The latest biannual Environmental Performance Index (EPI) created by Yale and Columbia University ranks countries on their commitment to sustainability.

Using 47 different indicators, split into 12 categories, and data from research institutions, NGOs governmental organisations such as the EU’s Copernicus, countries are rated out of 100.

European countries have dominated the rankings, in part due to the need to reconsider their energy supplies in light of the attempted invasion of Ukraine, but also in reduction of domestic fossil fuel use (such as the UK’s rejection of coal).

The EPI 2026’s top five countries were: Estonia (score of 75), Luxembourg (74), UK (72), Finland (71), Netherlands (71).

Meanwhile, at the other end of the rankings, China ranks 129th, with Laos 177th and last. The US, along with China the other major emitter, slipped to 27th place and looks likely to fall further as the data catches up with the Trump years.

The Index summary notes that, ‘Although environmental progress is visible in some places, humanity's impact on the natural systems that sustain life has intensified, demanding carefully designed, evidence-based policy action.’

Wealth, it also notes, is a strong predictor of environmental performance, with high-income countries scoring dramatically better than low-income countries on nearly every indicator, but at every income level, some countries out- or under-perform their peers. The data demonstrate that sound environmental governance, carefully structured economic plans, and strategic investments can produce strong outcomes even in resource-constrained settings.

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