Opinions

Energy efficiency is the most cost-effective way to achieve economic growth, decarbonize economies and meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, write Kim Fausing and Rachel Kyte.

The theme for this year’s EU Sustainable Energy Week is ’Shaping Europe’s Energy Future’ – that future holds plenty of potential and must rest on further integration across sector and policies to ensure we optimize our energy systems for optimal performance and efficiency.

We are running out of time to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030, and need urgent and ambitious climate leadership. Cities are central to this effort and it is crucial that we continue to enable our cities to address and solve climate challenges.

The need for cooling is increasing worldwide. We need it to keep our food quality high, reduce our losses, and deliver safe food. We need it in our hospitals, homes, and educational institutions. We need it all the time. Read interview with Jürgen Fischer, President of Danfoss Cooling, where he explains why we have an obligation to act.

Sustainable cooling shouldn’t be a luxury. Well-known solutions, such as low-GWP refrigerants enable a strong performance in terms of affordability, energy efficiency, and sustainability. However, safety still poses a major concern. Our greatest challenge is that there aren’t enough professionals with the right training and education to put these solutions into action.

The world’s greatest potential is waiting to be unleashed. It can help us get our planet back on track and to achieve the Paris Agreement – keeping the global temperature rise well below 2°C.