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Global momentum on energy efficiency is expected to accelerate in 2025, according to the International Energy Agency’s latest annual update, signalling renewed progress in an area seen as essential for strengthening energy security, boosting economic competitiveness and cutting both energy costs and emissions.

The IEA’s Energy Efficiency 2025 report shows that global primary energy intensity, the key metric used to measure improvements in energy efficiency, is projected to rise by 1.8% this year. This marks a notable increase from the 1% recorded in 2024.

Early estimates suggest that major economies including India and China are beginning to show signs of stronger improvement compared with their average performance since 2019.

Since 2019, global energy efficiency gains have been relatively weak, averaging just 1.3% annually, well below the roughly 2% per year recorded between 2010 and 2019.

“The acceleration in global progress on energy efficiency that we’re seeing in 2025 is encouraging, including positive signs in some major emerging economies. But our analysis shows that governments need to work even harder to ensure efficiency’s full range of benefits are enjoyed by as many people as possible,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “Energy efficiency has the power to enhance people’s lives and livelihoods through greater energy security, more affordable bills, improved economic competitiveness and lower emissions.”

New challenges

Despite the improvement, the world remains far from achieving the goal set at COP28 in Dubai, where nearly 200 governments committed to doubling the global average annual rate of efficiency improvements to 4% by 2030.

The report highlights areas where policy action is gaining strength but also points to persistent challenges. Around two-thirds of global growth in final energy demand since 2019 has come from industry, a sector where efficiency improvements have slowed considerably.

In addition, policy development is often failing to keep pace with technological advances, particularly for appliances such as air conditioners. While wider access to air conditioning has improved comfort for millions, most units sold today are far less efficient than the best available models, driving up electricity use and household costs.

The IEA notes two key pathways for governments to accelerate progress: raising the ambition of existing policies, and closing policy gaps, especially in regions with fast-growing energy demand. For instance, around half of all countries still lack minimum efficiency standards for new buildings.

To support this effort, the IEA has updated its Energy Efficiency Progress Tracker with the latest regional data and expanded its Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkit with new case studies showcasing best practices from around the world.

Ariston Middle East is preparing to showcase its newest line-up of innovative, future-ready and sustainable water-heating solutions at Big 5 Global 2025, taking place from 24-28 November at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The company’s latest technologies will be featured in Hall 3, Stand 3A131, within the pavilion of regional distributor MAHY Khoory, reinforcing Ariston’s long-standing brand promise: “The Home of Sustainable Comfort.”

“The Big 5 Global stands as the construction industry's most important and influential gathering, firmly rooted in Dubai,” said Alberto Torner, Head of International Markets (AMEA) at Ariston Group. “Thermal comfort has historically placed a significant burden on electrical networks and contributed to CO₂ emissions. As a global specialist with a 95-year heritage and leadership in over 40 countries, it is our responsibility to guide the conversation around energy transition. At Big 5, we are proud to showcase three innovative solutions that highlight the sustainability-driven technology embedded across our range.”

Taking centre stage at the exhibition is one of Ariston’s advanced heat-pump water-heating systems, the Nuos FIT. This compact thermodynamic water heater extracts heat from the surrounding air to dramatically reduce electricity consumption, delivering up to 50 per cent energy savings compared to traditional electric models. Using the environmentally friendly R290 refrigerant, it performs effectively across a wide temperature range from +7 °C to +42 °C and can achieve storage temperatures of 62 °C without relying on a backup heater. Four operating modes — Green, Green Plus, Boost and i-Memory — along with smart remote control via the Ariston NET app, further enhance efficiency and convenience.

Ariston will also feature the Velis Tech WiFi, an electrical water heater engineered to reduce energy use without compromising performance. With an ultra-slim 27 centimetre depth and twin-tank configuration, it offers faster heating and increased hot-water availability. Its ECO EVO mode intelligently learns household patterns to deliver up to 25 per cent energy savings, while the Boost function heats both tanks rapidly to 80 °C. Wi-Fi connectivity allows users to manage scheduling, monitor consumption and adjust settings through the Ariston NET app.

Completing the line-up is the PRO1 Eco, introduced earlier this year in the UAE. Powered by the patented CoreTECH-enabled ECO EVO system, it analyses daily usage habits to heat water only when needed. This results in up to 14 per cent reduced energy consumption while ensuring continuous comfort, making it well suited to sustainability-focused homes.

“We remain committed to leading the market through continuous innovation and product excellence,” Alberto Torner, Head of International Markets (AMEA) at Ariston Group concluded. “With 45 years of strong presence in the GCC, our comprehensive portfolio is perfectly aligned with the region’s sustainability goals. We invite all attendees of Big 5 Global 2025 to visit us in Hall 3 and experience our next-generation water-heating technologies firsthand.”

