World's Greenest Countries 2009

With planet is getting hotter and issues related to environment are increasingly securing the news headlines, being green has become a big fashion statement. Being green is not only being Eco-friendly but also being just. Last month’s summit on climate change in Copenhagen, Denmark is a testimony of changing times. It was perhaps the first time in the history of mankind that political leaders from around the world (170 countries) gathered to discuss a non-political issue. It is another thing that the issue indeed turned into political one as the days unfolded.

With so much on the stake, governments worldwide are trying or at least pretending to come clean on the issue. Cutting on greenhouse emission, reducing the temperature of earth and adopting green technologies is new menu on the serve.

When there is so much buzz around being green, it is curious to know which countries are doing better than others. Following is the list of top 10 greenest countries according to a study conducted by Yale University on the basis of environmental performance index (EPI)--a weighting of carbon and sulfur emissions, water purity and conservation practices.

#1 Switzerland (Score 95.5)

Switzerland comprises a great diversity of landscapes and climates on a limited area of land. With a large number of lakes and mountains and a great degree of sincerity for sustainability and eco-friendliness, it is not a surprise to see it topping the table.

#2 Sweden (Score 93.1)

Cascading northern lights, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, glaciers, alpine meadows, forests, lakes, rolling countryside; Sweden has everything that needs to be called a paradise. It is the first country to introduce eco-tourism in the world.

#3 Norway (Score 93.1)

Living in Norway is like sleeping in the mother’s lap and visiting it is like visiting nature’s home. It is not without a reason that the slogan of Norway’s tourist board is ‘Powered by nature’. Steep cliffs plunge into deep blue fjords whilst waterfalls cascade down the mountainsides creating a landscape of sheer beauty.

#4 Finland (Score 91.4)

Finland is the country of thousands of lakes and islands. Finland is actively working towards mitigating climate change also on the national level. Under the government platform, the National Climate and Energy Strategy were compiled in November 2008. The strategy documents the central objectives and definitions of Finland's climate and energy policies until the year 2020. Also, visions until the year 2050 are included in the strategy.

#5 Costa Rica (Score 90.5)

Costa Rica which is also no. 1 on Happy Planet Index 2009 is at the 5th position in the list. It was also at the 3rd position in Global Peace (2008) and Quality of life (2005) indexes. A study on the climate of Costa Rica concluded that climate change could have a major impact on the environment of Costa Rica, upsetting delicate mountain cloud forests, and causing a decrease in plant and animal species in a region famous for its biodiversity. But Costa Rica has managed to save its Eco-system with a fair degree of success.

#6 Austria (Score 89.4)

#7 New Zealand (Score 88.9)

#8 Lativa (Score 88.8)

#9 Columbia (Score 88.3)

#10 France (Score 87.8)

How other major countries ranked in the Environmental Performance Index

Germany: 13th (joint with Slovenia)

UK: 15th

Spain: 30th

USA: 39th

Poland: 42nd