The cleanest places in the world. Rating of countries by ecology. World Health Organization: ranking of the cleanest cities

People are beginning to value ecology more and more and take care of nature and the environment. There are even special movements that promote an environmentally friendly lifestyle. After all, the ecology and nature that surrounds us is the most valuable thing we have. If the environment is bad, it will directly affect our health. Yes, this is already having an effect. But our happiness depends on our health. It is difficult to experience happiness when you are a sick person. It’s not for nothing that Forbes magazine conducted its research and published a list of the 10 cleanest countries in the world. When compiling it, various factors were taken into account (there were 25 of them), including the quantity and purity of forests, water quality, the use of pesticides, the purity and quality of the atmosphere, and others.

Every person needs to pay attention to this list and strive to ensure that their country also begins to actively care about the environment. In general, the most important thing is simply not to pollute it. Then nature itself will cleanse itself. She has her own abilities and capabilities for this. The main thing is that it is not too late. The least we can do is start living an eco-friendly lifestyle.

You can also look at this list as potential travel destinations, or maybe even better, as a place where you will live permanently.

The cleanest countries in the world (Top 10)

1. Switzerland

The cleanest country in the world is Switzerland. This title was given to her by Forbes magazine. Out of 100 possible points, she scored 95.5. This small alpine country, home to just over seven and a half million people, has all the necessary conditions to live a long and happy life. The cleanliness of Switzerland's ecology is due not only to the fact that it is located in the Alpine mountains and that 30 percent of its area is forests, but also to the fact that there are no large factories and plants that cause serious harm to the environment. In addition to being the cleanest country, Switzerland is also the richest country in the world. Its wealth is due to the presence of the most reliable banks. That is, we can say that Switzerland is an ideal place to live both in terms of purity and wealth. The internal culture of behavior of the Swiss is also indicative. For example, despite the fact that every family has its own car, if they need to travel short distances, they use bicycles for this. Thus, every resident of Switzerland also fights for the purity of the atmosphere of their country.

2. Sweden

It is in this country, according to scientists, that air pollution rates are the lowest, water is practically the cleanest, since it is mainly obtained from natural sources, and there is also a very low level of greenhouse gas emissions (significantly below the permissible level). The most important natural wealth of Sweden is its forests, which local residents take special care of, as well as nature in general. Interestingly, forests occupy 63% of Sweden's territory, and the terrain of this country is very changeable - from forests to the Scandinavian mountains.

3. Norway

Norway neighbors Sweden and in many ways the environmental situations in these two countries are the same. Only because of its oil industry, which releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, this country could not take an honorable second place in the list of the cleanest countries. Norway is located in the very center of the Scandinavian mountains, among fading and already extinct volcanoes, has a harsh climate and has a very highly developed industry. 90% of it is provided by electricity generated by hydroelectric power plants. Norway can boast to many countries of its excellent quality of water, air, and sanitation (wastewater treatment is carried out very effectively). Norwegians suffer least from respiratory diseases.

4. Costa Rica

This eco-friendly country connects South and North America. Its purity is due to the huge number of forests, as well as the country’s government’s concern for minimizing carbon emissions into the air. Costa Rica's economy is based on ecotourism, which is why it shows such serious attention to caring for nature. This country avoids deforestation and out of 100 possible points in the field of forestry and air cleanliness, it scored 97 points. The situation with the marine environment is somewhat worse here.

5. Colombia

The country is famous for its high level of life expectancy (on average -75 years), as well as for its fertile lands, the quality of which it carefully protects. The main type of business in Colombia is very environmentally friendly - growing flowers and coffee.

6. New Zealand

A very clean and beautiful country. It ranked sixth on the list because it pays careful attention to the protection of coastal waters and the richness of the surrounding environment, and also because a tax on carbon emitted into the air has been introduced at the state level. It is far ahead of other countries in the region in terms of cleanliness index due to the quality of air and water. The New Zealand government strives to bring its state to 1st place in the near future and become the cleanest country in the world. New Zealand is a sparsely populated country, and for tourists who love silence and less densely populated places, this place will seem like paradise.

