Energy Management Systems: Global Trends and Best Practices

Energy Management Systems enable organizations to monitor, control, and optimize energy use – delivering cost savings, supporting net zero commitments, and meeting growing stakeholder expectations.

Energy efficiency is gaining prominence as companies navigate rising energy costs, pressure to reduce operating expenses, and the global drive toward net zero emissions. These factors are reshaping operational priorities, while investors, regulators, and business partners increasingly expect credible action on climate and resource efficiency. As a result, energy performance is becoming an important lever for resilience, cost control, and long-term competitiveness.

To meet these expectations, organizations are turning to Energy Management Systems (EnMS) – a structured framework for embedding energy performance into business processes. Unlike ad hoc initiatives or isolated technology upgrades, an EnMS enables companies to monitor, control, and optimize energy use systematically, aligning operational efficiency with sustainability objectives.

An EnMS follows a continuous cycle of policy, planning, implementation, monitoring, and review. Such a program starts with a formal energy policy endorsed by senior leadership, signaling commitment to improvement. Companies then identify significant energy uses, set measurable objectives, and develop action plans. Implementation involves deploying processes, training staff, and allocating resources. Progress is tracked through data collection, performance indicators, and audits, while regular management reviews ensure strategies remain effective and aligned with business goals.

ISO 50001: The Global Standard for Energy Efficiency

ISO 50001 – the globally recognized standard for energy management – provides a clear framework for this process. Certification demonstrates a disciplined approach to improving energy performance, delivering cost savings, and supporting compliance with evolving regulatory requirements.

ISS-Corporate reviewed corporate disclosure data as of November each year to assess the adoption rate of ISO 50001 certification. The analysis covers approximately 8,700–9,200 public companies worldwide annually and tracks disclosure trends from 2022 through 2025. The findings reveal notable differences across regions and sectors.

Regional Differences in Certification Rates

Adoption of ISO 50001 remains uneven globally. EMEA leads with certification rates consistently above 20%, reaching 22% in 2025. This leadership reflects strong regulatory frameworks and a long-standing emphasis on energy efficiency. Within EMEA, Spain stands out with nearly half of companies certified (48% in 2025), while Austria (42% in 2025) and Italy (39% in 2025) show notable gains, rising 7 and 6 percentage points respectively over the period. The Netherlands also posts meaningful progress, climbing from 16% to 25%.

Asia Pacific shows the fastest growth, increasing from 12% in 2022 to 21% in 2025 – a 9-point rise. China drives much of this momentum, surging from 12% to 36%, alongside strong gains in Thailand (+15 points) and Hong Kong (+14 points). Taiwan remains the regional leader with 68% adoption, while Malaysia also advances significantly.

In the Americas, adoption is modest, moving from 4.4% to 6.5% over the same period. The region is overwhelmingly represented by the United States, where adoption remains low. One exception is Chile, which reaches 55% by 2025 – reflecting the influence of energy-intensive sectors such as Utilities, Materials, and Food & Beverage.

Sectoral Adoption Patterns

Sectoral differences are even more pronounced. The Materials sector dominates, with adoption rising from 25% to 33%, reflecting energy-intensive operations and cost-saving opportunities. Information Technology shows strong upward momentum, reaching 20% by 2025, reflecting a growing focus on energy efficiency among technology firms as their energy demands have surged in recent years. Industrials and Utilities – among the most energy-intensive sectors – rank in the top four sectors as expected. Notably, Consumer Staples also show a significant jump, driven largely by food, beverage, and household and personal products companies. At the other end of the spectrum, Financials and Health Care remain below 8%. For Financials, this trend likely reflects limited perceived relevance of ISO 50001 within the sector. In Health Care, the low adoption rate is influenced by the prevalence of smaller-cap companies, although there is a notable uptick – from 5% in 2022 to 8% in 2025 – indicating gradual progress.

Best Practices for Implementing Energy Management Systems

Implementing an Energy Management System is not just about meeting certification requirements – it’s about creating a culture of efficiency and accountability. Companies that succeed in energy management typically follow a few key practices:

• Secure Executive Commitment: Ensure senior leadership endorses an energy policy and allocates resources – visible commitment drives accountability and organizational buy-in.
• Build Cross-Functional Collaboration: Engage operations, facilities, finance, procurement, and sustainability teams to integrate energy goals into everyday decisions and processes.
• Invest in Data and Monitoring: Establish robust systems for tracking energy use, setting KPIs, and conducting regular audits – data-driven insights are essential for continuous improvement.
• Embed Energy Awareness Across the Workforce: Provide training and foster a culture where employees actively contribute to efficiency efforts, from operational practices to behavioral changes.