The Greenest Countries in the World: From Europe to Africa

On the podium, in that order, are Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Finland. Italy is ranked 23rd in the EPI (Environmental Progress Index) ranking.

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ranking of green countries

VILLAGES MORE' GREENS IN THE WORLD

On the podium, in that order, are Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Finland. Italy, unfortunately, is only in 23rd place. The EPI (Environmental Progress Index) ranking provides a very accurate and reliable snapshot of the countries more greens the world. The EPI ranking ranks countries around the world based on their environmental performance., calculated using the Environmental Sustainability Index (EPI). Developed by Yale University and Columbia University, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, this index assesses the environmental performance of various countries by considering 32 performance indicators and 11 emissions categories.

Among the parameters examined are, for example, air quality, forest and water management, biodiversity, and pollution management. The ultimate goal is to identify the most widespread problems, identify the best ways to address them, and set the various sustainable development goals as needed.

READ ALSO : Let's change cities, we've figured out how. Fewer cars and less waste. And a home for everyone.

DENMARK

Denmark's strength, number one in the EPI ranking, lies primarily in health: from access to sanitation, to air quality, to waste management. Denmark's ranking also benefits from good biodiversity parameters, efficient use of water resources (with little waste), and low levels of harmful emissions.

 

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UK

In second place is the United Kingdom with an EPI score of 77.7. The country has demonstrated significant sustainability efforts, especially in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The UK is one of the few countries, along with Denmark, to have committed to reducing net CO2 emissions to zero by 2050. Sanitation and drinking water also contributed to the score.

United Kingdom

FINLAND

In third place is Finland, a country whose energy comes largely (about 35%) from renewable sources. Finland also pays close attention to the conservation of its forests and wildlife, and has numerous marine protected areas.

 

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MALTA

In fourth place is Malta, which has significantly improved its sustainability performance in recent years by working to protect its tree cover, achieving good results for both drinking water quality and the marine trophic index.

malt

SWEDEN

Sweden ranked fifth for both excellent air and water quality. The country also ranked second for "Sustainable Pesticide Use." The country also leads the way in the use of renewable energy sources and reduced carbon dioxide emissions.

 

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LUXEMBOURG

The sixth most sustainable country in the world according to the ranking is Luxembourg, which has proven to be virtuous in many respects. It is very attentive to the protection of plant and animal species, as well as waste management, hygiene, and environmental health protection despite its rapidly growing population.

Luxembourg

SLOVENIA

Among Eastern Europe, Slovenia has achieved excellent results in terms of "Ecosystem Vitality." The country boasts high-quality terrestrial biomes and is a leader in species protection. Furthermore, more than 30% of its territory is protected land.

AUSTRIA

And now we come to Austria, which ranked eighth: the country is very careful about managing waste, chemicals, and air pollution. It also pays close attention to the use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture.

SWITZERLAND

Switzerland, ranked ninth, is very attentive to recycling and renewable energy. Furthermore, in the public sector, it is increasingly demanding environmentally and resource-friendly products.

ICELAND

In tenth place we find Iceland, which has proven to be particularly virtuous with regards to environmental health in terms of air quality, drinking water, recycling, waste management and so on.

 

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ITALY RANKING 23RD

And what about Italy? It ranks twentieth, along with Canada and the Czech Republic, with a total score of 71. Specifically, the "health" section achieved 85.5 EPI points, while the "ecosystem vitality" section achieved 61.3. This means we're more "eco-friendly" in terms of air quality, access to sanitation and drinking water, heavy metals, and waste management. But we're less so in the areas of biodiversity, fisheries, water management, agriculture, pollution, and climate change.

READ ALSO: Cleaner air in Italy, a win for all. Meanwhile, here are the country's most polluted cities.

VILLAGES LESS GREENS OF THE WORLD

African countries are the most likely to occupy the lowest positions in the EPI rankings . Liberia is at the bottom with only 22.6 points, while Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Chad, Burundi, Ghana, Mauritania, and Gambia, to name a few, achieved almost equally low scores.

Equally low are the scores of Burma or Myanmar, the second-to-last country in the ranking with 25.1 points, Afghanistan (25.5), Madagascar (26.5), the Solomon Islands (26.7), Haiti (27) and India (27.6). The complete ranking is available here.

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