The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026, jointly published by Yale and Columbia Universities, ranked 180 countries on 40+ environmental indicators covering Air Quality, Climate Change, Ecosystem Services, Biodiversity, Clean Water, and Heavy Metals. India's ranking reflects challenges in air pollution (among world's worst AQI levels in major cities) and biodiversity conservation, despite improvements in solar capacity (4th globally) and modest gains in forest cover. Nordic countries like Denmark, Luxembourg and Switzerland traditionally lead the EPI rankings.
Environment
Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026 Rankings Released — India's Standing and Key Environmental Challenges
Key Points
- The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026, jointly published by Yale and Columbia Universities, ranked 180 countries on 40+ environmental indicators covering Air Quality, Climate Change, Ecosystem Services, Biodiversity, Clean Water, and Heavy Metals
- India's ranking reflects challenges in air pollution (among world's worst AQI levels in major cities) and biodiversity conservation, despite improvements in solar capacity (4th globally) and modest gains in forest cover
- Nordic countries like Denmark, Luxembourg and Switzerland traditionally lead the EPI rankings
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• EPI 2026: jointly published by Yale + Columbia Universities; 180 countries; 40+ indicators • India: lower EPI rank due to air pollution challenges + biodiversity conservation gaps • India positives: 4th largest solar capacity globally; modest forest cover gains • EPI top performers: Denmark, Luxembourg, Switzerland (traditionally); India aims to improve
