Why In News?

India secured the 176th position out of 177 countries in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026, reflecting the need for reform in ecological governance. 

What is the Environmental Performance Index (EPI)?

The EPI is a biennial, data-driven global scorecard that evaluates and ranks nations based on their environmental protection efforts.

It identifies countries that successfully protect human health and natural ecosystems while tracking progress toward global targets like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement.

The Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy and Columbia University’s Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) jointly develop the index.

Methodology and Parameters

  • Coverage: The 2026 EPI evaluates 177 countries using 47 specific environmental indicators across 12 issue categories.

  • Grassland Inclusion: Introduces grassland conversion as a key indicator for the first time in 2026 due to its role in carbon sequestration.

  • Environmental Health (25% weight): Tracks impacts on human life, including air quality (PM2.5 levels), safe drinking water, and sanitation. India ranks 174th in this category.

  • Ecosystem Vitality (45% weight): Measures natural resource management, including biodiversity protection, tree cover loss, marine habitat safety, and pesticide use. India ranks 171st here.

  • Climate Change (30% weight): Evaluates mitigation of global warming by tracking carbon dioxide and methane greenhouse gas (GHG) emission trends. India ranks 130th in this parameter.

Key Findings

  • Top 5 Countries: Estonia, Luxembourg, United Kingdom, Denmark and Finland.

  • India's Rank: 176th out of 177 countries with an overall EPI score of 22.46, ranking 8th (last) in South Asia.  

  • Lowest Ranked Country: Laos (177th).

Reasons for India's Low Ranking

  • High air pollution and PM₂.₅ exposure.
  • Continued dependence on coal-based electricity.
  • Tree cover loss and biodiversity conservation challenges.
  • High pesticide pollution risk.
  • Weak performance in marine and ocean conservation.

India’s Concerns and Criticisms

Methodological Rejection: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) rejects the index, citing "unfounded assumptions" and "unscientific methods."

Historical Context: The index ignores India’s low historical carbon emissions compared to Western nations, focusing solely on current environmental states.

Structural Constraints: The government argues that the index fails to capture the developmental realities and structural challenges of a large, diverse, and developing nation.

Source: INDIANEXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Environmental Performance Index (EPI):

1. It is published annually by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

2. In the EPI 2026, the 'Ecosystem Vitality' policy objective carries the highest weightage. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

A) 1 only 

B) 2 only 

C) Both 1 and 2 

D) Neither 1 nor 2 

Answer: B 

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is published biennially (every two years) by the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy and Columbia University's CIESIN, rather than annually by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).  

Statement 2 is correct: The framework assigns weights of 25% to Environmental Health, 30% to Climate Change, and 45% to Ecosystem Vitality, meaning Ecosystem Vitality carries the highest weightage in the EPI 2026 methodology.