Powering Sustainable Hospitality Across Europe
On 30 June, the EE4HORECA Final Conference marked the conclusion of the project’s events in Brussels, bringing together European stakeholders to reflect on the project’s achievements and discuss the future of energy efficiency in the hospitality sector. The main message was clear: improving energy efficiency in HORECA is both a sustainability necessity and a business opportunity, but SMEs continue to face real barriers such as limited time, lack of clear guidance, and access to finance. EE4HORECA responds to these challenges by offering practical tools and resources designed to support businesses beyond the project’s lifetime.
Across the discussions, a value-chain approach was highlighted as essential, demonstrating that energy use in hospitality is interconnected from suppliers to end users. Speakers also emphasised that meaningful change starts with people—through staff engagement, continuous training, and clear internal communication. The session explored practical approaches for benchmarking energy performance and assessing business models, helping hospitality businesses identify opportunities to improve efficiency and make informed decisions.
Participants were also introduced to the EE4HORECA Energy Efficiency Portal and the IMPAWATT platform, two digital tools designed to help businesses assess their energy performance, identify efficiency measures, and make data-driven decisions. By bringing together practical resources and easy-to-use assessment tools, EE4HORECA supports HORECA businesses in turning knowledge into concrete action.
Another session presented the results of the EE4HORECA Survey, based on responses from 116 HORECA businesses across Europe. The findings showed encouraging progress, with many businesses already investing in energy-saving measures such as LED lighting, energy management systems, and staff awareness initiatives. While these investments are already delivering measurable benefits, the survey also highlighted persistent challenges, particularly high upfront costs and limited access to financing, underlining the importance of stronger financial support and partnerships to accelerate the sector’s transition.
The conference concluded with a panel discussion showcasing complementary European initiatives working towards the same goal of improving energy efficiency in hospitality. By exchanging experiences, lessons learned, and successful approaches, the speakers reinforced the importance of collaboration in scaling up solutions and supporting businesses on their sustainability journey.
Although the Final Conference marked the closing event of the project, EE4HORECA continues until the end of August, with partners finalising the project’s last deliverables and resources. Stay tuned for the publication of the final outputs, which will ensure that the knowledge, tools, and practical guidance developed throughout the project remain available to support HORECA businesses in their energy transition well beyond the project’s lifetime.
Missed the event or want to revisit the discussions? The conference presentations and a gallery of photos from the day are now available here.