Penta Global, a UAE-based EPC construction company, has released a new report titled Mind Matters in Construction: The State of Mental Health and Wellbeing in the UAE, highlighting the need for a more coordinated and standardised approach to worker wellbeing across the industry.

The construction sector contributes more than 9% of the UAE’s GDP and employs over 1.8mn workers, most of whom are expatriates. Despite its scale, Penta Global’s report finds that mental health remains an underaddressed area of worker welfare, even as awareness and initiatives continue to grow.

The report notes that untreated mental illness leads to at least 37.5mn lost productive days annually across the GCC, amounting to US$3.5bn in economic losses. It also references research showing that construction workers who work beyond eight-hour shifts are 2.7 times more likely to report symptoms of depression.

Sujay Nair, Executive Director at Penta Global, said: “This report takes an in-depth look at the mental health realities of the construction workforce. There is a clear growing recognition of employee mental wellness as a strategic priority in the UAE and globally. It highlights the progress made but also the need for change, shared accountability, and sustained attention to the wellbeing of the people building the UAE’s future. So, we are calling on the industry to come together and make the change together to foster a culture of care in construction.”

The study highlights uneven access to wellbeing programmes, with major contractors investing significantly in safety and mental health support, while smaller subcontractors often lack formal frameworks or dedicated budgets.

Government-led reforms, including the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, the 2024 Mental Health Law, and the Dubai Health Authority’s Mental Wealth Framework—are accelerating improvements. Abu Dhabi has reported a 30% rise in mental health treatment uptake since 2022.

Penta Global aims to shift the industry focus from awareness to action, urging the sector to increase wellbeing data and transparency, collaborate on unified standards, and prioritise prevention over reactive responses. By enhancing data, strengthening industry-wide collaboration, and addressing root causes of stress and fatigue, the UAE construction sector can set a global benchmark for sustainable and human-centric development.

Ivanhoe Mines has formalised a new partnership framework with Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) following the sovereign fund’s recent US$500mn strategic investment in the company.

The MoU was concluded during the visit of His Highness The Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). During his trip, the Amir held discussions with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi on strengthening ties between the two nations, creating the backdrop for the Ivanhoe–QIA agreement.

Under the terms of the MoU, Ivanhoe Mines and QIA have established a broad framework intended to support the discovery, responsible development and long-term supply of critical minerals required for global decarbonisation and next-generation technologies.

Commenting on the agreement, Robert Friedland said, “The signing of the MoU, together with the strategic investment by the Qatar Investment Authority, is a strong vote of confidence in Ivanhoe Mines and our mission to supply the strategic metals that power global electrification and the rise of AI and large-scale datacentres. We are excited to build this long-term, world-class alliance as we unlock new frontiers in our hunt for the next generation of great discoveries, which we will sustainably mine together.”

QIA CEO Mohammed Saif Al-Sowaidi added, “This MoU is a testament of QIA’s commitment to building strategic partnerships with leading suppliers of critical minerals, supporting global efforts to develop new energy infrastructure and power advanced technologies. We are delighted to be working with Ivanhoe Mines and look forward to further growing our partnership, aimed at generating long-term, sustainable prosperity.”

The cooperation framework specifically recognises QIA’s support for Ivanhoe’s ongoing exploration and development pipeline, including the company’s substantial activities at the Western Forelands project in the DRC, where work continues to advance the Makoko District and other promising targets.

Both parties also intend to explore additional joint opportunities across regions of shared interest, covering mining ventures at various stages of development. Potential areas of collaboration include investment or financing agreements, access to QIA’s network of financial institutions for favourable funding of critical minerals projects, and joint consideration of future strategic mergers and acquisitions.

The MoU further sets out avenues for cooperation on enabling infrastructure—such as logistics, energy and water systems—as well as possible downstream initiatives, including smelting and refining capacity for critical minerals in Africa and other global jurisdictions.

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), TAQA, DUBAL Holding, and the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) have signed a series of landmark agreements aimed at decarbonising aluminium production and expanding renewable and clean energy development in Abu Dhabi.

The agreements mark a significant step in Abu Dhabi’s strategy to strengthen industrial sustainability while advancing low-carbon energy infrastructure. They support EGA’s ambition to become a global leader in net-zero aluminium by 2050, bolster EWEC’s solar power initiatives, and enhance the efficiency of power generation across the Emirate.

The signing ceremony was attended by top executives, including Farid Al Awlaqi, CEO of TAQA Generation; Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA; Ahmad Hamad Bin Fahad, CEO of DUBAL Holding; and Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, CEO of EWEC, alongside His Excellency Dr Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy.

