• Source:JND

Top 10 Greenest Countries In The World: As the world grapples with rising pollution levels and climate change, many countries are taking serious action to protect the environment. Some nations are great examples of how to preserve the air, water and land and promote green living. There are rankings about countries with the cleanest environment based on the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) with respect to air quality, biodiversity, climate policies and clean energy usage.

The 2024 EPI rankings show Estonia, Luxembourg, Germany and Finland at the top of the list with high scores. These countries have clean environments, forests, green cities and environmentally friendly lifestyles. For people from these countries, the habits of reducing, reusing and recycling, taking public transport, biking and conserving energy are the norm, which helps to keep the environment clean and healthy.

Top 10 Greenest Countries in the World

This list highlights the Top 10 Greenest Countries in the World, showing how each country has achieved a reasonable balance between growth and nature. It also draws attention to where India fits into the global picture and what actions India has taken to better its environmental health. Whether through public policies or public awareness, India is slowly moving towards a greener, cleaner future.

 Rank  Country  Environment Performance Index (EPI 2024) Score (out of 100)
 1.  Estonia  75.3
 2.  Luxembourg  75
 3.  Germany  74.6
 4.  Finland  73.7
 5.  United Kingdom  72.7
 6.  Sweden  70.5
 7.  Norway  70
 8.  Austria  69
 9.  Switzerland  68
 10.  Denmark  67.9

Source: World Population Review (Environment Performance Index)

1. Estonia – 75.3 EPI Score

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Estonia tops the list with its vast forests, clean air and emphasis on environmental matters. Half of Estonia is vegetation. Estonians take good care of themselves, live in harmony with nature and the government supports the green lifestyle through renewable energy and waste disposal, sometimes with strict punishment.

2. Luxembourg – 75 EPI Score

Following Estonia is Luxembourg, which is a very small but very green country. It has clean streets, fresh air, parks and green zones all around. Luxembourg embraces sustainable modes of transportation, has low carbon emissions and promotes cycling and public transport for a greener future.

3. Germany – 74.6 EPI Score

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Germany is well-known for leading an eco-friendly lifestyle and is capable of doing so because of large forests, untouched countryside and clean cities. They also have a high standard of environmental protection because they adapt to strict recycling regimes. Not to forget, they also use solar and wind energy and other large measures in everyday life.

 

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4. Finland – 73.7 EPI Score

Finland offers an abundance of lakes, landscapes and forests. People love to be outside and complete many of their activities whilst getting close to nature. Finland actively uses green technology, it has green energy and produces very low levels of air pollution, allowing for a nature-lover's paradise.

5. United Kingdom – 72.7 EPI Score

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The UK has numerous parks, gardens and green countryside areas available to the public. People are becoming more environmentally conscious by using electric vehicles, developing recycling habits, and supporting tree-planting drives. Cities like London are also emphasising reducing their pollution and their green spaces!

6. Sweden – 70.5 EPI Score

Sweden is known for its sustainability. You can find clean rivers, forests, cities and make arguably the best products in the world. Swedish people have an avid sensitivity to nature and constantly seek to be clean and green. Using green energy, eco-friendly products, or cycling or walking are a few examples of their daily habits that are aimed at keeping pollution down.

7. Norway – 70 EPI Score

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Norway's beautiful mountains, fjords and forests make it one of the cleanest places on the planet. The government subsidises electric vehicles and develops clean energy. The people of Norway seem to enjoy a simple lifestyle while being close to nature and environmentally aware.

 

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8. Austria – 69 EPI Score

Austria is full of green valleys, forests and clean cities. Austrians love hiking and being outdoors. The country uses hydro and solar power, and the cities promote biking and public transport over cars.

9. Switzerland – 68 EPI Score

Switzerland is known for its clean lakes, mountains and tidy cities. The people are very strict in their environmental practices. The country invests in green transportation and renewable energy to promote sustainability.

10. Denmark – 67.9 EPI Score

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Denmark promotes green living through its use of wind energy and cycling culture. Copenhagen, the capital, is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. People here support clean energy, recycling, and green designs in buildings.

Where India Stands In the Environment Performance Index?

India ranks very low, that is 176th out of 180 countries in the 2024 Environment Performance Index (EPI) with a score of 27.6 out of 100. The country's poor performance is attributed to its struggles with air quality, projected emissions and biodiversity & habitat conservation. Specifically, India ranks 177th in air quality and 178th in biodiversity & habitat conservation. Heavy reliance on coal and high pollution levels contribute to its low ranking.