Since the signing of the Paris Accord in 2015, where international governments reached an agreement with regards to combating climate change, national leaders are trying to improve their country’s ecological policies. On this journey, some of them have achieved remarkable results, bringing them to the top of the EPI (Environmental Performance Index) list of sustainable development countries. The results of this list are based on 24 indicators, such as air quality, water, biodiversity, amongst others and they focus on two main themes: environmental health and vitality of the ecosystem. On top of the list for 2018, namely the first 16 places, are occupied solely by Europe countries. They are:
1.Switzerland
Because of its rich natural resources, Switzerland tops the list for all nature lovers. This touristic advantage is precisely one of the reasons why both the government and the local population are concerned with the protection and sustainability of the environment.
Credit for the high ranking of this country is hidden behind the implementation of successful measures in many fields, most of which are air and water pollution, and climate and energy. Most of the energy used in Switzerland is obtained from hydroelectric power plants, and the remaining smaller part, from nuclear power plants. This greatly reduces CO2 emissions when producing energy itself. On the other hand, despite the fact that emissions of harmful air particles were almost the same as in neighboring European Union countries, the air quality in this country today is significantly higher. The reason for this is the introduction of measures controlling emissions from cars and industrial zones.
2.France
France’s intensive measures implemented to address food waste issues, promote healthy lifestyles and adopt eco-farming techniques, have helped bring the country to the top of the list. In this way, France has shown that improvements in agricultural production do not necessarily bring harm to ecological and social conditions. Of course, the shift from industrialization over the past decades has led to an improved state of the environment. Thus 30% of the energy currently used in France comes from renewable resources.
The public’s attention also attracted a proposal by the French government’s new regulation, which would prohibit merchants and clothing brands from throwing or burning items that were not sold. Instead, they would demand that unsold textiles and clothing be donated to recycling organizations or charities for reuse.
3. Denmark
The impeccable environmental state in Denmark is the result of the use of wind power and the culture of using bicycles as a primary means of transport. Denmarks capital alone, Copenhagen, has about 400 km of cycling trails, while almost 40% of the city’s population travels by bicycle.
One of the government’s goals is to solely use renewable energy to meet all of the country’s needs, and they hope to achieve this by 2050. Although it sounds ambitious, it is important to note that Denmark is the world leader in the development of new technologies in the field of wind power. Thus, in this country, almost 40% of the energy comes from wind turbines, and by 2020 the country’s government plans to increase this rate to 50%, which would significantly contribute to the set goals for 2050.
So called “green industries”in Denmark provide new jobs to a large number of people, resulting in high profits every year.
4. Malta
The concept of sustainable development in Malta, as a small country with unlimited natural resources, a growing economy and high population density, makes up the center of the economic, social and ecological development of this country.
In 2017, Malta, by switching from oil to natural gas, changed its primary energy source. Thus, today, as much as 70% of the energy used by this country is produced using renewable sources. In the future, this country is planning to continue to support decarbonisation by investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, mainly through the more extensive use of solar energy (photovoltaic and solar water heaters), heat pumps, biofuels, and recycling of waste.
5. Sweden
Most of the energy used in Sweden comes from renewable resources, such as heat and solar energy. At the same time, the government of this country is working on developing technologies that will enable the use of renewable energy sources to meet all their energy needs. Significant effects on the reduction of CO2 emissions in Sweden is due to so-called “passive houses” – residences with wooden frames and very thick walls, with the help of which they retain heat generated as a product of human activity, such as cooking, using devices or moving within the walls of the object. Furthermore, these facilities also have the possibility of recycling wastewater.
The Swedish city of Växjö carries the title of “the most green European city” and is an excellent place for eco-tourism. Växjö became the first city to set the goal to eliminate the use of fossil fuels by 2030, of course, with the mandatory promotion of cycling as an alternative means of transport.