopolitical tension. 
• comparisons of smart and sustainable cities (case studies, replication, and transfer across cities and communities).
• New insights and use of ICT (smart meters, smart appliances, monitoring and control systems, etc.) for energy management at community and city district levels and their potential for energy and cost savings.
• New insights on electrification, integration of renewable generation, and demand flexibility options (including demand response and energy storage) to achieve net-zero energy communities.

Contributions may also focus on urban planning issues or the implementation of local actions, as well as on cross-cutting aspects linking several aspects related to sustainable communities and city districts. Some relevant topics are:

• Regeneration of urban space, design options for greening urban environments and urban challenges related to energy and climate.
• Local actions (experiments, projects, and demonstrations) in cities and rural areas and their role in learning and upscaling.
• Local governance structures, urban governance strategies, policies, and financing for community solutions and cooperation to achieve low carbon energy transitions at the community and/or urban area level.

The role of place in transport and mobility transitions. There are, famously, no one-size-fits-all solutions for decarbonising or transforming mobility systems: transitions unfold within distinct historical, geographical, socioeconomic and political contexts, each of which shapes the viable envelopes for change. This panel invites contributions that explore how transport and mobility futures are co-produced through local conditions, ranging from energy systems and labour markets to governance structures, cultural practices and spatial form. We aim to foster cross-context learning between countries, regions, cities and rural areas, highlighting how diverse approaches can inform more just, effective, and context-sensitive transitions. We welcome submissions from across the spectrum of transport and mobility research, including economics, policy, engineering, planning, finance and interdisciplinary perspectives that examine how place-based factors influence transport and mobility transitions.

(Innovative) transport policies and solutions in a changing world. We are living in a time of profound global disruption: public health crises, accelerating climate change, geopolitical tensions and war, economic volatility and demographic shifts are all changing societies' transport and energy needs.  Some argue that innovative technology and policies are key to overcoming all current and future challenges. Others argue that the solutions already exist but need to be implemented through strict policies. What data and models are needed to ensure evidence-based policy making? How do international and national transport policies interact? How can countries learn from each other? How can we guarantee sufficient monitoring and evaluation of policies? Are national or regional solutions needed? What benefits do innovative policies and solutions provide?

Balancing environmental goals with social justice in the transport transition. While many developments and ideas for the transition towards climate-neutral and low-carbon mobility systems have a positive impact on the climate, the environment and society, parts of the transition also raise questions about social inequalities and transport poverty. Examples include the cost of switching to an electric vehicle (EV), low emission zones, the lack of barrier-free transport options, land use, and the availability and affordability of charging infrastructure. What are the main needs and challenges during the transition, and how do these differ for different socioeconomic groups and business sectors? Which policy solutions are best suited to ensuring that no group, including marginalised populations, is left behind by guaranteeing reliable access to jobs, services, and connectivity? How do transport policies impact vulnerable transport users differently?

In short the themes can be summarised as:

• How do place-specific geographies, infrastructures and social contexts shape transport and mobility transitions, and to what extent can lessons be transferred across countries, regions, cities and rural areas?
• In an era of acute global disruption, what (innovative) policies are needed to guide the development of robust and resilient transport systems fit for the future?
• What is needed to ensure that the transition to climate-neutral transport systems is socially just? How do policies differentially impact vulnerable users, and which approaches best guarantee access to services, goods and opportunities for the most people?

The buildings sector is at the heart of Europe’s energy transition, accounting for around 40% of energy consumption and more than one third of greenhouse gas emissions. Its transformation towards energy efficiency and renewable energies is essential to meet climate goals, protect consumers from energy crises, strengthen industrial competitiveness, ensure social justice, and improve citizens’ quality of life.

Over the past five years, the European Union has launched ambitious policies such as the Renovation Wave and the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), aiming for ambitious energy efficiency and deep decarbonisation of the building stock. But as we approach 2030, with increasingly demanding climate and efficiency targets, it is time to reflect:

• Are we already on the right pathway to transforming Europe’s buildings?
• Are policies accelerating energy-efficient renovation and sustainable construction?
• Are we preparing our buildings to withstand energy, climate and geopolitical crises?

