The UK has surged to third place globally in the latest Environmental Performance Index (EPI), compiled by Yale University, after making strides in reducing pollution and protecting natural habitats. However, despite this improvement, experts warn that few countries are on track to meet their net-zero emissions commitments, highlighting the urgent need for further action.
Estonia tops the list for the second consecutive time, praised for its efforts in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and safeguarding biodiversity. The UK has risen from fifth place in 2024, with European nations dominating the top 20, except for Japan's 16th spot.
The EPI assesses 177 countries across 47 environmental indicators, including air and water quality, forest conservation, and climate change mitigation. While some nations have made significant progress in reducing pollution, others are struggling to meet their commitments to reduce net emissions by 2050. The report highlights that even with recent improvements, the world is rapidly approaching internationally agreed temperature thresholds.
Experts say public awareness and political will have driven progress on issues like air and water quality, but more needs to be done on climate change. "There's progress on some issues, but not enough on critical ones like climate change," notes Daniel Esty, an environmental policy expert at Yale.
The UK's improved ranking reflects positive steps taken in protecting biodiversity and reducing pollution, but challenges persist, including high losses of tree cover, bottom trawling, and excessive fertiliser use. The report stresses that the UK's position is relative to others, rather than a definitive measure of success.