Under the agreements, TAQA and DUBAL Holding will acquire EGA’s power and water generation assets in Al Taweelah for USD $1.9bn (ca. AED 7 billion). The plant, Abu Dhabi’s third-largest, has a capacity of 3.1GW and can desalinate 6.25 million imperial gallons of water per day, using high-efficiency combined-cycle gas turbines and reverse osmosis technology. Operations will be managed through a joint venture company equally owned by TAQA and DUBAL Holding.

Further agreements signed

EWEC will purchase power from the plant under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement until 2049, providing a flexible electricity supply to support the integration of renewable and clean energy. TAQA Transmission will also acquire EGA’s electricity transmission assets, with capacity from the grid to EGA sites set to rise from 640 to 3,360MVA by 2027.

EGA has signed Abu Dhabi’s largest-ever electricity supply agreements, securing 23TWh annually for 24 years, with an increasing share from renewable and clean sources. The move will accelerate production of CelestiAL solar aluminium and MinimAL low-carbon aluminium, potentially making up almost half of EGA’s total primary aluminium output by 2028. Production of these low-carbon grades will rise from Q4 2025, with opportunities to procure additional clean energy certificates.

His Excellency Dr Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan described the initiative as a demonstration of Abu Dhabi’s “future-focused approach” and collaborative ecosystem. Abdulnasser Bin Kalban said the project “makes EGA a leader in our industry’s drive towards a more sustainable future,” while Jasim Husain Thabet of TAQA highlighted the agreements’ role in “significantly reducing emissions and advancing a cleaner energy future.”

EWEC projects the initiative will cut 3.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually by 2035, over three per cent of Abu Dhabi’s current emissions, marking a new benchmark for sustainable industrial growth in the UAE.

The EU’s Vision Zero initiative, aiming for zero fatalities and serious injuries on European roads by 2050, has brought road safety into sharp focus.

While infrastructure improvements and driver training remain important, the spotlight has shifted to standardising vehicle safety technology. This is the aim of the EU General Safety Regulation (GSR), a comprehensive framework mandating advanced safety features in new vehicles.

For Europe’s largest asset-based logistics company, Girteka, the results are already evident. The GSR was introduced to tackle the human error factor, which accounts for up to 90% of road accidents, and to make vehicles safer for both occupants and Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) such as pedestrians and cyclists. Its phased implementation began in July 2022 for new vehicle types with basic advanced systems, progressing to all new registrations in July 2024, requiring a full suite of eight mandatory Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) on trucks and buses, including blind spot detection, advanced emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistance, intelligent speed assistance, and driver fatigue monitoring.

Eurostat reports that in 2024 there were over 4 million goods vehicles registered in the EU, with vehicles over 30 tonnes completing 83.1% of total freight transport in tonne-kilometres. HGVs under two years old accounted for 20.2% of road freight, highlighting the sector’s rapid fleet renewal. Manufacturers including Volvo, Scania, Mercedes-Benz, DAF, and MAN have embraced the regulations, incorporating ADAS technologies that were previously optional.

Real-world impact

Scania noted that its trucks already had “most of the required safety assistance technology,” while DAF and Volvo confirmed compliance and projected further advancements in active safety technology. Anna Wrige Berling, Traffic and Product Safety Director at Volvo Trucks, said, “Looking further ahead, trucks will become more intelligent and more active when it comes to safety, with more features that intervene rather than just inform,” emphasising that drivers remain “the most important safety system in the truck.”

Girteka’s experience demonstrates the real-world impact of these regulations. Since July 2024, the company has added over 2,400 GSR-compliant trucks to its fleet, with plans for up to 8,000 more by 2026. Internal data shows a 10% reduction in accidents within a year, particularly in low-speed manoeuvres, small collisions, and blind spot incidents, the very scenarios the new ADAS technologies were designed to address.

Dainius Augutis, Transport Function & Support Department Manager at Girteka, said, “The EU's GSR is a powerful market signal that pushes safety technology from a premium add-on to a universal standard. The collaboration between fleet owners like Girteka, who provide the data and demand, and manufacturers, who provide the engineering, is what makes Vision Zero achievable.”

Beyond metrics, the human impact is profound. Drivers benefit from safer conditions and lower stress, communities face reduced risks, and clients experience fewer disruptions. By combining regulation, advanced technology, and comprehensive driver training, Girteka shows that safety excellence is inseparable from operational excellence. The company’s results underline that well-designed regulations and proactive fleet investment can accelerate safety innovation, offering a blueprint for the future of safer, smarter logistics across Europe.