In the most recent Environment Performance Index (EPI) 2022 edition, India has landed at a lowly 180th rank out of 180 countries evaluated. This annual report measures the environmental health and sustainability of nations worldwide, spotlighting their success or failures in various important categories.
Understanding the Environment Performance Index
Originally launched as the Environmental Sustainability Index in 2002 by the World Economic Forum, Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, and Columbia University Center for International Earth Science Information Network, the EPI has evolved to become a crucial indicator of global environmental health. This biennial index now employs 40 performance indicators grouped into three main areas of concern – Environmental Health, Ecosystem Vitality, and Climate Change.
These indicators are scaled from 0 to 100, where 0 signifies the worst performance and 100 indicates the best. Countries are ranked according to these scales, reflecting how closely they are meeting their environmental policy goals.
The Framework of 2022 EPI Criteria
The 2022 EPI framework is built on 11 distinct issue categories that encompass a broad range of environmental concerns. These categories are in turn aggregated under three policy objectives, namely Environmental Health, Ecosystem Vitality, and Climate Change. This structure presents a comprehensive view of each country’s policy efficacy and the skilfulness of their approach to various environmental challenges.
Key Takeaways from the 2022 EPI
Denmark leads the chart in 2022, with its impressive scores reflecting the nation’s sustained commitment towards clean energy and sustainable agriculture. Close behind, the United Kingdom and Finland have achieved high scores primarily due to sizeable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
The United States falls noticeably lower on the list, securing the 20th position among 22 affluent democracies and 43rd globally. In contrast, India sits at the very bottom, with a dismal score of 18.9, following countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Myanmar.
India’s Performance and Comparison
The EPI report underlines India’s weak performance in key sectors such as rule of law, control of corruption, and government effectiveness. This disappointing ranking is a significant decline from the nation’s previously held 168th position in the EPI-2020, where India scored 27.6.
The Significance of the EPI
As a widely recognized tool for environmental assessment, the EPI enables governments to identify key drivers of positive performance. By analysing this data, it becomes evident that elements like financial resources, strong governance, advanced human development, and quality regulations play pivotal roles in propelling a country’s environmental sustainability.
Moreover, the EPI also serves as a guide for building sustainable development strategies and lends support to efforts towards a more environmentally secure and equitable future. The index is instrumental in reinforcing the importance of the environment on the global stage and underscores the pressing need for all nations to prioritize sustainability.
Given the EPI’s findings, it is clear that environmental policy must remain a primary focus for nations worldwide. Countries must strive for innovation and accountability in their environmental governance, especially those like India who have significant room for improvement according to the current EPI rankings. By spotlighting these issues, societies can pave the way towards a more sustainable future for all.
