According to the biennial Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2022 released which was analysed by the researchers at the Earth Institute of Yale and Columbia University, India has been ranked 180 which is at the bottom amongst other countries with a total score of 18.9.Denmark tops the index of emerging as the most sustainable country in the 2022 rankings.
- India’s neighbouring nations have shown better rankings including Pakistan which ranked 176 and Bangladesh ranked 177.
- Funding from the McCall MacBain Foundation of Canada supports the EPI work at both Yale and Columbia.
Key points:
The markedly poor air quality due to urbanisation and industrialization, emits dangerous levels of air pollution which inturn raises greenhouse gas emissions has together brought India to the very bottom in rankings.
- India had ranked 168 in the EPI 2020 and 177 in EPI 2018.
India’s category wise score: Click here to know more
| Category | Rank | EPI Score | 10-year challenge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ecosystem Vitality | 178 | 19.30 | -2.10 |
| Health | 178 | 12.50 | 2.90 |
| Climate Policy | 165 | 21.70 | -0.90 |
EPI 2022:
i.The 2022 EPI provides a quantitative basis for comparing, analysing, and understanding environmental performance for 180 countries.
ii.There are 40 performance indicators across the 11 issue categories on 3 primary categories environmental health, climate change performance, and ecosystem vitality.
EPI 2022 Projections:
i.Based on data from 2010 through 2019, EPI has projected that the United States (US) will be among the four largest greenhouse gas emitters in 2050, along with China, India, and Russia which contributes to 50 % of the emissions.
ii.Few countries such as the United Kingdom and Denmark can achieve net zero emissions by 2050 through their ambitious climate change policies.
- Denmark has set a national target of reducing 2030 emissions by 70% compared with the 1990 level and has also expanded greenhouse gas taxes.
Top 5 countries:
| Country | Rank | EPI Score | 10-year change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denmark | 1 | 77.90 | 14.90 |
| United Kingdom | 2 | 77.70 | 23.00 |
| Finland | 3 | 76.50 | 21.00 |
| Malta | 4 | 75.20 | 25.40 |
| Sweden | 5 | 72.70 | 15.80 |
Bottom 5 countries:
| Country | Rank | EPI Score | 10-year change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 176 | 24.60 | 1.40 |
| Bangladesh | 177 | 23.10 | -1.90 |
| Vietnam | 178 | 20.10 | -0.60 |
| Myanmar | 179 | 19.40 | -3.80 |
| India | 180 | 18.90 | -0.60 |
Recent related news:
According to Down To Earth’s 9th edition of annual state of India’s Environment Report 2022, India has slipped 3 ranks to 120 from 117 in 2021 on the 17 sustainable development goals (SDG) adopted as a part of the 2030 agenda by 192 united nations member states in 2015. India’s overall GDP score was 66 out of 100.
About Yale University:
President – Peter Salovey
Headquarters – New Haven , United States
About Columbia University:
President – Lee C. Bollinger
Headquarters – New York, United States
