# International Energy Efficiency: Germany, Italy, Japan Top World - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/07/international-energy-efficiency-germany-italy-japan-top-world/ - Published: 2016-07-21T02:26:38-04:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ## International Energy Efficiency: US Moves Up to #8 Spot Behind Spain and China **_Rising From #13 Ranking in 2014; 3rd International Scorecard Evaluates 23 Largest Energy-Consuming Countries on 35 Categories._** WASHINGTON, DC – July 20, 2016 – Germany continues to lead the world in international energy efficiency rankings. That’s followed by Italy and Japan (tied for second place). Then France and the United Kingdom (not reflecting energy-related government changes in 2016). This is according to the 2016 International Energy Efficiency Scorecard. That was published today by the nonprofit American Council for an Energy- Efficient Economy (ACEEE). New to the rankings this year are most notably eight nations. #### International Energy Efficiency Ranks So that’s: 1. Indonesia 2. Netherlands 3. Poland 4. Saudi Arabia 5. South Africa 6. Taiwan 7. Thailand 8. and Turkey ![International energy efficiency](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/ uploads/2015/09/15809640883_fc02f8e7f3.jpg?resize=420%2C336&quality=52&ssl=1) Now in its third edition, the ACEEE [report](https://web.archive.org/web/20190824213817/https://aceee.org/portal/national-policy/international-scorecard)( [http://aceee.org/portal/national-policy/international-scorecard](http://aceee.org/portal/national-policy/international-scorecard)) finds that the United States rose in the international rankings. That’s from #13 in 2014 to #8 in 2016. #### Countries International Energy Efficiency On a scale of 100 possible points in 35 categories, the nations were also ranked by ACEEE as follows. Germany (1), [Italy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/01/colibri-mobility-inspires-700-preorders-efficient-electric/)( 2, tied), Japan (2, tied), France (4), UK (5), China (6), Spain (7), South Korea( 8, tied), United States (8, tied), Canada (10), Netherlands (11), Poland (12), Taiwan( 13), India (14), Turkey (15), Australia (16), Russia (17), Indonesia (18), Mexico( 19), Thailand (20), South Africa (21), Brazil (22), Saudi Arabia (23). ![International energy efficiency](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/ uploads/2016/04/wp-1460954305125.jpeg?resize=420%2C315&quality=52&ssl=1) #### International Energy Efficiency Together these countries represent 75% of all the energy consumed on the planet and over 80% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP). The US rank was boosted by high scores in a number of new [metrics added to the report](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/08/nintendo-reports-environmental-strategy-metrics/) for 2016, as well as improvements in energy intensity, or energy use per dollar of GDP. The US also benefited from changes to the scoring methodology, which now allocates more weight to policy actions. The ACEEE report outlines a number of international best practices that the US could implement to improve its score. ACEEE evaluated each country using 35 policy and performance metrics spread over four categories: buildings, industry, transportation, and overall national energy efficiency efforts. [Germany](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/11/germany-energy-concerns-amid-nuclear-shutdown/) scored the most points in the national efforts, buildings, and industry categories, while India tied with Italy and Japan for first place in transportation. ![](http://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/wpid- wp-1434835843184.jpeg?w=528) ACEEE Executive Director Steven Nadel mentioned that energy efficiency is often the lowest-cost means of meeting new demand for energy. Governments also encourage investment in energy efficiency. Moreover they implement supporting policies save citizens money. Also further reduce dependence on energy imports and reduce pollution. Yet energy efficiency remains massively underutilized globally. That’s also despite its proven multiple benefits. In addition, its potential to become the single largest resource to meet growing energy demand worldwide. > German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy Senior Advisor for General Issues > of Energy Efficiency Georg Maue said: “Energy Efficiency plays a key role in Germany’s > energy policy, the Energiewende, which aims to achieve a highly efficient and > almost carbon neutral economy by 2050 at the latest. Our latest program, the National > Action Plan on Energy Efficiency (NAPE), focuses on innovative industrial processes, > energy-efficient buildings and products, and long-term investments. We are happy > and grateful that ACEEE honors German efforts in its report. However, we will > continue to step up our efforts, as there is a long way to go for us to reach > our target of reducing the energy demand by 50% by 2050.” > Italian Ministry of Economic Development Head of Energy Efficiency Division Mauro > Mallone said: “We are proud to have maintained the second position in this third > edition of the 2016 ACEEE International Energy Efficiency Scorecard. The “silver > medal” won by Italy is a recognition of the efforts made by the country to promote > energy efficiency and accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy. This > award is particularly appreciated as it comes from an independent assessment based > on a complex set of policy and performance metrics.” > The ACEEE report notes that the United States, which improved its standing by > tying with South Korea for 8th place, still has substantial room for improvement:“ > Despite its leadership on a number of policies, the United States falls behind > most of the EU countries on our list in addition to China and Japan. The United > States still has no binding energy savings goals, unlike Germany, France, Japan, > and other countries which have a national energy conservation plan in place. The > United States could take advantage of existing efficiency opportunities by mandating > building energy use disclosure polices and categorical labels for appliances. > Finally, other possible areas of improvement for the US would be in passenger > vehicle fuel economy. Also, public transportation, the efficiency of freight transport, > water efficiency policy, and also requirements for large companies. Especially > to conduct energy audits and hire energy managers. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)