Index measures performance of 60 countries in the global green economy
Germany and Denmark have emerged as the top two green performers of 2014 (based on perception), according to the fourth edition of the Global Green Economy Index (GGEI). Sweden and Norway, on the other hand, have scored the highest based on performance.
The report applauds the countries’ performance in both economic and environmental categories of the index and recognises their role as global green leaders.
The GGEI, produced by a private US-based consultancy called Dual Citizen LLC, releases a ranking of countries based on their performance in the global green economy as evaluated by expert practitioners. The report says it serves as an important communications tool for policy makers, international organisations and the private sector to evaluate green performance of countries.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) defines green economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. Such an economy is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.
Costa Rica comes third on the GGEI performance measure, after Norway. This is the first time that the country has appeared in global rankings. Copenhagen, Vancouver and Singapore are among the top 10 green cities of the world.
The performance index of the GGEI is defined by 32 factors which come under four main dimensions of leadership and climate change, efficiency sectors, markets and investment and environment and natural capital. The perception survey, on the other hand, polls select respondents on how they assess the countries’ performance on the four dimensions. It reveals the efficiency with which countries are able to communicate their green performance.
All’s not well for these countries
The GGEI index found that Australia, Japan, the Netherlands and the United States appeared to receive more credit than they deserve, as their perception score was dramatically more than their actual performance score.
Austria, Iceland, Portugal, Ireland and Spain, on the other hand, needed to revisit their communication strategies regarding their green performance as their perception score was significantly lower than their actual performance.
Of the fastest growing economies in the world, Ghana, the United Arab Emirates, China and Thailand rank poorly on the GGEI performance measure. The report urges these countries to reorient their economies and integrate greener policies.
Smaller countries like Ethiopia, Rwanda, Colombia and Chile performed better and the report recommends that they should invest in better positioning of their green economies on the international stage.
Scores for India
While India is perceived as an appealing market for global renewable energy investors, it ranks near the bottom on dimensions such as leadership and climate change and environment and natural capital performance. The report calls attention to India’s carbon inefficient economy, especially agriculture, air quality and water.
Read the full report: http://dualcitizeninc.com/GGEI-Report2014.pdf
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