The state of sustainability around the world2 min read
Which is the situation in terms of sustainability around the world?
The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) assesses 180 countries on the environmental health and vitality of their ecosystems. The index aims to identify where more work is needed and guide policy-makers.
The 2020 EPI provides a quantitative basis for comparing, analyzing, and understanding environmental performance for 180 countries. Scoring and ranking these countries on their environmental performance using the most recent year of data available and calculating how these scores have changed over the previous decade.
The framework organizes 32 indicators into 11 issue categories and two policy objectives (Ecosystem Vitality and Environmental Health), with weights shown at each level as a percentage of the total score.
This is the state of sustainability around the world.
In general European countries dominate the ranking, but the uncontested leader is Scandinavics with Denmark at the top of the ranking and Finland, Sweden, Norway within the top 10.
Great performances of France (5th place), Spain (14th), and Italy (20th) which stand the Mediterranean countries out. The United Kingdom is 4th while Germany is 10th.
The first non-European country is Japan (12th) followed by Australia (13th). The USA is ranked 24th and Russia just 58th.
Noteworthy is the position of another giant: China is not even in the top 100 (120th place).
Here you can find the full list.
The index’s authors say that measuring performance helps identify where more work is needed and how close countries are to environmental policy targets.
EPI indicators provide a way to spot problems, set targets, track trends, understand outcomes, and identify best policy practices
Environmental Performance Index’s authors
The COVID-19 pandemic has also reminded us of the profound interdependence of all nations and the importance of investing in resilience.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, also the World Economic Forum’s Great Reset initiative is calling on the world to rebuild the foundations of the economic and social systems.
It’s really the time to look towards a fairer, more sustainable, and more resilient future.
Source: Environmental Performance Index (EPI); World Economic Forum
Featured image by My pictures are CC0. When doing composings: from Pixabay
