DUBLIN, Ireland - Taoiseach Loe Varadkar is to be appointed Honorary Patron of the International Energy Agency (IEA)'s new Global Commission for Urgent Action on Energy Efficiency.

An invitation to take up the role was made by the IAE Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol.

The Taoiseach on Monday addressed the International Energy Agency's Global Conference on Energy Efficiency which was held in Dublin Castle.

The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton also addressed the conference, which brought together a large international audience consisting of Ministers, CEOs, heads of international organisations and other senior leaders to advance global progress on energy efficiency.

In his address, Varadkar told attendees he would accept the Honorary Patron role and take part in the Commission.

Minister Bruton also confirmed that he too will participate on the Commission.

The purpose of the Commission is to examine how energy efficiency progress can be accelerated in the short term through new and stronger policy action. The focus will be on key policy actions that can be taken by countries across the globe. It will be a one year process leading to a concise list of clear, actionable recommendations. The IEA intends to invite a select group of political and business leaders and thinkers from around the world to also join the Commission.

"Ireland is ready and willing to play its part in the international drive for energy efficiency. In this regard, I was delighted to accept the IEA's invitation to act as the Honorary Patron of a new Global Commission on Energy Efficiency. This IEA-supported Commission provides a fantastic opportunity to identify policies that can be implemented in a short time frame that will boost activity on energy efficiency globally. International cooperation and collaboration on this matter facilitates shared learning and will help to put us on a more sustainable path to the future," the Taoiseach told the conference.

Minister Bruton added, "Last week I launched the Climate Action Plan, which will ensure Ireland meets our 2030 emissions targets and will put us on the right trajectory to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Decarbonising our energy supply is crucial to delivering on our ambitions and is critical to many of the actions laid out in the Plan. As we transition to electric vehicles for example, we need to make sure that our electricity supply comes from renewable sources. The Plan also includes a range of ambitious energy efficiency measures that will support the achievement of our targets. Given the scale of the challenge, international collaboration is crucial and Ireland's place on the Commission will be important in that regard."