Energy efficiency is one of the most powerful weapons for combating global climate change, boosting the economy, and ensuring that the air is safe to breathe.
Energy efficiency is America’s largest energy resource, contributing more to the nation’s energy needs over the last 40 years than oil, coal, natural gas, or nuclear power. It accounts for more than 2.2 million U.S. jobs—at least 10 times more than oil and gas drilling or coal mining. NRDC helped pioneer the first appliance standards and the first efficiency programs for utilities. Today we work to increase efficiency everywhere, from community revitalization to state and national climate policy to China’s and India’s economic growth strategies.
What We're Doing
With our help, utilities are discovering that they can benefit from energy-efficiency programs just as much as the consumer.
With our long track record of securing energy-efficiency standards, we continue to push for more efficient appliances and buildings—helping save people money, create jobs, and reduce pollution in the process.
We help bring the benefits of energy efficiency to low-income families in a dozen states across the nation.
We're partnering with cities to save consumers up to $1 billion in energy bills and to reduce carbon pollution by up to seven million tons annually.
We help ensure that energy efficiency is an integral part of reducing carbon pollution from power plants.
We are pushing for smart policy changes so that we can create a cleaner, more efficient national electrical grid.
Families can save about 11,000 gallons of water a year by making a few simple changes. We tell them how.
Working in places like China, India, and Latin America, we're helping maximize energy efficiency around the globe.
We are helping Chinese cities slash energy waste in commercial and residential buildings—which then reduces carbon pollution and makes the air safer to breathe.
Related Priorities
What You Can Do
How to Shop for Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
Old incandescent bulbs can cost you more than $100 per year in wasted energy—which costs the planet as well. Do the earth a favor and invest in new, ultra-efficient bulbs.
