The Environmental Performance Index 2020, an initiative of top universities Yale and Columbia, annually investigates how well 180 countries score in terms of sustainability. The purpose of the EPI is to confront countries with their own scores: reward green leaders for their environmentally friendly policies and confront others with their weaknesses. This year, these are the most sustainable countries in the world.

Daniel Esty, one of the report's authors, says he notices a strong trend in the report's 22-year history. "There is always a group of countries that pursue their sustainable policies with care and continuity, with the ultimate goal of outperforming each other. Good governance (transparent, non-corrupt policies that work with diverse populations, n.d.) is necessary for green leaders," emphasises Esty, professor of Environmental Law and Policy at Yale University. According to the EPI, these are the best students in the class:

1. Denmark

The Danish EPI score is a direct translation of how its population views current environmental issues. One out of two Danes identify climate change as the top priority for European politicians. The country scores exceptionally well on every aspect mapped by the EPI, with peaks in air quality, waste management, sewerage and clean drinking water. In addition, all Danish waste is recycled or composted and only a fraction is incinerated. Denmark has the largest and most elaborate programmes to combat climate change. Most recently, they set themselves the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030.

2. Luxembourg

Not long ago, many newspapers were still running the headline "Luxembourg first country in the world to offer free public transport". With 400,00 expatriates moving in and out of the capital every day, and with only 110,000 inhabitants, Luxembourg City has a serious traffic problem. To improve mobility in the city and reduce air pollution, it was decided to make the public transport network free of charge throughout the country.

3. Switzerland

Switzerland has always scored high on this index, more specifically because of local air quality. In addition, there has been a consistent waste management policy for years. In some regions, waste containers have even been fitted with microchips to weigh waste and charge the consumer an appropriate amount. Would you like to use Swiss public transport? Then you will enjoy typical Swiss punctuality. With 9,000 trains crossing the country every day, the country is breaking European records, because the Swiss themselves are also avid public transport users. It is therefore no coincidence that the country is among the top three most sustainable countries in the world.

4. United Kingdom

At first glance, it seems as if the Brexit is making the UK even more ambitious on environmental issues, rather than slowing it down. The country is making one promise after another and seems to be delivering on them. According to former climate change minister Claire Perry, the UK is a world leader in the combination of emission reduction and economic growth. It is not yet clear whether the current corona crisis, which is hitting the UK hard, is affecting the plans.

5. France

France deserves a place among the top five most sustainable countries in the world because it is a sustainable pioneer. It is the first country in the world to issue green bonds. In addition, the government is still committed to stop producing oil or gas by 2040. Although that would be a rather symbolic milestone (France mainly imports oil and gas and will not stop doing so, nvdr), their investments in the fight against climate change remain large. For example, French subsidies for buying an electric car were recently increased to 7,000 euros and President Emmanuel Macron injected 8 billion euros into the car industry. The latter is on the condition that the sector invests heavily in the further development and production of electric cars.

6. Austria

The sixth place in the world goes to mountainous Austria. What does this country excel in? It has the largest absolute number of 100% electric cars on its roads, almost every home is fitted with a heat pump and generating your own sustainable energy is perfectly normal. In addition, Austria has built an international reputation in the field of sustainable innovation. For example, the Austrian company Lenzing patented the lyocell fibre under the name Tencel™. Tencel™ being the most sustainable fibre in existence today, a Czech-Austrian product that shook the fashion industry.

7. Finland

Finland's greatest asset? Its ambitious capital Helsinki. Not only was the country declared the 'happiest country in the world' again this year, but its capital also took the title of 'happiest city in the world'. The Finns have a lot in common, because they say social cohesion and empathy are their strongest points. By 2021, Helsinki wants to be the world's best testing ground for clean and smart solutions. It is an initiative that not only enjoys broad political, but also public support. The city is not waiting for the decisions to be made and wants to make the transition to a circular economy, emission-free mobility and citizens with knowledge of raw materials as soon as possible. The neighbouring city of Lahti is also taking part in the project.

8. Sweden

Why Sweden should not be missing from the top ten most sustainable countries is a statement in itself. Here, it is forbidden by law not to give priority to climate policy. Last year, Sweden stepped onto the world stage with the so-called Climate Act, in which they committed themselves to becoming fully climate-neutral by 2045. That is five years earlier than what the EU Member States agreed in the Paris climate agreement. In addition, the Swedish government gives its citizens small nudges in the green direction by, for example, giving tax benefits to those who have their things repaired instead of buying new ones and residents engage in 'plogging'. The latter is cleaning up rubbish while jogging.

9. Norway

Norway is best known for its fjords, a natural phenomenon that the Norwegian government wants to protect as much as possible. By imposing strong measures and restrictions on cruise ships visiting the fjords, the policy aims to gradually reduce emissions in the fjords to zero by 2026. From then on, only ships and ferries with zero emissions will be allowed.

10. Germany

Germany is rounding off our list of the ten most sustainable countries in the world. At the end of last year, the government launched the 'Klimapaket', a series of measures that highlight Germany's sustainable ambitions. VAT on train tickets would be reduced, fuels such as gasoline, diesel, gas and heating oil would rise in price (measures were announced before the corona crisis), airline tickets would be taxed more heavily, a new subsidy would boost the sale of electric cars and the government planned 1 million extra charging stations.

The Netherlands just missed out on the top 10 and landed in eleventh place. Belgium has to settle for fifteenth most sustainable country in the world.