The 2024 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) has been published, which provides a data-driven summary of the state of sustainability worldwide.
The EPI uses 58 performance indicators across 11 issue categories, ranking 180 countries on climate change performance, environmental health, and ecosystem vitality.
Against the backdrop of intensifying climate change and rising emissions, the 2024 edition introduces refined metrics to track countries’ progress at curbing their GHG emissions.
The new metrics score countries on their emissions reduction (or growth) rates and consider their proximity to the net-zero target.
New pilot indicators also score countries on their climate mitigation efforts in relation to their allocated shares of the remaining global carbon budget.
EPI indicators provide a way to spot problems, set targets, track trends, understand outcomes, and identify best policy practices.
Published by the Centre for Environmental Law and Policy at the University of Yale, US, the Greater Middle East region was allocated a median score of 43.2, which was the second lowest globally.
The UAE received the highest overall EPI score in the region (52.0), with Oman 0.1 points behind in second place. The country climbed 99 places, ranking 50th overall.
Meanwhile, Iraq was found to have “appalling performance” across most issue categories, with the lowest EPI score in the region (30.4).
Further, its heavy reliance on fossil fuels means it also has the worst levels of anthropogenic air pollution in the region.
For the full breakdown, head here.