Many nations the globe over have stood up and confronted the worst of climate change. Here are the ten most environmentally friendly countries in the world, ranked.
As global governments become more aware of their climate impact, we are ranking the ten most environmentally friendly countries in the world, ranked.
Climate change has parachuted to become one of the globe’s largest threats, with the deterioration of glaciers, droughts, storms, and unbearable heatwaves just some of the symptoms of the disease ravaging the earth.
However, rather than lie down and either ignore the facts or fail to confront them, several nations across the globe have made bold, decisive, and life-changing actions that will help to avert the damage.
To score the most environmentally friendly countries in the world, Yale University in the US compiled its Environmental Performance Index (EPI). Its 2020 assessment ranked 180 countries on 32 performance indicators to assess how green a nation really was.
10. Germany (EPI rating 77.2) – a European power taking the environment seriously
Kicking off our list of the top ten most environmentally friendly countries in the world is Germany. Germany is a European powerhouse, and so it is great to see such an influential nation so high.
Germany ranked fourth for biodiversity training and even secured a perfect 100 for sanitation. The Yale study concluded that the country was pursuing ten policies accelerating the country towards a greener future.
9. Norway (EPI rating 77.7) – fitting the Scandinavian stereotype
Perhaps not too much of a surprise is Denmark, the first of four Scandinavian countries on our list of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world.
The Norwegian approach to a greener future has its origins at school level, and as a nation, it has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2030, a mere eight years away.
8. Sweden (EPI rating 78.7) – for an organic and greener future
The next Scandinavian country is Sweden. The Swedes have also taken a proactive approach to ensure the transition to a greener, healthier, and better future for our planet.
The country came in at the top spot in the European Union (EU) for recycling and using renewable energies. Furthermore, organic foods and eco-friendly clothing are regular fixtures in stores.
7. Finland (EPI rating 78.9) – cycling to a greener future
The third consecutive Scandinavian nation on our list of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world is Finland.
The Finnish capital, Helsinki, has helped push the country so far as it has Europe’s most-used rental bike system. It has also pledged to reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels by 50% by 2030.
6. Austria (EPI rating 79.6) – one of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world
Austria has reached such a high spot on our list of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world due to its strict air quality standards and sewage connection rate reaching 85% of households.
Elsewhere, Austria is tough on waste management and pollution, and many of its towns and cities are green with parks.
5. France (EPI rating 80) – taking technology into a greener future
Another important addition is France. Like Germany, it is a European powerhouse, and it is important to see a country of this stature so high.
In the Yale study, France scored 100 for water sanitation and pollution emissions, while the country has also introduced hydro turbines along rivers.
4. United Kingdom (EPI rating 81.3) – going green despite its big population
Breaking into the top five on our list of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world is the UK, another important addition. There are 8,000 wind turbines across the country.
Elsewhere, it ranked second place in the Yale study for climate change and took the crown for pollution emissions.
3. Switzerland (EPI rating 81.5) – a multi-varied approach to the environment
Switzerland scored so high on the list as it is one of the best across the globe when it comes to recycling, while the public sector now stipulates the use of eco-friendly products.
Switzerland utilises solar and geothermal energy, as well as heat pumps and wind turbines. Furthermore, the mountainous and water-filled regions of the country also power its hydroelectric equipment.
2. Luxembourg (EPI rating 82.3) – big strides for a small country
Second on our list of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world is Luxembourg. It has taken steps to improve its public transportation network to help create cleaner air.
Better still, there are lots of forests and parks in the country for walking and cycling, and it has nearly tripled its share of renewable energy in electricity.
1. Denmark (EPI rating 82.5) – promising quick and decisive action on the environment
Denmark wraps up this exclusively European club and tops our list of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world.
Copenhagen has taken a huge step forward by pledging to be carbon neutral by 2025, only three years away. There are also cycle superhighways that connect the city with the rural parts of the country.