Since the last Summer Study in 2024, the political landscape has shifted: Growing societal polarisation is putting increasing pressure on policies for energy efficient and decarbonized buildings. Policymakers now find themselves in the position of having to defend achievements. This political backlash is accompanied by other challenges: the ongoing war in Ukraine, less stable transatlantic cooperation, energy insecurity, housing pressure and affordability issues, and politically sensitive debates – for instance, around ETS2. In these times, buildings become a strategic axis for integrated and effective policymaking, bridging environmental, social, economic and geopolitical dimensions – and placing new demands on the design of public policy.

This panel invites critical analysis of the policies and programmes shaping the buildings sector, with a particular focus on the national implementation of the EPBD by May 2026. We aim to assess whether these policies are triggering a genuine transformation towards a building stock which is energy-efficient, renewable, resilient and people-centred.

Therefore, we welcome contributions to the panel that focus on one or several of the following questions:

• How effective has recent EU legislation been in accelerating the transformation towards an energy-efficient and zero-emission building-stock?
• What are examples of good practices, failures and gaps in current policies?
• Which innovative approaches and international perspectives should be integrated into European policy mixes?
• How are different Member States defining optimal energy efficiency levels, and how do renovation strategies interact with renewable heating solutions?
• How can embodied carbon considerations be integrated into decarbonisation pathways and emissions targets?
• How can improved data collection, accessibility and digitalisation enhance the design, implementation and monitoring of building policies?
• How can Member States asses needs, provide structures and actively renovate their public buildings in order to reach efficiency targets defined in EED and EPBD?
• How can citizens, local governments and the private sector be mobilised for investments into future-proof buildings?
• What policies are being developed to support buildings that are not only energy-efficient, but also healthy, adaptable and resilient for occupants?
• How can financial and regulatory instruments – such as the Social Climate Fund, the European Competitiveness Fund or national schemes – be leveraged to scale up renovation and construction efforts?
• What policy responses are emerging to address housing pressure and affordability issues, and how do they intersect with energy efficiency and climate goals?

Energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, the use of renewable energies as well as circular economy will be the scope of the topics. Furthermore, the discussions will cover not only on the use phase of products and technologies but also on their entire life cycle. 

Since the last Summer Study, topics such as Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), circular economy, critical raw materials, and artificial intelligence have gained significant prominence in relation to products.

For products and appliances, we invite abstracts that address, among others, the following questions:

• Consumer behaviour: How can consumers be guided towards purchasing sustainable appliances and using them in a sustainable way?
• Beyond efficiency: How can product policies deliver additional environmental and economic benefits?
• Ecodesign and ESPR: What are the main impacts of the transition from Ecodesign to ESPR for energy‑related products? Is energy efficiency at risk of being sidelined in the new framework or are energy efficiency requirements even more relevant as they deliver costs savings for the end-users? What challenges arise in implementing ESPR? Are there enough reliable data and methodologies to develop ESPR implementing acts? 
• Artificial intelligence: Do we have still a user on board? Should AI be integrated into energy efficiency and product policies and if so, how? Will AI deliver savings or increase the energy consumption and the overall environmental impact?

Furthermore, we welcome contributions that considers the building´s function and possible flexibility regarding decarbonisation. Below are examples of such topics: 

• Digital solutions that will improve the buildings SRI (the smart readiness of buildings) in their capability to optimize energy efficiency and overall in-use performance, adapt their operation to the needs of the occupants and adapt to signals from the grid.
• Products or systems for peak load levelling, i.e. that can reduce the building´s energy need at peak loads.
• Solutions that increase capacity for demand-side flexibility and involvement of the users.
• Solutions for increased flexibility with at-site-energy-production in combination with energy storage.
• Switch to low-carbon energy sources or electricity for space heating and cooling in existing buildings.

In general, following topics are also of interest:

• Business-models fostering energy efficiency and sustainability.
• Use of digital twins in buildings, building technologies, and appliances to improve decarbonisation and sustainability.

Energy efficiency stands at the centre of sustainable industrial development, serving as a key lever for reducing energy consumption, operational costs, and environmental impacts. By adopting advanced technologies, optimising processes, and embracing resource efficiency, industries can significantly lower their carbon emissions while enhancing competitiveness. As sustainability becomes a strategic priority, energy efficiency measures are not only improving environmental outcomes but also driving innovation and long-term business resilience. To help achieving these goals, AI and IT technologies are playing a pivotal role in accelerating industrial decarbonisation by enabling smarter energy management, predictive maintenance, and process optimisation. Using existing methodologies, together with emerging technologies can also help SMEs to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise. SMEs often lack capital and expertise, making it hard to adopt new technologies. Targeted financial incentives, technical help, and policy support can enable them to cut emissions, boost competitiveness, and contribute to climate goals.

