US falls 1 place in ACEEE’s global energy efficiency rankings – Utility Dive

Global Energy Efficiency Assessment and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A 2025 assessment by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) places the United States 11th among the world’s 25 largest energy consumers for energy efficiency policy and performance. This represents a decline from its 10th-place ranking in 2018 and 2022. The report evaluates national progress towards key targets within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Despite a slight increase in its overall score, the U.S. was surpassed by other nations making more significant gains.

International Rankings and Performance

The scorecard evaluates countries across four categories: national efforts, buildings, industry, and transportation. The leading nations demonstrate a strong commitment to policies that advance multiple SDGs.

Top Performing Countries

1. France
2. Germany
3. United Kingdom
4. Italy
5. China (tie)
6. Spain (tie)

• France retained its top position through substantial investments in building retrofits and low-carbon transportation, directly contributing to SDG 11 and SDG 13. Its national water-saving plan also aligns with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
• China advanced to 5th place, demonstrating leadership in public transit use, which supports SDG 11.2 (Sustainable Transport Systems), and by setting robust national targets for reducing energy consumption, a key aspect of SDG 7.3.

United States Performance Analysis

Sectoral Score Breakdown

The U.S. performance varied across the four assessed categories, indicating uneven progress in achieving energy efficiency goals linked to the SDGs.

• National Efforts: 21/25 points. This improvement reflects significant investments in energy efficiency, particularly for low-income households, aligning with SDG 7.
• Buildings: 17/25 points. Performance in this sector, critical for SDG 11, remained stagnant since the 2022 assessment.
• Industry: 13/25 points. A marginal improvement shows slow progress in enhancing industrial energy efficiency as outlined in SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
• Transportation: 6/25 points. A notable decline in this score highlights a critical area for improvement to meet the sustainable transport targets of SDG 11.

Strengths and Progress Towards SDGs

• The Inflation Reduction Act has provided significant financial incentives for retrofitting buildings, decarbonizing industry, and purchasing electric vehicles, bolstering efforts towards SDG 7, SDG 9, and SDG 13.
• The U.S. ranks third globally in the national efforts category due to substantial reductions in energy intensity and investments in efficiency research and development, directly supporting SDG 7.3.
• The nation’s model energy codes are among the most advanced globally and are projected to avoid 900 million metric tons of CO2 emissions by 2040, a major contribution to SDG 13.

Areas for Improvement and Recommendations

• Transportation: The report notes that nearly every country, including the U.S., must significantly reduce travel from personal vehicles to advance transportation efficiency, a key component for achieving SDG 11.
• Building Codes: The U.S. did not receive full points because its advanced building codes are adopted voluntarily at state and local levels. To fully leverage their potential for SDG 7 and SDG 11, the report recommends adopting mandatory building codes nationwide.
• Energy Labeling: The current Energy Star certification for buildings remains voluntary. Implementing a mandatory building energy performance labeling system is recommended to promote SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and provide consumers with transparent information.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article’s central theme is energy efficiency, which is a cornerstone of SDG 7. It discusses the energy efficiency policies and performance of the top 25 highest energy-consuming countries, directly relating to the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The article evaluates countries based on their performance in the industry and transportation sectors. It mentions efforts like “decarbonizing industry,” investments in “low-carbon transportation,” and the importance of “public transit use,” all of which are related to building resilient infrastructure and fostering sustainable industrialization.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The focus on building efficiency, including “residential and commercial building codes” and “building retrofits,” is directly linked to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The discussion on transportation efficiency and reducing reliance on personal vehicles also aligns with this goal.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article explicitly connects energy efficiency with climate action by mentioning the goal of avoiding “900 million metric tons of CO2 emissions” through advanced energy codes. Policies like the Inflation Reduction Act, which supports decarbonization and electric vehicles, are presented as measures to combat climate change.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  Although a secondary point, the article mentions France’s “national water saving plan to cut water use by 10% by 2030,” which directly addresses the sustainable management of water resources as outlined in SDG 6.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

   The entire article is an assessment of energy efficiency performance and policies among major countries. The ACEEE scorecard, which ranks nations on their efforts in buildings, industry, and transportation, is a direct measure of progress toward this target. The article notes that “countries have made incremental progress in improving energy efficiency.”

2. Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable

   This target is addressed through mentions of financial incentives for “retrofitting buildings, decarbonizing industry, and purchasing electric vehicles” under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, and France’s commitment of €800 million to “building retrofits” and “low-carbon transportation.”

3. Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all

   The article highlights China’s “global leadership in public transit use” as a reason for its improved ranking and notes that “nearly every country could work to significantly reduce travel from personal vehicles,” pointing directly to the need for sustainable transportation systems.

4. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

   The article discusses national-level policies and commitments, such as the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and France’s financial investments, which serve as examples of integrating climate change measures (like energy efficiency and decarbonization) into national planning.

5. Target 6.4: Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors

   This target is explicitly referenced by the mention of France’s “national water saving plan to cut water use by 10% by 2030, primarily through tracking leakage rates.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 7.3 (Energy Efficiency):

  The article implies the use of energy intensity as an indicator, noting China’s “national targets for reducing energy consumption and energy intensity” and the U.S.’s “significant reductions in energy intensity.” The ACEEE’s overall score (out of 100 points) also serves as a composite indicator of national energy efficiency performance.

• For Target 9.4 (Sustainable Infrastructure/Industry):

  A key indicator mentioned is the reduction of CO2 emissions. The article states that U.S. model energy codes are projected to “avoid 900 million metric tons of CO2 emissions cumulatively from 2010 to 2040.” Financial investment, such as France’s “€800 million” commitment, is another quantifiable indicator of progress.

• For Target 11.2 (Sustainable Transport):

  The article points to the rate of public transit use as an indicator, citing China’s leadership in this area. A reduction in “travel from personal vehicles” is also mentioned as a key area for improvement, implying that vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per capita could be an indicator.

• For Target 11.6 (Reduce Environmental Impact of Cities):

  The adoption and enforcement of building energy codes are presented as a crucial indicator. The article notes the U.S. has advanced “model energy codes” but loses points because they are not mandatory nationwide, suggesting that the percentage of the country covered by mandatory codes is a measurable indicator.

• For Target 6.4 (Water-Use Efficiency):

  A direct and measurable indicator is provided: the percentage reduction in water use. The article cites France’s specific goal “to cut water use by 10% by 2030.”

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table

Source: utilitydive.com