Environmental Performance Index
Also called: EPI · Topic: Environment and Sustainable Development · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranks countries on how well they protect the environment. It is published every two years by Yale and Columbia universities. It scores countries on three areas:
- climate change
- environmental health, such as air and water quality
- ecosystem vitality, such as forests and biodiversity
Example
India ranked 176 out of 180 countries in the 2024 EPI. India disputes the method. It objects to the heavy weight given to per capita emissions and projected 2050 emissions, which it says ignores its low historical emissions and its need to develop.
Don't confuse with
- SDG India Index: this is NITI Aayog's index. It ranks Indian states on progress towards all 17 Sustainable Development Goals, not just the environment.
Related concepts
- Natural capital
- Ecosystem services
- Total economic value
- Contingent valuation
- Hedonic pricing
- Payment for ecosystem services
- Green accounting
- Adjusted net savings
- Ecological footprint
- Earth Overshoot Day