Environmental Performance Index

Countries by Environmental Performance Index (2020)

The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is a method of quantifying and numerically marking the environmental performance of a state's policies. This index was developed from the Pilot Environmental Performance Index, first published in 2002, and designed to supplement the environmental targets set forth in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.^[1]

The EPI was preceded by the Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI), published between 1999 and 2005. Both indices were developed by Yale University (Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy) and Columbia University (Center for International Earth Science Information Network) in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. The ESI was developed to evaluate environmental sustainability relative to the paths of other countries. Due to a shift in focus by the teams developing the ESI, the EPI uses outcome-oriented indicators, then working as a benchmark index that can be more easily used by policy makers, environmental scientists, advocates and the general public.^[2] Other leading indices like the Global Green Economy Index (GGEI)^[3] provide an integrated measure of the environmental, social and economic dynamics of national economies. The GGEI utilizes EPI data for the environmental dimension of the index while also providing a performance assessment of efficiency sectors (e.g. transport, buildings, energy), investment, green innovation and national leadership around climate change.

The Environmental Performance Index for the year 2020 ranks 180 countries. The top five countries are Denmark, Luxembourg, Switzerland, United Kingdom and France.^[4]

Methodology[]

EPI calculation variables change often as can be seen below. This should be taken into account when observing country performance through several reports, as it can lead to score and ranking changes founded just on methodology modification.

2020 variables^[5][]

2018 variables[]

The variables in 2018 are largely similar to those from 2016, but have changed in details and some weights. Notably environmental Health is now weighted at 40% and ecosystem vitality at 60%.^[6]

EPI scores[]

2020[]

The Environmental Performance Index for the year 2020 ranks 180 countries.^[7]

Top 30 countries and score

2018[]

Rank	Country	EPI score	Environmental Health (40% weight)	Ecosystem Vitality (60% weight)
1	Switzerland	87.42	93.57	83.32
2	France	83.95	95.71	76.11
3	Denmark	81.60	98.20	70.53
4	Malta	80.90	93.80	72.30
5	Sweden	80.51	94.41	71.24
6	United Kingdom	79.89	96.03	69.13
7	Luxembourg	79.12	95.07	68.48
8	Austria	78.97	86.38	74.03
9	Ireland	78.77	95.92	67.34
10	Finland	78.64	99.35	64.83
11	Iceland	78.57	98.41	65.34
12	Spain	78.39	94.21	67.85
13	Germany	78.37	88.68	71.50
14	Norway	77.49	97.86	63.91
15	Belgium	77.38	89.37	69.39
16	Italy	76.96	85.88	71.02
17	New Zealand	75.96	95.96	62.63
18	Netherlands	75.46	92.26	64.25
19	Israel	75.01	94.14	62.25
20	Japan	74.69	92.99	62.48
21	Australia	74.12	97.95	58.23
22	Greece	73.60	91.03	61.98
23	Taiwan	72.84	69.85	74.83
24	Cyprus	72.60	87.96	62.37
25	Canada	72.18	97.51	55.29
26	Portugal	71.91	90.47	59.53
27	United States of America	71.19	93.91	56.04
28	Slovakia	70.60	63.87	75.08
29	Lithuania	69.33	72.57	67.18
30	Bulgaria	67.85	69.60	66.68

EPI report archive[]

Below is a list of links to the official archive of past reports

• 2016 EPI full report regional rankings and scores (pages 111 - 114)
• 2014 EPI full report regional rankings and scores (pages 121 - 123)
• 2010 EPI summary rankings and scores are on page 6. Includes pilot tend EPI
• 2010 EPI summary rankings and scores are on page 6
• 2008 EPI summary includes rankings and scores
• 2006 EPI pilot summary rankings and scores are on page 6

Criticisms[]

The methodology for the EPI has been criticized for its arbitrary choice of metrics which could introduce bias, and its poor performance as an indicator for environmental sustainability.^[8] Additional criticisms center on the EPI's lack of specific policy suggestions, and the index's weighting biases against data deficient countries that has led to the overlooking of ecological progress in developing countries. Below is a quote from the abstract:

Jordan spent 2001–2006 in a node represented by lower life expectancy due to particulate matter emissions (PME), but, from 2007 to 2010, the country shifted to a node with a lower PME magnitude—indicating a positive shift in overall environmental sustainability. By following the EPI ranking, the policymakers in Jordan may have assumed that their decisions between 2006 and 2008 led to a deterioration in environmental sustainability, when, in fact, the inconsistent nature of the weighting process involved in the EPI rankings is a likely cause...^[8]

See also[]

• Environmental Vulnerability Index (EVI)
• Consumer product labeling

References[]

External links[]

• Yale University – EPI – A collaboration between Yale and Columbia Universities
• Yale University – YCELP – Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy
• 2018 Environmental Performance Index