7. Japan

This country cannot be ignored because the life expectancy of the Japanese is very high - an average of 82 years. Japan achieved seventh place in the list of cleanest countries mainly due to its ideal sanitary infrastructure, water purification technologies, and not just because of data on the purity of nature. Although the condition of the forests here is assessed very highly, the condition of the water is very poor. Coastal fish stocks are severely depleted, reducing marine biodiversity.

8. Croatia

Famous for its clean beaches and shores. They are the ones who raise Croatia to 8th place in our ranking. And this despite the fact that the authorities and local residents are doing an unsatisfactory job in caring for the nature of their country. Croatia's socialist past affects the pollution of nature - the industry produced in those years continues to serve as a source of greenhouse gases.

9. Albania

There is very little industry in this country, and hence very little emissions into the air. It is not the industrialization of Albania that puts it in 9th place on the list of cleanest countries. The indoor air pollution index had a serious impact on the overall rating. According to this index, Albania was assigned 47.7 points due to the fact that stove heating is predominantly used in its territory.

10. Israel

Israel closes the top ten ecologically cleanest countries. He takes care of his forests and waters and maintains a high level of sanitation. On average, residents live here for 81 years. The country's problem is the use of pesticides, which undoubtedly affect the state of food supply.

These are the environmentally cleanest countries that occupy the top 10 and show other countries what, at a minimum, they should strive for.

Tourism is a double-edged sword. It makes an important contribution to the development of the world economy, while often causing damage to nature. Take Everest for example: the natural beauty and magnificence of the snow-capped peaks is slowly being devoured by thousands of plastic and aluminum cans, mountains of paper, glass, clothing and even tents. And as the number of people wanting to conquer Everest continues to grow, in the future there may be nothing left but a huge pile of rubbish.

Fortunately, there are still places on Earth that can surprise you with their untouched beauty, fresh air and wild nature.

Here top 10 greenest and most environmentally friendly places in the world, selected according to various environmental ratings, including data from WHO and the Russian organization Green Patrol.

10. Ferradura Park, Brazil

Drive a few kilometers from downtown Canela and you'll find 500 acres of pine forests, home to many wild capuchin monkeys, blue jays, and funny coatis.

The park is located at the top of a canyon that stretches 420 m, where the Santa Cruz River is outlined in the shape of a horseshoe. Because of this, Ferradura Park is also known as "Horseshoe Park".

Abundance of greenery, fresh air, and stunning views of the Arroyo Cazador waterfall are complemented by 4 hiking routes, 3 observation decks and infrastructure including 8 barbecue grills, a children's playground and a snack bar.

9. Val d'Orcia, Italy

Next on the list of the greenest areas on Earth is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the greenest and lushest places in Europe. This beautiful valley is located in central Italy in the Tuscany region and boasts endless, perfectly conical shaped hills covered in sunflowers. Such enchanting landscapes have attracted the attention of countless artists (since the Renaissance), as well as modern photographers, who have made this valley famous throughout the world.

The best time to visit Val d'Orcia is from November to June, when there are not many tourists and you can admire the vineyards for the famous Brunello wines, and groves of green olive trees adjacent to kilometers of golden wheat fields.

8. Gorenjska region, Slovenia

The rural part of this region is without a doubt the greenest and cleanest part of the entire country. The Gorenjska region is home to the stunning Julian Alps, which stretch from Italy to Slovenia.

The highest peak of the mountain range is Mount Triglav - also known as the Three-Headed Mountain. She is depicted on both the flag and coat of arms of Slovenia. According to legend, on the top of the mountain lived the goat Zlatorog, whose horns were made of pure gold.

The surroundings of Triglav, like the mountain itself, are part of the only
National Park.

7. Shetland Islands, Scotland

Secluded and pristinely beautiful, the Shetland Islands are perhaps the greenest part of the UK.

