Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 will require widespread deployment of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in all economies by 2025. Setting MEPS that eliminate the sale of inefficient compact fluorescent lamps (CLFs) and incandescent lamps is essential to achieving this goal.Technology-neutral standards treat all appliances fairly and prevent carveouts for legacy technologies (e.g., CFLs) that limit the energy savings potential of a policy and expose populations and ecosystems to dangerous pollutants like mercury. The graph shows economies that meet or exceed the 90 lm/W threshold for all general service lamps.

All economies should adopt technology-neutral MEPS at 90 lm/W or greater to phase out CFLs and incandescent lamps. Economies already meeting this requirement should strive for more stringent MEPS of at least 120 lm/W.

Electric motor-driven systems are responsible for more than 50% of global electricity use. Low-efficiency motors represent an estimated two-thirds of the global motors stock. Policies that improve the efficiency of electric motors will play a key role in slowing electricity demand growth and lowering lifetime costs. To achieve net zero emissions by 2050, the IEA estimates that all new industrial electric motors must be best-in-class technologies by 2035.

As a result, all economies below the target should require a minimum efficiency class of IE3, while economies with efficiency requirements at or above an IE3 efficiency class should strive for efficiency requirements at IE4 or IE5.

Note: Economies with a score of 3.5 indicate that MEPS for 3-phase AC induction motors are set at the higher IE4 level for certain motor sizes. Only economies that meet, exceed, or are within 25% of the target are displayed in the graph.

Expanding energy efficiency policies to cover the larger motor system would result in significant energy savings and emissions reductions. Energy system improvements may include increasing the efficiency of individual components of the motor system, improving the overall system design, regular maintenance, and matching energy use to demand through controls like variable speed drives. Using a systems approach in industrial settings could reduce energy demand by 10% in fan systems, 24% in pump systems, and 30% in compressed air systems. In recent years, some countries have adopted policies for motor controls and motor driven equipment.

All countries are encouraged to follow the lead of China, the EU, and the US to adopt test methods and efficiency requirements for motor-driven equipment (pumps, fans, and compressors). 

By 2050, the installed capacity of cooling equipment globally is expected to triple, more than doubling electricity consumption. This surge in demand will make it more difficult to transition to renewable energy, strain electricity grids, and release more than 5.1 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2050. To achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the IEA estimates the average efficiency of air conditioner units must increase by 50% in all economies by 2030. Evidence from the Global Cooling Prize suggests air conditioner technology has the potential to reach efficiency levels of ISO CSPF 8.5 to 9.0 Wh/Wh, which may indicate new opportunities for more ambitious standards.

At a minimum, all countries should adopt a technology-neutral seasonal performance metric of 5.1 Wh/Wh or greater. Additionally, any economy using an energy efficiency ratio (EER) should switch to a seasonal performance metric for fixed- and variable-speed air conditioners.

Note: Only economies that meet, exceed, or are within 25% of the target are displayed in the graph.

Refrigerators make up a sizable portion of household energy consumption behind space heating and cooling, water heating, and lighting. To achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the IEA estimates that nearly all household appliances sold worldwide by mid-2030 must be as efficient as the most efficient models available today.

At a minimum, all economies should set MEPS at 279 kWh/year or lower. Economies that have already achieved this target should increase their stringency to match U4E’s intermediate target of 223 kWh/year or less.

Note: The graph shows energy consumption in contrast to other charts in this tool that show energy efficiency. Economies with MEPS that meet or exceed the target will be shown below the target line. Only economies that meet/exceed or are within 25% of the target are displayed in this graph.

Decarbonizing water heating will be essential to meeting net-zero goals. The IEA estimates that the share of electricity in water heating must exceed 40% by 2050 and fossil fuel products must become more efficient to achieve net-zero emissions. We define an economy’s MEPS as ambitious if at least 5% of new water heaters are required to be ≥ 86% efficient for fossil fuel water heaters and > 100% efficient for electric storage water heaters.

Economies should adopt these MEPS and look for additional opportunities to promote the electrification of water heating in line with IEA targets.

Note: Only economies that meet, exceed or are within 40% of the target are displayed in the graph.

Space and water heating together represent almost half of building energy demand. Transitioning from fossil fuels to electricity can lower fossil fuel use and improve energy security. To achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, 40% of all building space heating must be electric. We define an economy’s MEPS as ambitious if 50% of the fossil fuel space heating market is required to have an efficiency ≥ 90% and 50% of the electric space heating market is required to have an efficiency > 100%. Economies should require condensing efficiency requirements for space heating. They should also encourage electrification through the adoption of heat pumps.

Note: Only economies that meet, exceed or are within 40% of the target are displayed in the graph.