Table of Contents
Relevance:
UPSC GS Paper III: Environment, Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Conservation
Prelims: Environmental Indices, EPI, CCPI, CRI, SDGs, Paris Agreement
For Prelims:
- Environmental Performance Index | Yale University | CIESIN | Climate Change Performance Index | Climate Risk Index
For Mains:
- Environmental governance | Sustainable development | Climate vulnerability | Decarbonisation | Ecological accountability
Why in News?
The Environmental Performance Index 2026 was recently released. India ranked 176th out of 177 countries, while Estonia topped the index. The report has again brought attention to India’s environmental performance, climate governance, sustainability indicators and the debate over global environmental rankings.
What is the Environmental Performance Index?
The Environmental Performance Index is a biennial global index that ranks countries based on their environmental performance.
It acts as a data-driven scorecard to assess how well countries are performing in areas such as:
- air quality
- water quality
- biodiversity
- sustainable forestry
- greenhouse gas reduction
- climate change action
- ecosystem vitality
- environmental public health
The index helps policymakers track sustainability progress, identify ecological vulnerabilities and improve environmental policy.
Institutions Behind EPI
The EPI is developed by:
- Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy
- Columbia University’s Center for International Earth Science Information Network
- Yale Center for Geospatial Solutions
- Supported by the McCall MacBain Foundation
Methodology of EPI 2026
The EPI 2026 assessed:
- 177 countries
- 47 specific metrics
- 12 issue categories
- 3 broad policy objectives
Three Policy Objectives
| Policy Objective | Focus Area |
| Environmental Health | Air quality, water, sanitation and public health |
| Ecosystem Vitality | Biodiversity, forests, fisheries and natural resources |
| Climate Change | Greenhouse gas reduction and decarbonisation |
The index is also linked to broader global goals such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement.
Global Rankings in EPI 2026
European countries dominated the top ranks.
Top 10 Countries in EPI 2026
| Rank | Country |
| 1 | Estonia |
| 2 | Luxembourg |
| 3 | United Kingdom |
| 4 | Finland |
| 5 | Netherlands |
| 6 | Germany |
| 7 | France |
| 8 | Norway |
| 9 | Sweden |
| 10 | Austria |
Key Global Facts
- Estonia ranked 1st with a score of 74.79.
- Laos ranked lowest with a score of 21.78.
- Five European countries occupied the top five positions.
- EPI 2026 scores showed a strong correlation with national wealth, with a correlation value of r = 0.69.
This means richer countries generally perform better, though some countries outperform or underperform within their income group.
India’s Performance in EPI 2026
India ranked 176th out of 177 countries, second from the bottom.
India’s Key Scores
| Indicator | India’s Performance |
| Rank | 176th / 177 |
| Overall EPI Score | 22.46 |
| Regional Average | 31.81 |
| Tree Cover Loss in Key Biodiversity Areas | -3.92 |
India’s low rank reflects concerns related to air pollution, biodiversity pressure, climate vulnerability and sustainability challenges.
India’s Objection to EPI Methodology
- India has previously questioned the methodology of the EPI.
- In 2022, when India ranked 180th out of 180 countries, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change rejected the ranking. It argued that the index used indicators based on unfounded assumptions, extrapolations and unscientific methods.
Other Important Climate-Related Indices
EPI should be studied along with other climate-related indices such as:
- Climate Change Performance Index
- Climate Risk Index
These indices measure different aspects of climate and environmental performance.
Climate Change Performance Index 2026
The Climate Change Performance Index is an independent monitoring tool that tracks the climate mitigation performance of 63 countries and the European Union.
It is published by:
- Germanwatch
- New Climate Institute
- Climate Action Network International
CCPI Assessment Categories
| Category | Weightage |
| GHG Emissions | 40% |
| Renewable Energy | 20% |
| Energy Use | 20% |
| Climate Policy | 20% |
CCPI 2026 Top Rankings
The top three positions remained vacant because no country achieved a “very high” rating.
| Rank | Country | Score |
| 1 | Vacant | — |
| 2 | Vacant | — |
| 3 | Vacant | — |
| 4 | Denmark | 80.52 |
| 5 | United Kingdom | 70.80 |
| 6 | Morocco | 70.75 |
| 7 | Chile | 70.63 |
| 8 | Luxembourg | 70.45 |
| 9 | Lithuania | 70.30 |
| 10 | Netherlands | 67.27 |
India in CCPI 2026
- India ranked 23rd.
- India’s score was 61.31.
- India fell 13 places from its earlier rank of 10th.
- Saudi Arabia ranked last at 67th position with a score of 11.9.
Climate Risk Index 2026
The Climate Risk Index is released by Germanwatch.
It measures the impact of climate-related extreme weather events on countries.
What Does CRI Measure?
The index ranks countries based on:
- fatalities
- people affected
- economic losses
- long-term exposure to climate disasters
The country most affected by climate-related disasters is ranked highest.
