Global Industrial Energy Efficiency Improvement Trends
Global Industrial Energy Efficiency Improvement Trends
As the global focus on sustainable development continues to increase, various industries are looking for ways to improve energy efficiency. This article will comprehensively analyze the industrial energy efficiency improvement measures of Chinese, European and international companies in the new era and look forward to the future trends of the industry.
China’s 15-year New Energy System Five-Year Plan
China announced its new energy system plan in the "Outline of the Fifteenth Five-Year Plan of the People's Republic of China" in June 2026, setting development goals until 2030. This plan aims to build a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system, emphasizing the use of renewable energy, energy efficiency improvement and technological upgrading. It is foreseeable that in the future, China will increase its support for improving energy efficiency in the industrial sector and promote the transformation of traditional industries into green and low-carbon.
European industrial electricity price policy approved by European Commission
In April 2026, the European Commission approved a new policy on industrial electricity prices, aiming to reduce the energy costs of industrial enterprises and promote the improvement of energy efficiency. The new policy will provide financial support for eligible energy efficiency projects, including the adoption of energy-saving technologies and the implementation of emission reduction measures. The introduction of this policy reflects Europe’s concern for energy issues in the industrial sector and its determination to promote the achievement of the emission reduction targets stipulated in the Paris Agreement.
Siemens promotes sustainable smart infrastructure
As a global leader in electrification and automation, Siemens continues to be committed to building sustainable smart infrastructure. In February 2026, Siemens released a report on sustainable smart infrastructure. The report mentioned that the company achieves efficient use of energy through technological innovation, especially digital automation and smart grid solutions. Siemens' cooperation case shows that companies can effectively reduce energy consumption and environmental impact through technological upgrading, which has an important demonstration role in improving industrial energy efficiency.
Chinese companies use ESG to drive transformation of global value chains
In a piece of news in March 2026, China's TCL Group successfully drove the green transformation of its global value chain by implementing ESG (environmental, social and governance) strategies. By investing in environmentally friendly technologies and optimizing production processes, TCL not only reduces its own energy consumption, but also improves the sustainability of its supply chain. This move provides an example for how companies in China and even global economies can take on the responsibility of environmental protection while pursuing economic benefits.
Promote the zero-carbon factory concept
In January 2026, the zero-carbon factory became one of the daily words of the China Daily network. A zero-carbon plant is one that produces little or no carbon dioxide emissions during production, including through the use of clean energy. The popularity of this concept heralds a profound transformation in industrial production patterns, from high energy consumption and emissions to low- or even no-carbon development. The Chinese government, enterprises and scientific research institutions have achieved some preliminary results in the construction of zero-carbon factories, which is of great significance for improving energy efficiency in the entire industrial sector.
Conclusions and Prospects
Global improvements in industrial energy efficiency are becoming a trend, whether it is government policy support, such as China's fifteenth five-year plan and Europe's electricity price adjustment policy, or independent corporate actions, such as TCL's ESG practices and Siemens' smart infrastructure construction, are moving in a more sustainable direction. In particular, the development and practice of the concept of "zero-carbon factory" not only reflects the possibilities brought by technological progress, but also demonstrates the determination to transition to a green economy. In the future, with the introduction of more relevant policies and the continuous emergence of technological innovations, energy use efficiency in the industrial sector will be further improved, contributing to the achievement of global climate goals.
Reference Sources
- China unveils 15th Five-Year Plan for new energy system, targets 2030- Coal Resource Network (June 26, 2026)
- Industrial electricity price: Approval by the European Commission (as of April 2026)- Taylor Wessing (24.04.2026)
- Sustainable Smart Infrastructure- Siemens (13.02.2026)
- [ESG +20 Sustainability Leaders] China's TCL Leverages ESG to Drive Global Value Chain Transformation- Yicai Global (March 20, 2026)
- The Word Daily | zero-carbon factory- China Daily Network (January 22, 2026)
FAQ
What are the main goals of China's 15th Five-Year Plan Outline on the energy system announced in June 2026?
China's 15-year energy new system five-year plan aims to build a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system, emphasizing the use of renewable energy, energy efficiency improvements and technological upgrades, and plans to complete these development goals by 2030.
What is the purpose of the new industrial electricity tariff policy approved by the European Commission in April 2026?
The policy aims to reduce energy costs for industrial enterprises, promote energy efficiency improvements, and provide financial support for eligible energy efficiency projects, including the adoption of energy-saving technologies and the implementation of emission-reduction measures.
What specific measures has Siemens taken to build a sustainable smart infrastructure?
Siemens achieves efficient use of energy through technological innovations, especially digital automation and smart grid solutions, demonstrating the ability of companies to upgrade their technology to improve industrial energy efficiency.
How does TCL Group leverage its ESG strategy to drive the green transformation of its global value chain?
By investing in environmentally friendly technologies and optimizing production processes, TCL Group has succeeded in reducing its own energy consumption and improving the sustainability of its supply chain, demonstrating the company's practice of striking a balance between economic benefits and environmental protection.
What is the concept of a zero-carbon factory and what does it mean for the transformation of China's industrial production model?
A zero-carbon plant is a plant that produces little or no carbon dioxide emissions during production, including through the use of clean energy. The popularity of this concept marks that China's industrial production model is shifting from high energy consumption and high emissions to low-carbon or even carbon-free development, which is crucial for improving energy efficiency in the entire industrial sector.