Energy efficiency is a central element of the European Union’s approach to achieving its climate and energy objectives, underscoring the need for analytical tools that can support the assessment of future energy efficiency policies and trends. This paper applies the ODEX methodology within a combined ex-post and ex-ante framework to examine projected developments in energy efficiency across sectors. By extending ODEX, traditionally used for retrospective monitoring, to forward-looking national scenarios, the study provides a consistent basis for comparing historical progress with anticipated future improvements. The approach is illustrated using two EU Member States, demonstrating its broader applicability for assessing national strategies and identifying where additional measures may be necessary to meet future final energy consumption targets. The findings reflect patterns reported in recent literature, showing substantial differences in expected efficiency gains across sectors and highlighting areas where progress may need to accelerate to remain in line with EU ambitions. The results also indicate how a top-down, consumption-weighted index such as ODEX can complement existing evaluation practices by offering a transparent way to interpret efficiency trends and by supporting preliminary assessments of energy efficiency policy impacts. While the approach does not replace detailed modelling or bottom-up evaluation methods, it provides a reproducible and data-efficient tool that can assist with cross-country benchmarking, policy evaluation, and ongoing monitoring under the Energy Efficiency Directive. By linking observed trends (ex-post) with forward-looking (ex-ante) scenarios, the framework may contribute to strengthening national and EU-level discussions on future energy efficiency pathways.

Directive 2018/844/EU on energy efficiency claims almost 80% of final energy consumption in EU is used within the buildings. Subsequent Directive (EU) 2023/1791 introduced in 2023 expected 68% of the World population living in urban areas. Both Directives enhanced the role of energy management (EM) applied on the city buildings. The study introduces the development of energy management in Czech municipalities between the years 2009 and 2023. The main goal of this article is to present selected results of the unique national survey focused on the energy management in Czech municipalities conducted in 2023 and compare it with results of national surveys implemented in 2009 and 2018. The main method is the evaluation of deep survey conducted among the municipal representatives or energy managers in the past with the new survey conducted in 2023. The results show that EM became notably more important issue for the most Czech municipalities. The number of cities implementing EM significantly grew and the number of city energy managers increased too. On the other hand, the used potential of energy savings triggered by establishing EM is insufficient. This article should be applied to stress power of municipal EM in performing energy efficiency and RES projects and encouraging government to support municipal energy managers in their complex role.