The most energy-efficient countries

by Barry Artiste | July 16, 2008 at 05:45 am | 877 views | 16 comments | 12 recommendations

Opinion
Barry Artiste. Now Public Contributor

Japan, always the trendsetter when it comes to efficiency from cars to environment has been touted as the most energy efficient country on earth.

Certainly something we can all aspire to, especially if they can bottle it and sell it to a energy hungry world looking at reducing energy costs at the same time.

http://www.financialpost.com/money/story.html?id=645700

The most energy-efficient countries

Joshua Zumbrun, Forbes Published: Friday, July 11, 2008

Japan has very little domestic energy production and is forced to import most of its fuel supply--creating a powerful economic incentive to use those expensive imports efficiently.

Next year in Copenhagen, world leaders will assemble and attempt to write the successor agreement to the 10-year-old Kyoto protocol. In order for countries to make dramatic reductions for a greener future, energy efficiency will likely be a big part of the equation.

What they'll find is a huge gap between countries with a head start, and those still in the blocks. Not surprising, the countries with the most energy-efficient economies are those who import their energy supplies.

Japan leads the way. It is, after all, birthplace of the Kyoto Protocols for climate change. More important, Japan has very little domestic energy production and is forced to import most of its fuel supply--creating a powerful economic incentive to use those expensive imports efficiently.

In Pictures: The 10 Most Energy-Efficient Countries

In Pictures: Top 10 Cities For Cutting Your Gas Bill

In Pictures: 10 Efficiency Bangs For Your Buck

In Pictures: America's Best Places For Alternative Energy

In Pictures: The Greenest -- And Least Green -- Electronics

recommend Add a comment

jessica.lam

at 08:24 on July 16th, 2008

very cool. I looked and saw Hong Kong as #4..... yeah they were right - it's only because it's so small that you could be so energy efficient. There is hardly any room. As for calling it a "country" I think maybe that should be revised....

jessica.lam

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 08:48 on July 16th, 2008

I really should visit these countries.

endless13

at 09:46 on July 16th, 2008

This is a building in Kyoto, one of the leading city's when it comes to energy efficiency.

endless13 has contributed a photo to this story.

limando

at 10:24 on July 16th, 2008

Talking about Switzerland:

The Openair Festival in Frauenfeld, Switzerland attracted people from all over the country and beyond with a fantastic line-up of top acts like Cypress Hill, Wu-Tang Clan and Common. But the rain couldn't be stopped... 3 days of water, mud and great music!

limando has contributed a photo to this story

jaydeepmensa

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 10:54 on July 16th, 2008

Barry Artiste, I like this story. It's good stuff.

alperez

at 12:20 on July 16th, 2008

Was just walking along Radhuspladsen, the main square in Copenhagen, when I came across these bunch of flowers which I thought would make a nice counterpoint to the classical architecture around.

alperez has contributed a photo to this story.

amyjudd

at 12:23 on July 16th, 2008

What a lovely picture.

Edwin Aldershof

at 12:33 on July 16th, 2008

Edwin Aldershof has contributed a photo to this story.

Barry Artiste

at 14:17 on July 16th, 2008

Thanks everyone for your comments and contributions, certainly some lovely countries on a must visit list.

gryphtor

at 14:51 on July 16th, 2008

Central Kyoto as seen from the top of Kyoto Tower.

gryphtor has contributed a photo to this story.

My Little Planet

at 17:57 on July 16th, 2008

由嵐山車站出來漸漸地被四周翠綠的一片包圍,漫步在竹林步道中,可以盡情享受芬多精的洗滌.
Walking in Sagano bamboo forest ,the most beautiful bamboo forests in Japan ; let the forest bathing rinse your mind and soul .

My Little Planet has contributed a photo to this story.

Barry Artiste

at 20:17 on July 16th, 2008

You people certainly love to make us jealous with your exotic photos now don't you? HAHAHAHA, Keep those photos coming! Thanks to all who comment and contribute. Great stuff

ki square

at 01:03 on July 17th, 2008

Steep landscape in Hong Kong, you can see the top of skyskapper from the eyelevel. There's pretty much such streets all along Central to Sheung Wan.
Interesting view?!

ki square has contributed a photo to this story.

Barry Artiste

at 04:16 on July 17th, 2008

Thanks KI for you're contribution to this story

andams

at 02:00 on July 20th, 2008

Although Copenhagen is an expensive city, our tour guide told us that this kind of boats are used as residential homes and is really common these days. You can also rent boats for parties or other events. The prices are different from boat to boat. I really can imagine myself living in such boat, in summer, but not in winter!

andams has contributed a photo to this story.