Energy efficiency in buildings tops global priorities

Energy efficiency in buildings has become the top infrastructure priority for organisations worldwide, according to a new Siemens study that highlights a rapid shift in focus towards decarbonisation and cost control in the built environment.

The Siemens Infrastructure Transition Monitor 2025 reports that energy efficiency in facilities and buildings has moved from seventh place in 2023 to first place in organisations' infrastructure agendas. The report surveys 1,400 senior executives and government representatives in 19 countries across the energy, buildings and industrial sectors.

The study finds that 57% of respondents plan to increase investment in energy efficiency in the year ahead. A similar proportion, 55%, expect to raise spending on smart building technologies, while 54% intend to invest more in electrification of buildings.

The findings suggest that building owners and operators now see their estates as a central lever for both emissions reduction and competitiveness. A higher share of respondents also report that onsite renewable energy production and electrification of heating and cooling have reached mature or advanced stages compared with 2023.

Spending plans

The survey indicates that smart building technologies are moving into the mainstream of investment decisions. Over half of organisations plan to allocate more capital to digital platforms and control systems that manage energy use, security and environmental conditions across building portfolios.

More than half of organisations say they are ready to implement autonomous building systems. These systems use analytics and automation to adjust heating, cooling, lighting and other functions with limited human intervention.

Siemens positions this shift as part of a broader rethinking of buildings as active elements within the wider infrastructure system. It highlights the role of artificial intelligence, digital platforms and autonomous control in the way buildings are planned, operated and maintained.

"Buildings are increasingly recognized as strategic assets in the infrastructure transition, with technologies such as AI, digital platforms, and autonomous systems acting as catalysts," said Susanne Seitz, CEO Buildings at Siemens Smart Infrastructure. "When it comes to autonomous systems, organizations clearly expect breakthroughs in energy efficiency, smarter anomaly detection, stronger physical security, and healthier, more comfortable spaces for occupants. This is exactly the path we're charting at Siemens; creating human-centric, autonomous buildings that serve people better."

Financing gap

Despite the stated priorities, the study identifies a significant financing gap. Respondents name lack of capital, rising energy prices and the cost of new equipment and technology as the main barriers to advancing energy efficiency measures since 2023.

These obstacles persist even though many retrofit projects offer what Siemens describes as a strong return on investment. The report underlines a disconnect between the economic potential of upgrades and the availability of funding and suitable risk-sharing models.

Siemens promotes Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) structures as one response to these challenges. It uses in-house financing through Siemens Financial Services to fund upgrades and building systems.

Under these structures, payment terms link to outcomes such as verified energy savings and measured reductions in carbon emissions. The company states that this arrangement replaces large upfront capital expenditure with ongoing operational payments, which aligns with outcomes over time.

Digital push

The survey data also points to a central role for digitalisation in building strategies. Over half of respondents, 55%, say digital technologies have a strong or transformational impact on energy efficiency.

Some 56% of respondents expect digital tools to reduce costs. A similar share, 55%, state that digitalisation can improve workforce health and safety in buildings.

This focus includes building management platforms, data analytics and automation systems. These systems collect and process large volumes of data on energy use, occupancy, equipment performance and environmental conditions.

However, only 50% of organisations say they currently have sufficient data to make informed decisions about decarbonisation. The study notes that this shortfall highlights the need for more extensive deployment of building technology and data infrastructure.

Data and transparency

Respondents see transparency as a key outcome of investment in smart building technologies. The study finds that organisations rank strong return on investment as the leading benefit of smart building solutions. They place increased transparency in second place.

Organisations use building data to understand their energy and emissions profiles in greater detail. They then apply this insight in planning refurbishments and in optimising maintenance schedules and technical operations.

These processes can involve more granular monitoring of individual systems and zones within buildings. They also involve integration of different systems into a single management layer for reporting and control.

The report's buildings chapter examines the progress and remaining challenges in decarbonising real estate. It links building performance closely with wider infrastructure trends, including the expansion of renewable energy and the electrification of heating and cooling.

Siemens notes that the Infrastructure Transition Monitor is a biennial study. The company plans further editions that track the evolution of infrastructure priorities among business and government leaders in the years ahead.