The top eight countries doing their bit for the planet.
While so much attention is given to what more we can do to combat climate change (and rightly so!), Verve celebrates what is already being done.
1. Switzerland
The most environmentally friendly and greenest country in the world, Switzerland, achieves its status thanks to the way it’s led on hydroelectric power, solar energy, wind turbines and geothermal.
2. France
In their 2019 Energy and Climate Act, France gave themselves an ambitious aim of net zero emissions by 2050. In addition, they made it illegal for supermarkets to discard good quality, unsold produce, and they score particularly well on low air pollution too.
3. Denmark
With half of the electricity on Danish shores provided by solar and wind power and a very efficient policy on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), Denmark’s rating is boosted by extremely good air quality and rich biodiversity.
4. Malta
Biodiversity is also a big win for Malta, while water is as clean in the country as anywhere on the planet, due to excellent sanitation and resources. The country is further helped by great agritourism – local people hosting in rural areas.
5. Sweden
Another Scandinavian entry, Sweden has low CO2 emissions, and their utilisation of renewable energy sources mean they aim to be running at 100% sustainability by 2045.
6. United Kingdom
The UK ranks extremely highly on the purity of drinking water and general sanitation levels. In addition, its eco rating is boosted by the 9,000 wind turbines scattered around the coastline which allow for clean and sustainable energy.
7. Luxembourg
In 2005, the diminutive country set itself a target of lowering GHG emissions by more than half by 2030, with a goal of net zero by 2050. Scoring highly for water and biodiversity and habitat, Luxembourg is succeeding.
8. Austria
With 40% of the country’s money set aside for green projects and 19% of agricultural land now organically farmed, Austria is doing well in the environmental stakes. In fact, the latter figure puts them top of the EU charts.