In total, the Shetland archipelago has about 300 islands, of which only 16 are inhabited. It is not surprising that the air there is clean and fresh, and the nature is almost unspoilt by the human factor.

A preferred ecotourism destination is the Hermaness National Nature Reserve on the Isle of Unst. The beautiful coastal scenery is complemented by the sight of many birds nesting on the sea cliffs and seals that can easily be mistaken for rocks until they start jumping into the water. In total, the reserve is home to more than one hundred thousand species of various birds.

And when you get tired of watching the bird world, you can visit the boat museum or Muness Castle - one of the most fortified castles in Scotland.

If you want to visit one of the islands, keep in mind that even in summer it is not particularly hot there - the temperature rarely rises above 21 degrees.

6. County Kerry, Ireland

Ireland is one of the greenest countries in the world, and the county is its greenest place. Frequent precipitation and a warm oceanic climate contribute to this.

Majestic mountain peaks, mist-covered moors, golden fields, moorland, rugged sea cliffs and secluded coves - County Kerry has it all. Visit this paradise of the country of St. Patrick and the leprechauns if you want to enjoy all the beauty of nature (and at the same time visit the famous Irish pubs), away from the smog and city noise.

It's home to some of the country's best National Parks, including Killarney National Park, where visitors marvel at areas of wild woodland, home to foxes and deer, green hills, lakes, a waterfall and easy-to-navigate trails.

5. Tambov region, Russia

In 2018, this area became the leader of the environmental rating compiled by the Green Patrol organization.

So if you miss picturesque nature, fresh air and environmentally friendly products, then you can get all this without leaving Russia. For example, visiting the tourist complex “Russian Village”, located on the right bank of the Vorona River, where two zonal features are combined: steppes and northern forests. Holidaymakers can enjoy horseback riding, fishing and hunting.

4. Altai, Russia

The most environmentally friendly region of Russia. The “green pharmacy” of the country, a place designed by Mother Nature herself for a relaxing holiday and escape from urbanization. And the second place in terms of purity of nature in the Green Patrol rating of 2018.

One of the most beautiful places in Altai is the Katunsky Nature Reserve, which has biosphere status. This is a specially protected area created to study and preserve the unique natural environment and ecosystems. On its territory there are a large number of lakes, glaciers, about 700 species of plants and 47 species of mammals. It is not very easy to get there, which is an additional protection of the reserve from crowds of tourists.

3. San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Clean air, high altitude and proximity to the driest desert in the world make this Chilean village one of the most environmentally friendly places on Earth. There is no noise pollution or harmful industries that poison the water and air.

San Pedro de Atacama cannot boast of a large number of attractions. The main one is the white church of San Pedro, built in the 17th century. To the west of the village is the picturesque Moon Valley. And not far to the south is one of the oldest Chilean archaeological sites - the settlement of Tulor.

2. Te Anau, New Zealand

Testing carried out by specialists from the World Health Organization showed that this is the most environmentally friendly city in the world.

Te Anau's location at the entrance to Fiordland National Park and its proximity to two of the country's most beautiful fjords (Milford Sound and Doubtfall Sound) makes it a base camp for backpackers.

The best time to visit one is March or autumn, when the weather is mild and there are not as many tourists as in summer.

1. Lapland, Finland

The most environmentally friendly place in the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The average content of microdust particles in this region does not exceed 6 micrograms per cubic meter - this is the lowest in the world.

And while you're breathing in the fresh air, you can also admire the magnificent view of the Northern Lights or go skiing. Or combine all these things at once.

Other places in Finland also do not suffer in terms of ecology. It is not for nothing that it is called the “country of a thousand lakes”, and the water in many lakes is so pure that it can be used for drinking and cooking, even without additional treatment. For example, the huge Lake Päijänne supplies Helsinki with water, entering the city through a 120-kilometer tunnel cut into the granite rock mass. Drinking water straight from the tap is a source of national pride for Finns and the envy of residents of other, less environmentally friendly countries.

Why is it very important for a city to be green, i.e. environmentally friendly? The sustainability of energy resources is important for the survival of our future generations.
The green movement is the only solution for a brighter tomorrow. There are many cities around the world that are dedicating large areas to green space and environmental projects, introducing renewable energy, promoting cycling or walking, and actively participating in recycling.
I present to your attention a selection of the 10 greenest cities in the world.

Oslo, Norway

The Norwegian capital Oslo is surrounded by forested hills and lakes. Out of 454 square kilometers of total area, 242 square kilometers of this green city area is covered with dense forest. In fact, more than two-thirds of the city of Oslo are protected natural areas. Stricter environmental legislation in the city aims to preserve natural resources and natural beauty. Within Oslo there are a large number of parks, open areas and 343 lakes. The city government has a mission to make Oslo hydrocarbon neutral by 2020. Producing biogas from organic waste and sewage only confirms how close Oslo has come to this goal. Oslo also has over 700 public charging stations for electric vehicles. Electric taxis and buses will be introduced in the coming years.

Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is one of the greenest cities in Europe. This city is made up of more than 310 islands, some of which are famous for their picturesque sandy beaches. The government plans to build coastal parks to generate wind energy, designed to fully provide the city with electricity. Local residents are completely satisfied with Helsinki's air quality, but the use of renewable energy could improve air quality to new heights. The city's main environmental principles are aimed at protecting its natural environment and natural resources. Helsinki is also known for its high recycling rate. This not only reduces pollution, but also replenishes the city's energy needs. In the field of transport, citizens most often choose cycling or walking.

San Francisco, USA

High recycling rates are a major reason for San Francisco's rise to the list of the world's greenest cities. The city government has a mission to make the city waste-free by 2020. Non-biodegradable plastic bags have been banned in the city since 2007. Effective environmental programs and policies in San Francisco actively encourage the use of renewable energy. In the near future, the city relies primarily on renewable energy sources, including solar energy, wind energy, biofuels and other sources. In this way, the city can become even greener and healthier than before. San Francisco also has a number of programs to encourage communities to use bicycles and electric vehicles. All these measures not only help you save money, but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

London, England

It is quite difficult to maintain green areas in a large city. Surprisingly, half of London is covered in greenery and covers 14,164 hectares of green space, including parks, wildlife habitats, nature reserves and gardens. These green spaces guarantee better biodiversity, no flooding, less pollution and better air quality. Kent Wind Farm in South East England is the largest offshore wind farm in the world, supplying electricity to the UK capital. This large wind farm produces enough energy to power 25% of all London homes. This renewable energy project also significantly reduces the city's carbon emissions. Actively promoting renewable energy and new green projects will make the city completely green by the next decade. You can also see hundreds of hybrid buses on the streets of London. In the coming years, even more of these buses will begin to operate around the city.

Reykjavik, Iceland

The Icelandic capital city of Reykjavik has the largest geothermal heating system in the world. In total, there are 30 active volcanoes in the country, the energy of which is used for heating. Icelanders rely mainly on hydrothermal energy rather than fossil fuels. In fact, 100 percent of Reykjavík's electricity needs are met by hydrogeothermal energy sources. The city's high availability of geothermal energy also satisfies the hot water needs of most residents. Using these renewable energy sources saves the city from excessive carbon emissions, making it completely green.

Curitiba, Brazil

Vancouver, Canada

The coastal city of Vancouver is one of the greenest cities in the world. Renewable hydroelectric energy supplies 93% of the city's electrical requirements. Vancouver will continue to introduce more renewable energy sources to reduce its carbon footprint to its lowest levels. The city government and residents have an ambitious vision to make Vancouver the greenest city in the world by 2020. They also formed an effective team called GCAT to achieve their mission faster. This mission also offers thousands of green business jobs. By 2020, they aim to plant more trees, improve air and water quality, promote local food production and increase recycling in the city. Nowadays, the city government is rapidly expanding Vancouver's cycling infrastructure. The number of electric vehicles and charging stations in the city is also increasing year after year.

Stockholm, Sweden

The picturesque city of Stockholm is dedicated to green living and cleanliness. Stockholm covers an area of ​​6519 square kilometers, one third of which is green area. The city has 12 large parks, and residents receive maximum support from the city government to develop green space on their land. Stockholm was also the first city to receive European Green Capital status in 2010. This Scandinavian city is also famous for recycling waste and converting it into biogas. The government is focusing on increasing biogas production in the next few years to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Stockholm officials want to make city biofuel free by 2050. According to reports, the city has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 25% since 1990. The green city offers its residents and visitors eco-friendly urban transport and well-maintained cycling infrastructure. You can rent a city bike from hundreds of bike stations throughout Stockholm.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Bicycles have been an integral part of the culture of the city of Amsterdam for many decades. This is the most common way of moving in the city, whose infrastructure combines networks of canals and narrow streets. An extensive network of cycling and pedestrian roads covers the whole of Amsterdam. In fact, there are more bicycles in cities than there are residents. On the streets of Amsterdam you can often find electric cars, which can be charged at any of the 300 stations in the city. The Netherlands is also included in the list of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world.


In 2009, the Amsterdam city government launched a special project called “Smart City”. The main goal of this project is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and conserve energy. To achieve this goal, authorities encourage recycling, installation of solar panels, use of electric vehicles, and travel by bus and bicycle. Most city residents rely on solar panels and small wind generators for energy. Most households are also equipped with an energy-saving system to save energy.

Copenhagen, Denmark

The Danish capital Copenhagen is considered one of the greenest and most cyclist-friendly cities in the world. The population of Copenhagen is 569,557 inhabitants. 50 percent of them prefer bicycles to cars. This is the most important form of transport in Copenhagen. As a result of the Danes' love of cycling, the city has very low carbon emissions. Biking and walking tours are the best way to explore this beautiful city. The city is trying to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2025. The Danes are also known for recycling and composting. This reduces energy consumption and environmental pollution. Copenhagen is focused on increasing the number of offshore wind turbines to reduce its use of oil and gas.


The Danes are building energy-efficient buildings to promote the concept of an eco-friendly city. These projects minimize energy losses in the heating and lighting process. The government is promoting the installation of advanced heating systems, new windows, solar panels and insulation in buildings. Copenhagen is also aiming to increase its use of biogas in the coming years, moving away from fossil fuels. It's no surprise that tourists can find plenty of green hotels in Copenhagen. More than 71 percent of hotel rooms in the city are labeled as environmentally friendly.

Hello, dear readers of the investment and educational blog!

Today’s topic does not quite fit into its general theme, but again it is very vital, one might even say vitally important, and will be devoted to the rating the most environmentally friendly countries in the world.

I decided to collect information and write this article after watching one of the many television programs about human existence and the life of the Universe. Usually, when you receive such information, you begin to think about the meaning and way of life...

Everything in life has its end and sooner or later our entire solar system will come to an end, the only good thing is that according to scientists this can happen in about 4.5 billion years, but what will happen to our planet during this time? If the environment is already damaged not for the better and people stubbornly continue to pollute it, there is nowhere to put the garbage, cities are choking from exhaust gases and industry... Of course, if projects like this begin to develop rapidly, then the situation may change for the better, but for now we live and breathe every other time)).

In general, it seems to me that information about the most environmentally friendly countries in the world will be of interest to everyone, even for educational purposes, and maybe even someone will consider some environmentally friendly country for permanent residence, and why not? Everyone wants to live long and not get sick, but poor ecology completely prevents the fulfillment of this desire.

Without excellent health and in a dirty environment, life is not so interesting, not to mention the desire to move forward and something...

• So where else are there places on Earth where you can enjoy clean air and water?

• Where is the largest number of forests by area?

• Where do people love and protect the cleanliness of their country and other benefits that contribute to the preservation of a clean environment?

When I started to select information for this article, I studied some materials on the Internet, the selections turned out to be slightly different from each other, both in the list and in age. The latest data on the most environmentally friendly countries is available only for 2012; statistics for 2013 have not yet been compiled :)

This ranking of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world was compiled by scientists from US universities and a total of 132 countries are included in the ranking:

I didn’t leave out five or ten countries, but compiled the entire long list so that you could get complete information on the ecology of the entire planet; only for beauty and ease of reading, I diluted the rating with beautiful pictures...

	1. Switzerland
	2. Latvia
	3. Norway
	4. Luxembourg
	5. Costa Rica
	6. France
	7. Austria
	8. Italy
	9. UK
	10. Sweden
	11. Germany
	12. Slovakia
	13. Iceland
	14. New Zealand
	15. Albania
	16. Netherlands
	17. Lithuania
	18. Czech Republic
	19. Finland
	20. Croatia
	21. Denmark
	22. Poland
	23. Japan
	24. Belgium
	25. Malaysia
	26. Brunei Darussalam
	27. Colombia
	28. Slovenia
	29. Taiwan
	30. Brazil
	31. Ecuador
	32. Spain
	33. Greece
	34. Thailand
	35. Nicaragua
	36. Ireland
	37. Canada
	38. Nepal
	39. Panama
	40. Gabon
	41. Portugal
	42. Philippines
	43. South Korea
	44. Cyprus
	45. Hungary
	46. ​​Uruguay
	47. Georgia
	48. Australia
	49. USA
	50. Argentina
	51. Cuba
	52. Singapore
	53. Bulgaria
	54. Estonia
	55. Sri Lanka
	56. Venezuela
	57. Zambia
	58. Chile
	59. Cambodia
	60. Egypt
	61. Israel
	62. Bolivia
	63. Jamaica
	64. Tanzania
	65. Belarus
	66. Botswana
	67. Ivory Coast
	68. Zimbabwe
	69. Myanmar
	70. Ethiopia
	71. Honduras
	72. Dominican Republic
	73. Paraguay
	74. Indonesia
	75. El Salvador
	76. Guatemala
	77. UAE
	78. Namibia
	79. Vietnam
	80. Benin
	81. Peru
	82. Saudi Arabia
	83. Kenya
	84. Mexico
	85. Togo
	86. Algeria
	87. Malta
	88. Romania
	89. Mozambique
	90. Angola
	91. Ghana
	92. Democratic Republic of the Congo
	93. Armenia
	94. Lebanon
	95. Congo
	96. Trinidad and Tobago
	97. Macedonia
	98. Senegal
	99. Tunisia
	100. Qatar
	101. Kyrgyzstan
	102. Ukraine
	103. Serbia
	104. Sudan
	105. Morocco
	106. Russia
	107. Mongolia
	108. Moldova
	109. Türkiye
	110. Oman
	111. Azerbaijan
	112. Cameroon
	113. Syria
	114. Iran
	115. Bangladesh
	116. China
	117. Jordan
	118. Haiti
	119. Nigeria
	120. Pakistan
	121. Tajikistan
	122. Eritrea
	123. Libya
	124. Bosnia and Herzegovina
	125. India
	126. Kuwait
	127. Yemen
	128. South Africa
	129. Kazakhstan
	130. Uzbekistan
	131. Turkmenistan
	132. Iraq

Russia is in 106th place: roll:, yes, this is not at all a joyful achievement.

Switzerland takes first place, and this cannot be called a surprise; this country has long been famous for its environmental situation and its attitude towards maintaining it.

And at the end of the list, we no longer see the most environmentally friendly countries in the world, but rather the most unclean, it is they who have the most unfavorable parameter - the attitude of people towards cleanliness; indeed, these nationalities cannot boast of cleanliness.

But what a surprising country is Qatar... only 100th place despite the fact that, on the one hand, it is clear that this is not a green forest belt, moreover, one of the leaders in oil production, but with their money they could compete for the environment .

This is some interesting information. Maybe it will be useful to you when you plan trips to a particular country or when choosing a country to live and enjoy or, for example, study, etc. View the ranking of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world and make your choice.

In addition, among all these there are countries that are not only environmentally friendly, but also which will also be a plus for your country.

That's all for today, good luck.

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Garbage and dirt are an indicator of the lack of effective environmental policy of the state. Developed countries carefully ensure that cities are clean and waste is recycled at special enterprises. Enterprises were moved to developing countries, and local factories were necessarily equipped with protective filters.

International organizations annually monitor the states of the planet in order to identify the level of pollution of soil, water, and air. Let's talk about how the final score is calculated, consider the countries with the cleanest ecology in the world.

What is an “environmental performance index”?

Environmental Performance Index is an environmental performance index that was developed by scientists from two American universities:

• Yale (Center for Law and Environmental Policy);
• Colombian.

The first analysis was done for the World Economic Forum. The main direction of research is the study of economic processes. Environmental safety implies the allocation of significant funds to control pollution levels and wise use of natural resources. The final report is published by many rating publications, including Forbes magazine. Information is also available to the expert group.

Global Eco-Performance Map 2019

The first global analysis was carried out in 2006, and the research methodology has changed over time. Each country, having received the result, can compare the data according to the factors, evaluate its own successes and compare failures with neighboring countries.

Evaluation factors in the rating

This global study is conducted using a special methodology. The score is based on findings from 10 categories of research:

1. environmental health of the population;
2. air condition;
3. changing of the climate;
4. Agriculture;
5. state of water resources;
6. forest (condition, change in area);
7. the impact of air pollution on public health;
8. access and quality of drinking water;
9. care for biodiversity;
10. exploitation of fisheries resources.

A country is rated based on two groups of criteria: ecosystem vitality and environmental health.

A total of 22 indicators are studied, and an index is calculated proportionally for each. The higher the final score, the better the state takes care of citizens and the environment.

Let's give an example of a calculation. When assessing the environmental health of a population, data on infant mortality is requested. This parameter is one of five included in the “Ecological Health” group. The overall score in it will give 30% of the final rating. The second group is called “Ecosystem Viability” and contains seventeen more parameters. It affects 70% of the score.

The most environmentally friendly countries in Europe

Europe is an exemplary region where large amounts of money are allocated for environmental safety and a lot is being done for public health. However, problems in this area are also noted here. We present a table of the most environmentally friendly European countries.

The main environmental problems in Russia are air and inland water pollution and deforestation.

The Russian Federation is not the leader of the list; it takes 52nd place with an index of 63.79.

Which country has the cleanest air?

Residents of industrial cities every day inhale air containing hazardous particles, which negatively affects public health. Main causes of air pollution:

• the growth in the number of cars and the lack of environmentally friendly electric transport in cities;
• emissions from industrial enterprises;
• lack of control by supervisory authorities.

Let's take a closer look at the findings of the Center for Environmental Policy and Law at Yale University and find out which country has the cleanest air.

Barbados is one of the countries with the cleanest air in 2019

A comprehensive study consists of indicators. One of them is air quality. The top five countries where you can breathe freely and easily include the following countries (the air quality indicator score is indicated in parentheses):

1. Australia and Barbados (100.00 each);
2. Jordan (99.61);
3. Canada (99.28);
4. Denmark (99.16);
5. Finland (99.00).

Air pollution in these countries is minimal. The top spot in this category is occupied by two countries, Barbados and Australia. However, in addition to clean air, other categories are subject to study. Let's find out which country is the cleanest in the world.

TOP 10 states with the best ecology

Only rich and economically developed states can afford to pursue an environmental safety policy at the highest level. Below are the territories included in the top 10 cleanest countries in the world for 2019.

It is noteworthy that in terms of air quality, Switzerland, a country of alpine meadows and mountains, occupies only 25th place in the list, but in terms of overall indicators it is ahead of all countries in the world. This is the cleanest country for 2019.

