Climate Change Performance Index 2018 – India ranks 14th, Sweden ranks highest

India has ranked 14^th out of 56 nations and European Union on Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2018 released by environmental organisation Germanwatch.  This marks an improvement from its 20th rank in CCPI 2017.

About Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI):

Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) keeps track of countries’ efforts in combating climate change.

• It is issued by Germanwatch, the New Climate Institute and the Climate Action Network.
• On the basis of standardized criteria, the index evaluates and compares the climate protection performance of 56 countries and European Unionthat together are responsible for about 90% of global energy-related CO2 emissions.
• CCPI 2018 report was released on November 15, 2017 on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change negotiations (COP23) in Bonn, Germany.

Highlights of Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) Report:

Improvement in India’s rank in CCPI 2018 indicates that Indian Government is putting efforts for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by opting to transform its electricity sector towards green technology.

• China, which is one of the highest GHG emitting country, ranks 41st.
• Similar to last year’s rankings, top three rankings are still unoccupied  as no country has adhered to commitments made in 2015 Paris Climate Accord that aims to keep the average global temperature rise below two degrees Celsius and as close as possible to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
• The bottom three countries in the index are Korea (58), Iran (59) and Saudi Arabia (rank 60). These countries have not made any progress in this direction of reducing emission levels, nor have shown any ambition to do so.
• The report has taken into consideration commitments by nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 per cent and increase energy efficiency and renewables by at least 27 per cent by year 2030.

Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) – Top 10 Countries: