eu.bac co-signs industry letter urging EU to keep “Energy Efficiency First” in the Climate Law

The European Building Automation and Controls Association (eu.bac) has joined 67 companies and 27 associations in co-signing a joint letter urging the Council to keep Energy Efficiency First (EE1st) at the core of the EU Climate Law for 2040.

The signatories call on policymakers to anchor EE1st as the cornerstone of a competitive, secure, affordable, and decarbonised energy system. For buildings, this means prioritising measures that cut demand and optimise operations—where Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) deliver fast, verifiable savings while safeguarding Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and enabling demand-side flexibility.

“Putting EE1st into practice is the shortest route to lower system costs, easier renewable integration, and resilient consumers,” said Gusts Kossovics, Managing Director of eu.bac. “BACS make these outcomes measurable and scalable across Europe’s building stock.”

Why EE1st matters

• The EU’s energy-efficiency industry supports 1.2 million jobs and generates €150 billion in annual turnover.
• Efficiency lowers total system costs, reduces exposure to volatile energy prices, and speeds up the deployment of renewables and flexibility solutions.
• Smart, automated buildings continuously optimise heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting—delivering persistent savings and improved comfort.

eu.bac’s support for the joint letter reflects our long-standing advocacy for smart, efficient buildings and effective implementation of EU legislation that recognises the role of BACS in decarbonisation and energy security.

The full joint letter is available via the link below