The latest Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2020 results have revealed that India secured the 168th rank, a slight improvement from its 177th position in 2018. The 12th edition of the EPI, devised collaboratively by Yale University, Columbia University, and the World Economic Forum, serves as a crucial scorecard identifying the leaders and laggards in environmental performance. Initially published in 2002, the EPI was aimed at complementing the environmental targets outlined in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
Key Findings of EPI 2020
The EPI 2020 evaluated the environmental performance of 180 countries using 32 indicators. It provided a comprehensive view of the 10-year environmental performance trends on both national and global scales. The index highlighted Denmark as the top performer with a score of 82.5.
India’s Performance in EPI 2020
In the 2020 EPI Index, India managed to score only 27.6 out of 100. This places India lower than all South Asian countries, with the exception of Afghanistan. Moreover, India performed below the South-Asian regional average score across all five key parameters concerning environmental health. These include air quality, sanitation and drinking water, heavy metals, and waste management.
This aligns with the issues brought to light by the ‘State of India’s Environment 2020 in Figures’ report by the Centre for Science and Environment. Furthermore, India also performed below the regional average on parameters related to biodiversity and ecosystem services. Among South Asia countries, India clinched the second position after Pakistan in the ‘climate change’ category. Despite Pakistan’s top score (50.6) in this category, a ten-year comparison progress report reflected India’s downhill journey on climate-related parameters.
Increasing Environmental Issues in India
The progress report underscored that black carbon, carbon dioxide emissions, and greenhouse emissions per capita in India escalated over the last decade. These factors have contributed to the worsening environmental conditions in the country.
India’s Environmental Conservation Efforts
Despite the alarming environmental issues, several conservation programmes are underway in India. These include the National Action Plan on Climate Change, National Action Programme to Combat Desertification, National Clean Air Program, Environment Management Plan, National Afforestation Programme, Project Elephant, and Project Tiger.
What Needs to Be Done?
The EPI score underscores the urgent need for India to boost national sustainability efforts comprehensively. It should focus on a vast array of sustainability problems, prioritizing critical issues like air and water quality, biodiversity, and climate change. Continued commitment to environmental improvement will undoubtedly influence India’s performance in subsequent EPI editions.