Which countries are working better in achieving climate goals?

The Climate Protection Index has been published annually since 2005. The 58 countries evaluated are responsible for 90 per cent of global CO2. None of the countries investigated is "on track to (achieve) the Paris climate goals", concluded the more than 100 experts who analyzed energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

As in previous years, the first three places in the ranking remained empty: so far, there is no "model country" in terms of climate protection. The experts also analyzed the strategies, the number of renewable energies used in combination with other energy sources, the speed in abandoning non-renewable energies and the work of politicians when implementing the climate pact in their own countries and internationally.

The ranking leaves the first three places in the classification empty, but shows the podium of the most virtuous nations, and also of the least exemplary.

The ranking of the countries that best fight against global warming
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Yes, the first three places in this ranking have been left empty. It's not a mistake. GermanWatch voluntarily left these places empty in order to symbolize the inability of States to implement effective policies to reduce their CO2 emissions. No country is currently in the right momentum to meet the CO2 reduction efforts necessary to fight against climate change. That's why none is on the podium.

4 – Sweden

As in the ranking of the countries that best protect their environment, the countries of northern Europe occupy the first position in this ranking of the countries that best fight against global warming. Sweden ranks fourth, thanks in particular to an effective reforestation and forest preservation policy.

5 – Lithuania

Lithuania has relatively low-carbon electricity production compared to other countries in the region. Its energy imports come mainly from Sweden, which has a very renewable and carbon-free mix.

6 – Morocco

Morocco emits little CO2, in particular thanks to its favorable climate and its lower level of consumption than in certain advanced economies.

7 – Norway

Another Nordic country, which occupies a prominent place in the ranking thanks to low CO2 emission electricity (mainly renewable hydroelectricity) as well as a proactive policy in the fight against global warming (ban on thermal cars in 2035, ban on cars in Oslo…).

8 – United Kingdom

The United Kingdom enjoys a good position in this ranking thanks to certain sectoral energy policies. However, the main result of this country comes from its economic transition: the country emits less CO2 because it is relocating its industrial production to replace it with a service economy. Result to put in perspective.

9 – Finland

The energy policy of is praised: electricity production there is mostly of non-carbon origin (nuclear up to 27%, hydroelectric up to 18%).

10 – Latvia

A relatively ambitious climate policy, a growing share of renewable energies and a good energy efficiency policy: this is what characterize Latvia in this ranking.

11 – Malt

The island of Malta emits relatively little CO2 per inhabitant (main thanks to a very service-oriented economy) and uses relatively little energy.

12 – Switzerland

Switzerland usually ranks high in this type of ranking because electricity emits little CO2.

13 – Croatia

The vast majority of energy in Croatia comes from renewable or non-carbon sources (hydroelectricity, thermal or nuclear). In fact, the country emits relatively little CO2.

14-India

Paradoxically, 's level of development pushes it up the rankings. Since the country consumes relatively little and a large part of its population is still in relative poverty, the country emits little CO2 per capita.

15 – France

France scores points in this ranking for two main reasons: firstly, thanks to nuclear electricity, France emits very little CO2 per kWh of electricity generated.

16 – Italy

The progress made in recent years in the transition to renewable energy in Italy has not been enough to secure the country a place in the top 15. Indeed, Italian climate and energy policy still lacks ambition, according to the report's authors.

17 – Denmark

Although the country is one of the pioneers of renewable energy and wind power in particular in Europe, the report points to Denmark's recent climate policy as a negative point.

18-Portugal

Much progress has been made in recent years in terms of energy transition and energy efficiency in Portugal, a country that sometimes manages to make a good part of its electricity consumption 100% renewable. But there is still a long way to go.

19 Brazil

In Brazil, some signs are positive in the fight against climate change: electricity is quite marked by the presence of renewable energies (particularly hydroelectric), and its emission reduction goals are ambitious.

20 – Ukraine

Ukraine closes this ranking: a relatively ambitious energy consumption reduction and energy efficiency policy offsets rather low emission reduction targets.

At the bottom of the list

In the group of countries with a very low score is half of the G20: Japan (49), Turkey (50), Russia (52), Canada (54), Australia (55), Korea (57) and, in the last positions, USA (59) and Arabia (60). The US again loses several places due to its poor results in the indicators of emissions, renewables and energy use.

Examiners gave the Trump administration a very low grade when it comes to climate policies.

However, they detect positive signs in the climate action of several of their states and cities due to the promise of the Democrats to promote climate policies after the newly regained majority in the House of Representatives.

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