Efficiency for Access participated in COP30 in Belém, Brazil, where global delegates gathered to turn climate commitments into actionable strategies. The event emphasized the need for integrated approaches to clean energy, cooling, and climate adaptation, with particular attention on vulnerable and off-grid communities.
The Brazilian Presidency placed universal energy access at the forefront, while participants stressed that energy efficiency must be considered an essential component of access. At two high-level roundtables co-hosted by SEforALL, the Climate High-Level Champions, the IEA, and IRENA, Emilie Carmichael and Jakub Vrba of Energy Saving Trust underlined affordability as a major barrier for rural households. They noted that subsidy models such as those from the Rural Energy Access Lab (REAL) are key to reaching remote areas.
Cooling gained prominence as a central element of climate adaptation. On 11 November, UNEP launched the Global Cooling Watch 2025, presenting a framework for tracking access to cooling. Energy Saving Trust worked with the Cool Coalition and SEforALL to ensure rural and off-grid communities were represented. In support of climate and health resilience, the IKEA Foundation, along with several major philanthropies, announced a $300 million Climate & Health Funders Coalition targeting extreme heat and related health impacts.
Discussions at COP30 also reinforced the growing importance of the agriculture-energy nexus. Events hosted by SNV’s Power for Food Partnership and the Action for Food Hub emphasized aligning renewable energy with resilient food systems. Marilia Bezarra of the IKEA Foundation highlighted the funder's role in uniting sectoral efforts. The Agri-Energy Coalition, introduced earlier at the Africa Food Systems Forum, is expected to support this cross-sector collaboration.
Innovation from remote regions was also spotlighted, with examples like Kara Solar’s electric boats in the Amazon and Adili Solar Hubs’ cold chain system in Kenya. However, speakers noted that policy and finance need to evolve to support these initiatives effectively.
Adaptation funding emerged as a major focus. While $58.5 million was pledged to the Adaptation Fund, UNDP estimates a $310 billion annual gap. COP30 addressed this through an agreement on indicators under the Global Goal on Adaptation and a call by the Brazilian presidency for countries to triple adaptation finance by 2035.
Energy Saving Trust, as co-secretariat of Efficiency for Access, stated it will continue supporting integrated, locally driven climate solutions that prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations.