This year, Denmark, Estonia and the Philippines lead the behavior index on climate change, which has been drawn up by the Germanwatch organization based on the monitoring of progress in this matter in 63 countries and the EU, which together are responsible for more than 90 % of global emissions. Strictly speaking, the first three places in the ranking are declared empty, since no evaluated country has taken measures in line with the goal to stop warming at 1.5ºC. Spain, for its part, climbs five places compared to last year and is placed in 18th place, while five years ago it occupied the 35th position.
China, the largest emitter of CO2, remains in 51st place, while the US drops five places from last year (57th). And the host of the COP28, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and Saudi Arabia form the trio in the tailgate (places 65th to 67th).
The climate behavior index analyzes four categories of indicators (per capita greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energies, energy use efficiency and climate action policies).
India, the world's most populous country, ranks seventh in the ranking, mainly due to a low level of emissions and energy consumption per capita. It has recorded a positive expansion of renewable energies, but the country remains heavily dependent on coal.
China, the largest emitter, stagnates in 51st place among “low” performing countries. Despite the fact that the renewable energy sector is experiencing strong growth and improving energy efficiency measures, it is located among the nine countries responsible for 90% of the world's coal production and also plans to increase its gas production for the 2030
Regarding the United States (57th), experts welcome the Inflation Reduction law with great satisfaction, which generated significant investments in renewable energy. But they say that "more concrete implementation policies are needed in all sectors".
Germany (14th) and the EU (16th) score good or high overall, while Canada (62nd), Russia (63rd), South Korea (64th) and Saudi Arabia (67th) remain the worst performing countries of the G20.
Great Britain drops 11 places to 20th place, due to the policies of its new Government, which has increased fossil fuel extraction permits in the North Sea.
And Spain rises 5 positions, basically for having increased the goal of reducing emissions from 23% to 32% for the year 2030 compared to 1990, according to the review of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (Pniec). Josep Puig Boix, one of the energy experts who has acted as a consultant, says that the good development of renewables also has an impact.
However, if there is not a severe reduction in the demand for energy in transport, tourism and agriculture, it will be very difficult to achieve the new goal of reducing emissions for the year 2030". points out this expert, founder of the Group of Technical Scientists for a Non-Nuclear Future.
Brazil rises 15 places to 23rd place; as expected, the change in the presidency has had a positive impact. However, country experts point out that Brazil continues to expand its fossil fuel production and may not meet its climate goals.
The United Arab Emirates, hosts of the COP (65th), are at the bottom of the list. The country's performance is disappointing, in particular it has a deplorable balance due to its high emissions per capita (25.9 tons) and the low proportion of renewables.
Other oil-producing countries are also at the bottom, including Russia (63rd), Iran (66th), Saudi Arabia (67th) and Canada (62nd). "The index shows once again that the largest producers and exporters of fossil fuels get the worst results in the index," says Janet Milongo, director of the International Climate Action Network.
Saudi Arabia's per capita greenhouse gas emissions are steadily increasing, and the share of renewables in total primary energy supply is close to zero.