Decarbonization across European industries is advancing through the integration of advanced technologies and robust policy frameworks. Both large industries and SMEs are adopting solutions like electrification, hydrogen, and carbon capture, with modular systems and shared infrastructure enabling smaller companies to overcome resource limitations. The European Union’s Clean Industrial Deal further accelerates this transformation by providing substantial funding, regulatory incentives, and streamlined permitting, while market-based mechanisms such as emissions trading and carbon border adjustments foster innovation and safeguard the competitiveness of European industry.

This integrated approach is reinforced by strong organizational leadership, a culture of sustainability, and the adoption of cutting-edge digital tools – AI, digital twins, and IIoT – that optimize operations and energy use. Technical guidance, energy audits, benchmarking, and collaborative platforms empower continuous improvement and knowledge sharing, while access to green finance and certification creates new market opportunities. Ultimately, Europe’s coordinated decarbonization efforts link policy, technology, and organizational change, driving both large and small firms toward a resilient, competitive, and low-carbon future.

The panel will showcase strategies that combine these efficiency improvements with digitalization, electrification, and circular economy approaches, demonstrating how a holistic transformation can deliver both economic and environmental benefits.

The main themes to be addressed on the panel:

• What are the most effective strategies for integrating energy efficiency, electrification, renewable energy sources and hydrogen in different industrial sectors?
• How can SMEs overcome financial and technical barriers to adopt advanced decarbonization solutions?
• What lessons can be drawn from recent pilots or case studies on decentralized renewables for industrial applications?
• How can collaborative platforms accelerate the diffusion of decarbonization technologies across both SMEs and large industries?
• How can changes in process design or operational practices help uncover and address persistent energy inefficiencies in industrial operations?
• What impact do comprehensive employee training and engagement programmes have on sustaining long-term energy efficiency improvements in industrial settings?
• Which sector-specific business models, organisational or behavioural practices have consistently delivered significant reductions in energy use without compromising output or quality?
• How can energy efficiency be integrated with other interventions (e.g., renewable energy sources, hydrogen production and/or use, circular economy and resource efficiency, energy communities) to achieve carbon-neutral industries?
• How are recent EU policy initiatives, such as the Clean Industrial Deal and carbon border adjustment mechanisms, shaping industrial decarbonization?
• What market mechanisms have proven most effective in driving innovation and energy efficiency in industry?
• How can permitting and regulatory processes be streamlined to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in industrial settings?
• What financing models and incentives are most successful in supporting the adoption of low-carbon technologies by industry?
• What is the future of the energy efficiency policies (EED or other) in industrial sectors?
• What is the role of standards in achieving carbon neutral industry?
• What role does corporate leadership and ESG alignment play in achieving ambitious energy efficiency targets?
• How can cross-functional teams and employee engagement programs drive continuous improvement in industrial energy performance?
• What are the best practices for transparent sustainability reporting and benchmarking progress in industrial organizations?
• What are the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) solutions for non-intensive or small companies?
• How are digital twins and AI-powered analytics transforming energy management and operational efficiency in industry?
• What are the main challenges and opportunities for SMEs in adopting Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) platforms?
• How can cloud-based solutions democratize access to advanced digital tools for smaller industrial players?
• What evidence exists regarding the impact of digitalization on energy savings and emissions reduction in industrial operations?
• How can real-time data and performance monitoring systems be leveraged to identify and address energy inefficiencies?
• What are the most effective technical guides and tools for implementing energy efficiency measures in various industrial sectors?
• How do sector-specific energy audits and benchmarking tools support continuous improvement in energy performance?
• What best practices have emerged from thematic studies on compressed air, waste heat recovery, and advanced metering?
• How do collaborative industry clusters and innovation hubs accelerate the adoption of proven energy efficiency solutions?
• How do energy efficiency networks and collective purchasing programs enhance competitiveness for SMEs?
• What policy instruments are most effective in supporting SMEs’ participation in industrial decarbonization?
• How can SMEs leverage digitalization and modular energy solutions to scale improvements incrementally?
• What are the key barriers and enabling factors for SMEs to access green financing and certification schemes?

The panel aims at integrating these aspects of the transition towards climate-neutral basic industries. Scientists, policy makers and industry practitioners as well as decision makers will exchange the latest approaches and findings and particularly benefit from the huge body of concepts and success stories from energy efficiency.