Energy efficiency improvement rate needs to rise to 5.6% to meet the 2030 target.

To meet the global energy efficiency target for 2030, the rate of improvement in global energy intensity needs to increase to an annual average of 5.6% between 2026 and 2030.

According to Anadolu Agency , these figures are included in a report prepared by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the COP31 Presidency and the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA).

According to the report, energy intensity improved by only 1.7% in 2025. This is below the annual rate of 4% set as the target for 2030.

To close the existing gap, investment in energy efficiency needs to increase. Global investment in this area reached $369 billion in 2025. The report highlights the need to raise annual investment to an average of $3.2 trillion between 2026 and 2030.

The report states that electrification plays an important role in improving energy efficiency. Electric vehicles and heat pumps are considered more efficient than conventional fossil fuel-based technologies.

The share of electricity in final energy consumption is targeted to increase from 23% in 2023 to 30% by 2030. Within the framework of COP31, this figure is expected to reach 35% by 2035.

According to IRENA, electric heat pumps can be 300–400% more efficient than conventional boilers, while electric vehicles can be 60–80% more efficient than vehicles with internal combustion engines.

According to the report, the number of electric and plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles, which stood at around 57 million in 2024, needs to reach 360 million by 2030.

Under this scenario, electric vehicles could account for around 20% of the global vehicle fleet by 2030.

The report also notes that measures such as expanding charging infrastructure, developing public transport, strengthening energy efficiency standards and renovating buildings are important for improving energy efficiency.

Although 90% of the 120 national climate plans analyzed include energy efficiency, only 43% set measurable energy efficiency targets.