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February 1, 2021

MIT Technology Review Insights Ranking highlights the Countries making the fastest progress to a low-carbon future.

Photo: Greenery. Image credit: Tom Blackwell.

Photo: The MIT Green Future Index Rankings World Map.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 31, 2021 — The Green Future Index, a new study by MIT Technology Review Insights, in association with Citrix, Morgan Stanley, and Salesforce, ranks 76 countries and territories. The nations get ranked on the progress and commitment they are making toward a green future. The index indicates what they are doing to reduce carbon emissions, develop clean energy, innovate in green sectors, and the degree to which governments are implementing effective climate policies.

The MIT Technology Review index shows which countries are progressing fastest in global efforts to decarbonize and limit global heating in line with the Paris Agreement’s goals.

The key findings are as follows:

• Europe will be a future green leader. Europe dominates the top of the index, with 15 European nations in the top 20. Many countries across the region have already made progress with curbing emissions, transitioning energy production to renewable sources, and investing in green mobility. Since covid, the EU has committed more than €200 billion in bold green economy investments, accelerating decarbonization even in the most fossil-fuel dependent states.

• Iceland, Denmark, and Norway top the index. Iceland, in the first place, aims to be carbon neutral by 2040. The country has become a world leader in clean energy and carbon capture technology. Denmark (2nd) is the largest hydrocarbons producer in Europe to stop issuing new oil and gas exploration licenses. Norway (3rd) is also striving to decouple its economy from fossil fuels.

• Costa Rica and New Zealand secure top 10 positions. Costa Rica ranked 7th, and New Zealand, ranked 8th, have made significant strides with renewables and have world-leading agendas for decarbonization across industry and agriculture. Canada (14th), Singapore (16th), and Uruguay (20th), the other non-Europeans in the top 20, have strategies for decarbonization, transitioning energy sources, and government-led initiatives to promote green living. For example, Singapore’s Zero Waste Masterplan aims to reduce landfill waste by 30% between now and 2030.

• There is uneven progress across the world’s largest economies. The United States (40th) has reduced emissions over recent years and is responsible for nearly one-fifth of the world’s green patents. Yet, it is emerging from four years of climate denial and remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels and unsustainable farming practices. China (45th) is responsible for more than one-quarter of global emissions but has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2060 and is the world’s fastest-growing renewable energy producer. France (5th), Germany (11th), and Canada (14th) are the highest-ranked countries in the G20.

• The countries at the bottom of the index risk losing competitiveness in the green economy. The laggards include South Africa (47th), Vietnam (49th), and Indonesia (57th), where economic pressures run counter to sustainable development. Japan (60th) aims to be carbon neutral by 2050, although government targets for renewable energy remain modest. The 16 “abstainer” countries at the bottom include petrostates such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar, and Russia. The latter’s Energy Strategy 2035 for expanding oil and gas production identified the trend toward carbon neutrality as an existential threat.

“Covid-19 has created a huge momentum for developing green industries and financing infrastructure that will be clean, technologically advanced, and climate-resilient,” says Nico Crepaldi, head of custom content, MIT Technology Review. “In the future, we’re likely to see ‘green’ being synonymous with economic competitiveness.”

• The Green Future Index Country Rankings

1. Iceland
2. Denmark
3. Norway
4. France
5. Ireland
6. Finland
7. Costa Rica
8. New Zealand
9. Belgium
10. Netherlands
11. Germany
12. Sweden
13. Luxembourg
14. Canada
15. Austria
16. Singapore
17. United Kingdom
18. Spain
19. Switzerland
20. Uruguay
21. India
22. Italy
23. Kenya
24. Chile
25. Colombia
26. Morocco
27. Ethiopia
28. Czech Republic
29. Thailand
30. Portugal
31. South Korea
32. Brazil
33. Kazakhstan
34. Poland
35. Australia
36. Mexico
37. Greece
38. Israel
39. Hungary
40. United States
41. Cameroon
42. United Arab Emirates
43. Philippines
44. Bulgaria
45. China
46. Taiwan
47. South Africa
48. Romania
49. Vietnam
50. Slovakia
51. Zambia
52. Angola
53. Nigeria
54. Uganda
55. Dominican Republic
56. Malaysia
57. Indonesia
58. Egypt
59. Argentina
60. Japan
61. Saudi Arabia
62. Ecuador
63. Ukraine
64. Hong Kong
65. Kuwait
66. Peru
67. Pakistan
68. Turkey
69. Bangladesh
70. Guatemala
71. Ghana
72. Algeria
73. Russia
74. Iran
75. Paraguay
76. Qatar

Source: MIT Technology Review Insights

|GlobalGiants.Com|

Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:49 AM | Link to this Post

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