Switzerland is the cleanest country

The vitality of the Swiss ecosystem is at a high level: agriculture does not burden the soil, forests remain untouched, and fishing and hunting are strictly controlled by the government. Attention is paid to public health, the infant mortality rate decreased by 2.6% compared to last year.

France has an effective environmental policy

France is limited in the amount of natural clean water; energy development has a negative impact on atmospheric emissions and environmental pollution. The government strictly controls the industry, trying to prevent consequences.

Danish cities are free of waste. In terms of air quality, the country ranks 5th in the study. Denmark has developed metalworking, radio-electronic engineering, and the chemical industry. Harmful emissions are compensated by a developed system of environmentally friendly public transport in cities. Citizens use bicycles everywhere.

Copenhagen is the most cycling capital in Europe

Denmark is the most expensive country in Europe. Taxes and prices are high here. Industrial production is gradually moving to the western part of the country, making life easier for residents of the capital.

The population of Malta does not exceed 500 thousand people. The small territory, located between Europe and Africa, is suffering from an influx of migrants. However, the government continues to pursue an effective policy in the field of environmental protection.

Malta has no developed industry

Industry is not developed on the islands; the main income comes from tourism. Vacationers note the high quality of services, cleanliness, and well-developed communications and return to Malta again. Drinking water here is better than in any other corner of the planet.

Environmental protection is an important task for the government of the industrialized Kingdom. Over the past 10 years, the number of enterprises in the field of information technology has increased. Life in Swedish cities is measured, calm, and the streets are clean.

Sweden is gradually switching to alternative energy sources

In advanced European countries, the transport system is characterized by a search for environmentally friendly approaches. Preference is given to biofuels. In Sweden it is made from garbage. Electric cars are in demand, displacing gasoline-powered vehicles.

Densely populated Britain is experiencing problems associated with environmental pollution. This requires significant efforts from the authorities in the fight for clean air and water. Drinking water for the population has the highest quality standard.

Wind turbines produce a third of Britain's electricity consumption

Great Britain is experiencing difficulties in the field of forestry, and control over fishing is insufficient. The impact of electricity generation processes on air quality has been noted.

Luxembourg is landlocked and does not deal with water safety. In 2018, the country worsened its position in the ranking. There is a lack of forests, and air quality has decreased significantly. The state occupies high positions in the cleanliness rating due to the fact that the basis of the economy is the service sector.

The basis of the Luxembourg economy is the service sector

Luxembourg has a developed banking network; large companies have offices here. Oil and gas are imported.

The chemical, textile, and oil industries are well developed in Austria. 9 federal states are involved in nature conservation issues, depending on the situation in each of them. Arable lands, the construction sector, and highways occupy no more than 15% of the territory in Austria. The problem is the depletion of forest resources in the foothills of the Alps.

Ecology in Austria is one of the leading policy areas

The state controls arable land and meadows allocated for livestock farms. It is impossible to expand the area without the approval of the commission.

Ireland's problems are pollution of coastal waters, lack of forests. The state produces medical equipment, medicines, computers and components, and mechanical engineering. Livestock farming is developed.

The Irish government controls fishing

The state controls the fishing of trout and salmon; you cannot engage in activities without a license. In order to solve the problem of poaching and marine pollution, a fisheries management program has been adopted.

The state is one of the five countries with high quality air and drinking water. The authorities are pursuing an effective environmental safety policy; monitoring in cities has shown that the level of heavy metals in the atmosphere is minimal.

Finland cares about preserving the wild animal population

Finland is an industrial state and ranks 1st in the world in paper production. 8% of the land is occupied by agricultural activities. In the city center there is a developed tram network, which has a beneficial effect on the environment. The main problem is the lack of forests.

conclusions

1. The environmental performance rating is compiled by the Center for Law and Environmental Policy at Yale University based on a study of 22 parameters.
2. Switzerland was named the cleanest country in Europe in 2018. Russia took 52nd place.
3. One of the indicators of environmental safety is clean air. According to studies, two countries took first place in this indicator - Barbados and Australia.
4. Switzerland was also recognized as the cleanest country in the world for 2019.