In October 2023, the EERA JP E3S Conference "Fostering changes in energy consumption: a pathway to demand reduction", took place in Padua, Italy. The focus of the conference was on socio-economic research in the energy field, focusing on participation studies as well as modelling results for the built environment, energy system studies and economic analysis. The conference took place in the old guard room of the Accademia Galileiana di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti, one of the oldest university buildings, featuring 14th century fresco’s on the walls. The upcoming EERA EEIP whitepaper “The Role and Impact of Energy Efficiency in Decarbonising European Industry” was presented here, with the aim to obtain more attention also for socio-economic research into industrial decision-making processes related to industrial energy efficiency.