Revealed: These Countries Are Leading the Way on Climate Change, 2024

As the world edges closer to the 1.5 degrees Celsius climate threshold, several countries are leading the way in preventing climate catastrophe. The 2024 Climate Change Performance Index is an annual global evaluation of climate protection efforts. It assesses the progress and policies of 63 countries across four categories, namely greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, energy use, and climate policy. Each country is rated on a 100-point scale, with emissions carrying the highest weight of 40% and the others at 20%. However, no country could perform strongly in all categories to achieve an overall high rating, as per the report. Furthermore, no country holds the top two positions in the renewable energy category. Here are the top countries in the 2024 Climate Change Performance Index.

Denmark has been ranked first in the Climate Change Performance Index for three consecutive years, as of 2024. The country has received high scores in the categories of greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy. Nevertheless, it has failed to obtain a “very high” rating, which is required to enter the top three rankings. Estonia, on the other hand, has achieved the second position by focusing on renewable energy. The country has exceeded its previous target of having a 40% renewable electricity mix in 2022 and aims to have 100% of its electricity produced from renewable sources by 2030. The Philippines (No. 3) has improved its ranking by six spots in the index compared to the previous year. The country has topped two categories, including greenhouse gas emissions and energy use. However, it has scored low in climate policy, and experts are worried about the potential environmental impact of future development in the country.

India, ranked at No. 4 and the world’s largest democracy and the most populous country, has the potential to play a crucial role in the fight against climate change. The country has already made significant progress with high ratings in emissions and energy use. However, experts recommend that India should take additional steps to reduce its dependence on gas and expand its use of renewable energy.

Meanwhile, The Netherlands ranked at No. 5, climbed five spots in the 2024 rankings and improved its performance in three out of four categories despite middling rankings in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The country is a leader in climate policy, though no country has a “high” rating in that category. The Netherlands has set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and to become climate-neutral by 2050. Morocco, ranked at No. 6, receives “high” ratings for greenhouse gas emissions and energy use. The country aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45.5% by 2030. Morocco’s agriculture sector, which accounts for a significant portion of the country’s economy, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Countries Leading the Way on Climate Change, 2024

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