Environment Performance Index 2020

Environment performance index

HEADLINES:

India must redouble sustainability efforts: Environment performance index

WHY IN NEWS:

India ranked 168 out of 180 countries; all South Asian countries, except Afghanistan, were ahead of India in the ranking

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Reports and Indices : Environment Performance Index #UPSC

LEARNING:

For PRELIMS it is important to remember the parameters on which this report is calculated and the publishers. Do not forget Environment Performance Index is a biennial report .

For MAINS look out for the indices in which India can improve substantially and the variables where we need to focus now !

ISSUE:

India secured 168 rank in the 12^th edition of the biennial Environment Performance Index (EPI Index 2020) — that measured the environmental performance of 180 countries .

Page Contents:

PUBLISHED BY

It was released by the Yale University on June 4, 2020.

OVERALL RANKING BEFORE

India’s rank was 177 (with a score of 27.6 out of 100) in 2018.

INDICATORS AND TRENDS

The global index considered 32 indicators of environmental performance, giving a snapshot of the 10-year trends in environmental performance at the national and global levels.

SOURCES : https://epi.yale.edu #INDICATORS

POOR PERFORMANCE SOUTH ASIAN REGION

EFFORTS :India needs to re-double national sustainability efforts on all fronts, according to the index.
FOCUS :The country needs to focus on critical issues such as air and water quality, biodiversity and climate change.
COUNTRIES LAGGING BEHIND INDIA : The 11 countries were — Burundi, Haiti, Chad, Soloman Islands, Madagascar, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoir, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Liberia.
All South Asian countries, except Afghanistan, were ahead of India in the ranking.

Country	Global Score	Ranking
Bhutan	39.3	107
Sri Lanka	39.0	109
Maldives	35.6	127
Pakistan	33.1	142
Nepal	32.7	145
Bangladesh	29.0	162
India	27.6	169
Afghanistan	25.5	178

SOURCES :DownToEarth

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SHOULD BE TOP AGENDA

India scored below the regional average score on all five key parameters on environmental health, including air quality, sanitation and drinking water, heavy metals and waste management.

POOR PERFORMANCE :

India has also scored below the regional average on parameters related to biodiversity and ecosystem services too.
Among South Asian countries, India was at second position (rank 106) after Pakistan on ‘climate change’.

THE PERFORMANCE ON CLIMATE CHANGE WAS ASSESSED BASED ON:

Adjusted emission growth rates;
Composed of growth rates of four greenhouse gases and one pollutant;
Growth rate in carbon dioxide emissions from land cover;
Greenhouse gas intensity growth rate;
Greenhouse gas emissions per capita.

The report indicated that black carbon, carbon dioxide emissions and green house emissions per capita increased in 10 years.

GOOD GOVERNANCE :

GOOD GOVERNANCE VALUES TO BE ADDED

Real public participation in the policy process,
Carefully structured regulatory strategy,
Open debate over goals and programs,
The presence of a lively media and vibrant non-profits,
Commitment to the rule of law all correlate with out-performance over time.

IASbhai WINDUP:

The report makes it clear that we will need new futures, new directions for growth.
This can’t happen if our natural resources are threatened and our governance systems and practices are failing.
‘Green’ growth requires protection and sustainable use of our natural resources.
It cannot happen if our health is compromised.

SUGGESTED READING : https://epi.yale.edu

SOURCES:DownToEarth | Environment Performance Index | UPSC

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