At SECW – Sarajevo Energy and Climate Week (SECW), within the EU-funded EU4Energy.ba project, a panel discussion was held on “𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭”. The panel focused on practical steps, European requirements and national challenges in the implementation of this principle, with special emphasis on reporting, measurability and sectoral application. It was moderated by Branislava Lepotic Kovacevic (EU4Energy.ba), with opening remarks from Sanja Kapetina (Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH). The panel brought together experts from key institutions and organizations contributing to BiH’s energy transition: – Aida Jelinić – Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry – Boris Lubarda – Ministry of Energy and Mining of the Republic of Srpska – Jasmina Katica – Federal Ministry of Physical Planning – Elvis Hadzikadic – EU4Energy – Dejan Stojanović – Heating Plants of Serbia – Meho Kulovac – Representative of the private sector – Aleksandar Kovačević – Oxford Institute for Energy Studies The focus of the panel and the main topics of discussion were: – 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 “𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭” 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 – exploring how to integrate it across all segments of BiH’s energy cycle through measures and policies that encourage the reduction of energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. – 𝐌𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 – addressing obligations, tools for measuring and reporting energy efficiency, and aligning these mechanisms with EU standards and and national plans (NECP 2030). – 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – consideration of how the principle of “energy efficiency first” can be applied in buildings, industry and district heating, with the aim of decarbonising and improving energy security. – 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 – analysis of the effects of the application of energy efficiency measures through energy savings, financial benefits and contribution to sustainable development. #EU4Energy #EnergetskaEfikasnost #EnergyEfficiencyFirst #PlusMinus #NECP #EU #Decarbonization#BiH #GreenTransition