The World’s Most Energy-Efficient Country

Not surprisingly, the United States isn’t the most energy-efficient country in the world, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. In fact, it’s 13th on a 2014 list ranking 16 of the world’s largest economies in terms of energy efficiency, despite solar financing allowing more people to switch to solar. European countries continue to lead, and some of the other countries that beat out America may surprise you.

Who’s Number One?

The country with the honor of being number one on the list of most energy-efficient countries is Germany. Like many countries in Europe, Germany is a leader in solar financing, wind power, and mass transit. According to weather.com, the rankings are based off “national energy savings targets, fuel economy standards for vehicles, efficiency standards for appliances, average vehicle mpg, and energy consumed per square foot of floor space in residential buildings.”

Germany, like many countries, has a national savings plan (based off 2008 levels) that has a target of reducing energy usage by 20 percent by 2020 and 50 percent by 2050. According to Think Progress, Germany produces almost 75 percent of its energy from renewable sources. 

How the United States Fares

The United States has no energy-efficiency plan, one of two countries on the list without one.

ACEEE national policy research analyst Rachel Young explains that “the U.S. may improve in the energy efficiency rankings if the Clean Power Plan is finalized,” because it would give states the ability to make their power plants more efficient. 

The United States scored well in the availability of energy-efficient appliances as well as the energy efficiency tax credit and loan programs category, but that not enough to improve its rankings over countries like Italy, France, the U.K. and even China and India. Luckily for U.S., the solar financing industry is finally exploding—hopefully next time, the U.S. will move up in the rankings.

Ian Carry is a renewable energy writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Elements Capital Group. Follow on Twitter