On 26 March 2025, TSU member Mónica Silva Gonzalez represented the Mitigation Action Facility (MAF) at the Hub-IEA Joint Workshop, held in a hybrid format from the International Energy Agency’s headquarters in Paris. The session brought together government officials to share policy approaches and successful business models that facilitate access to financing for energy efficiency in sectors such as textiles, food and beverages, and other energy-intensive industries.
Mónica contributed to the discussion by sharing insights from MAF’s projects, demonstrating how energy efficiency measures can support decarbonisation in the industrial sector and address key investment barriers.
Unlocking Investments Beyond Financial Solutions
A central theme of discussions was the recognition that financial solutions alone are not sufficient to drive energy efficiency investments. During the session, Mónica presented MAF’s approach to unlocking financing for energy efficiency projects, highlighting initiatives such as Mexico SME Energy Efficiency and Brazil Energy Efficiency (PotencializEE). These projects illustrate how MAF is fostering an enabling environment for investment through a combination of financial mechanisms and technical support.
Public-Private Partnerships, Regulatory Stability and Commitment to Climate Action
With representatives from various countries in attendance, the session provided an opportunity to emphasise the role of public-private partnerships and the importance of stable regulatory frameworks in promoting long-term investments in energy efficiency.
The discussion reaffirmed MAF’s commitment to bridging the financing gap in climate action, showcasing how its funding mechanisms are driving industrial decarbonisation in developing countries.
Mónica stated after the session: “A key takeaway for me was the growing recognition of the need for stable regulatory and targeted incentives to encourage energy efficiency investments”.
Several speakers emphasised that financial de-risking alone is not enough; technical assistance, skills development, access to reliable data, and awareness-raising are equally essential – elements that are embedded in MAF’s project design.
Good Practice Examples from the MAF Portfolio
The Brazil Energy Efficiency project serves as prime example of how to translate energy audit recommendations into concrete investments. It successfully integrates financial and technical assistance, combining awareness campaigns, training of experts, subsidies for audits, and policy framework support to create a sustainable model for energy efficiency adoption.
Expanding the Dialogue on Energy Efficiency through Partnerhips
MAF’s participation in the session highlighted the need for more platforms that facilitate in-depth discussions between key stakeholders from the public and private sector. MAF’s presentation on transformative climate action in energy efficiency sparked interest in replicating similar initiatives in other regions.
Moving forward, MAF will continue to build on new partnerships and scale up its decarbonisation projects. By collaborating with global and local partners, it aims to expand its impact in key sectors, contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change through sustainable energy efficiency solutions.