Where you live has a great effect on your overall health. The policies and regulations implemented by your country are directly impacting the quality of the air you breathe, the water you drink, the food you eat, and are either supporting or hindering an active lifestyle; all things that are needed to live healthy and happily.
A system developed by Yale University called the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) in collaboration with the World Economic Forum allows researchers to determine which countries across the globe are the highest ranking in terms of sustainability and environmental policy.
Using 32 performance indicators, the EPI ranks 180 countries on an environmental health and ecosystem vitality scale. This scoring system allows countries to view their steps forward towards environmental goals they have pledged. The EPI also suggests guidance on where progress is lacking, to help deliver practical steps on how to achieve environmental objectives.
The performance indicators are diverse and comprehensive. The list is as follows:
“Overall environmental performance index, environmental health, air quality, PM2.5 exposure, household solid fuels, ozone exposure, sanitation and drinking water, unsafe sanitation, unsafe drinking water, heavy metals, lead exposure, waste management, controlled solid waste, ecosystem vitality, biodiversity and habitat, terrestrial biome protection (national), terrestrial biome protection (global), marine protected areas, Protected Areas Representativeness Index, species habitat index, species protection index, biodiversity habitat index, ecosystem services, tree cover loss, wetland loss, grassland loss, fisheries, fish stock status, marine trophic index, fish caught by trawling, and more…”
Each year when data is viable and available, the EPI submits a public report of their findings, depicting the top “greenest” countries in the world based on their model using the 32 indicators. Today, we’re breaking down the top 5 greenest countries in the world, based on data released for 2020.
The country of Denmark reigned number one after generating an average score of 82.5 out of 100 (100 being the highest environmental score possible) across all indicators.
Denmark has shown rigorous and dedicated efforts to limit their impacts that accelerate climate change. Their overall climate change score ranked an impressive 95/100 score. Denmark also shines in categories including: sanitation, water usage and conservation, biodiversity, and air quality.
The country claims their competitive approach to sustainability derives from their high respect of nature, as the Danes come from long lines of fishermen and agriculturalists.
Denmark has been applauded for their dedication to renewable energy. Samso island off the coast of Denmark has been operating on 100% renewable energy since 2007. Occupants of the island replaced oil-burning heating systems and now operate on solar, wind, and biomass energy power.
Currently, Denmark is focusing on waste-prevention, and how to create a circular economy, where little to no materials set to landfill or incinerated.
Luxembourg was ranked second greenest country in the world based on the 2020 findings by the EPI. The country has invested in the overall sustainability of their nation by selling sustainability bonds. These bonds tie environmental projects directly to their economy, bringing in investors, and have been successful in raising the profile for green projects and green finance.
Something unique Luxembourg has done is by making public transportation completely free in their country. Luxembourg has one of the highest vehicle to population ratios in the European Union. Thus, they decided to make public transportation free to encourage less driving and more shared modes of transport.
Other areas Luxembourg shines on the EPI scale are in general waste management, pollution reduction, air quality, and low heavy metal exposure.
Switzerland is famous for its outdoor culture, pristine lakes, and stunning natural landscapes. It’s now becoming famous for its political and social dedication to the natural world and its protection.
Of all the EPI indicators, Switzerland held nearly perfect scores in health and air quality, water quality, waste management, and species protection. In 2017, Switzerland was named in the top five countries achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals ahead of schedule
Switzerland is unique in their ability to problem solve and multi-task solutions. They are leaders in waste management, and have the highest recycling rate of any country in the world.
To preserve water quality, Switzerland relies on the ARA Bern wastewater treatment plant. It is known as the most advanced in Europe. While filtering and cleaning 90 million liters of water each day, it also generates biogas from sewage while it cleans. That biogas is then captured and used to operate their public transportation systems.
Switzerland also continues to expand their renewable energy sector.
The United Kingdom (UK) is composed of countries England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This region in collaboration with each others member states have done well to increase their overall sustainability and green living standards.
In the last 12 years since the Climate Change Act, the UK has managed to lower their greenhouse gas emissions by 28%. A target of phasing out all coal-fired power plants in the UK by 2023 is also on track. The UK is the first major economic region to adopt a net-zero emission target by 2050 — of which, if achieved, would serve as a massive global example to the rest of the modern world.
According to the 2020 EPI finding, the UK shows the strongest potential in sanitation and drinking water, marine protected areas, species protection, water resources, and pollution mitigation.
The UK plans to focus on greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy going forward to meet their targets. The government plans to place a ban on selling new petrol, diesel or hybrid vehicles in the UK by 2035 to reduce fossil fuel reliance and consumption.
Home of the Eiffel Tower, France is also making their name in the sustainability sector. The EPI gave France an overall score of 80/100 — not too shabby.
France pledged in 2019 to become a carbon-neutral country by 2050, however, they have a long way to go in their transportation sector.
Despite their shortcomings, France has still made it into the top five of the most “green” countries in the world. France shines when it comes to waste management, sanitation and drinking water, and their climate change strategies that are considered aggressive compared to most modern countries.
France has invested an additional two million euros in climate funding in 2020, to be re-invested each year. They are also one of the lowest greenhouse gas emitters in the modernized world, at a mere 1.2% of annual outputs. To grow their renewable energy usage, France claims they are working to increase their renewable energy inputs by 32% by 2030.
Denmark, Luxembourg, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, and France serve as examples to other modernized countries to do better for their people and the planet.
The EPI adjusts its findings based on the most recent public data available. Thus, their current list of the most “green” countries in the world may become re-ordered during their next analytical period when current records become available once again.
Sustainability in Denmark | The pioneer in promoting sustainability
Luxembourg – Ranked 5th in the Global Sustainability Index | Earth.Org – Past | Present | Future.
5 Examples of Sustainability in Switzerland – SUMAS
United Kingdom – Ranked 8th in the Global Sustainability Index | Earth.Org – Past | Present | Future
France – Ranked 4th in the Global Sustainability Index | Earth.Org – Past | Present | Future
