Environmental Performance Index
The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is an index 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 (WEF).
The Index ranks 180 countries on 24 performance indicators across multiple issue categories:
- Environmental Health – Air Quality, Water & Sanitation, Heavy Metals, Waste Management
- Ecosystem Vitality – Biodiversity & Habitat, Forests, Fisheries, Climate & Energy, Air Pollution, Agriculture, Wastewater Treatment
These metrics provide a gauge at a national scale of how close countries are to established environmental policy goals. The EPI thus offers a scorecard that highlights leaders and laggards in environmental performance, gives insight on best practices, and provides guidance for countries that aspire to be leaders in sustainability.
The index is published every 2 years and is designed to supplement the environmental targets set forth in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is an index 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 (WEF).
The Index ranks 180 countries on 24 performance indicators across multiple issue categories:
- Environmental Health – Air Quality, Water & Sanitation, Heavy Metals, Waste Management
- Ecosystem Vitality – Biodiversity & Habitat, Forests, Fisheries, Climate & Energy, Air Pollution, Agriculture, Wastewater Treatment
These metrics provide a gauge at a national scale of how close countries are to established environmental policy goals. The EPI thus offers a scorecard that highlights leaders and laggards in environmental performance, gives insight on best practices, and provides guidance for countries that aspire to be leaders in sustainability.
The index is published every 2 years and is designed to supplement the environmental targets set forth in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
SUBJECT Variables
OVERALL PERFORMANCE
The overall performance score is a weighted average of 24 performance indicators grouped under 'Environmental Health' and 'Ecosystem Vitality.'
- India is placed at the 168th position amongst 180 countries in the 2020 Environment Performance Index
- India's overall score has dropped from 30.57 in 2018 to 27.6 in 2020. While India's performance improved in Environmental Health, it fared poorly in Ecosystem Vitality which impacted its overall score.
- The pole position on EPI 2020 is occupied by Denmark with an overall score of 82.5 followed by Luxembourg with an overall score of 82.3. Amongst its South Asia peers, India is marginally above Afghanistan and lower than Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal on the index which has Bhutan sitting comfortably at the top of the regional list with a score of 39.3.
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Environmental Health
The Environmental Health policy objective measures how well countries are protecting their populations from environmental health risks. It comprises 40% of the total EPI score and is made up of four issue categories that measures specific indicators:
- Air Quality: PM2.5 exposure, household solid fuels, and ozone exposure.
- Sanitation & Drinking Water: Unsafe drinking water and unsafe sanitation
- Heavy Metals: Lead exposure
- Waste Management: Solid waste management
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