India in Climate Risk Index 2026
India ranked 9th among countries most affected by climate-related disasters over the last 30 years.
India’s Climate Vulnerability: 1995–2024
| Indicator | India’s Status |
| Rank | 9th most affected globally |
| Extreme weather events | 430 |
| Economic losses | $170 billion |
| Fatalities | 80,000 |
| Share of global deaths | 9.6% |
Top 10 Most Affected Countries
| Rank | Country |
| 1 | Dominica |
| 2 | Myanmar |
| 3 | Honduras |
| 4 | Libya |
| 5 | Haiti |
| 6 | Grenada |
| 7 | Philippines |
| 8 | Nicaragua |
| 9 | India |
| 10 | The Bahamas |
Significance for India
1. Environmental Governance Alert
India’s low EPI rank highlights the need to strengthen environmental regulation, pollution control and ecological conservation.
2. Climate Vulnerability Concern
India’s CRI ranking shows that the country remains highly vulnerable to floods, cyclones, heatwaves and extreme rainfall events.
3. Development-Environment Balance
India must pursue growth while reducing pollution, protecting forests and improving resource efficiency.
4. Global Climate Negotiations
These indices influence global perceptions of India’s environmental performance and climate commitments.
5. Policy Course Correction
They help identify areas needing improvement, such as air quality, biodiversity protection, waste management and emissions reduction.
Concerns and Limitations
1. Methodological Disputes
India has questioned EPI methodology, especially the use of assumptions and extrapolated indicators.
2. Wealth Bias
EPI scores are strongly correlated with country wealth, which may disadvantage developing countries with large populations and developmental needs.
3. Different Indices, Different Outcomes
India ranks poorly in EPI but performs relatively better in CCPI. This shows that indices measure different aspects of sustainability.
4. Data Quality Issues
Environmental data collection and reporting vary across countries, affecting comparability.
5. Limited Reflection of Equity
Indices may not fully capture principles such as Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and historical emissions.
Way Forward
1. Improve Air and Water Quality
India must strengthen pollution control, urban planning, clean fuel transition and river conservation.
2. Protect Biodiversity and Forests
Tree cover loss in key biodiversity areas must be reduced through stronger conservation and monitoring.
3. Accelerate Clean Energy Transition
Renewable energy, green hydrogen, electric mobility and energy efficiency should be scaled up.
4. Improve Climate Adaptation
India needs better disaster preparedness, climate-resilient infrastructure and early warning systems.
5. Strengthen Environmental Data Systems
Transparent, scientific and real-time environmental data can improve both policy and global reporting.
6. Engage with Global Index Makers
India should constructively engage with global ranking institutions to ensure fair methodology and accurate data.
7. Promote Sustainable Development
Environmental policy must integrate livelihood security, energy access and ecological protection.
Conclusion
The Environmental Performance Index 2026 places India near the bottom, raising concerns about environmental quality and sustainability. However, India’s performance must be understood with methodological debates, development challenges and climate equity concerns. The larger lesson is clear: India needs stronger environmental governance, credible data systems, faster clean energy transition and climate-resilient development. Global rankings should not be treated as final judgments, but as tools for policy reflection and improvement.
UPSC PYQ
Q. Which of the following statements is not correct as per the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI)-2023?
(a) India has jumped 2 spots higher in CCPI-2023.
(b) India is placed at the 8th rank in CCPI-2023.
(c) India is amongst the top 5 best performing countries in the world on climate change.
(d) India is placed lower in rank in this index than Norway and United Kingdom.
Answer: (d)
Explanation
As per the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2023, India secured the 8th rank, improving by 2 places from its previous rank of 10th.
The top three ranks were kept vacant because no country performed well enough to receive a “very high” rating. Therefore, the actual leading countries started from Rank 4.
India, at 8th rank, was placed higher/better than Norway and the United Kingdom in the index. Hence, the statement that India was placed lower than Norway and the UK is not correc
CARE MCQ
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Environmental Performance Index 2026:
- It evaluates countries on environmental performance using multiple sustainability indicators.
- Estonia ranked first in the EPI 2026.
- India ranked 176th out of 177 countries.
- The index is released by Germanwatch.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation
Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct. EPI ranks countries on environmental performance, Estonia topped the 2026 index, and India ranked 176th out of 177 countries.
Statement 4 is incorrect because the EPI is developed by Yale and Columbia-linked institutions, not Germanwatch. Germanwatch releases the Climate Risk Index and is also associated with the Climate Change Performance Index.
FAQs
1. What is the Environmental Performance Index?
It is a biennial index that ranks countries based on environmental performance.
2. Who releases the EPI?
It is developed by Yale and Columbia-linked institutions.
3. How many countries were assessed in EPI 2026?
177 countries.
4. Which country topped EPI 2026?
Estonia.
5. What was India’s rank in EPI 2026?
India ranked 176th out of 177 countries.
