Germany has achieved its best result in almost a decade after climbing six places in the annual Climate Protection Index (CCPI). Despite progress from Germany, the first three places on the ranking remain vacant, indicating the urgency of climate action.
According to the index, none of the countries included are on the so-called “1,5 degree path”, a limit discussed by governments across the world as part of the Paris Climate Agreement, to help protect the climate from rising temperatures. Though Germany is not on track to achieve the 1,5 degree pathway, the country has significantly increased its commitments to the climate in the last year.
In 2020, Germany came 19th in the ranking, but has since risen six places to 13th overall. The ranking, which has been published since 2005, compares countries on the basis of their efforts to cut CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as their commitment to the 1,5 degree pathway.
This year’s CCPI was presented at the UN World Climate Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, highlighting the most-prepared countries, and the countries that need to do more to prevent global warming. Compared to other European nations, Germany scored less for renewable energy, but gained respectable scores when it came to greenhouse gas emissions.
The top countries on this year’s CCPI were Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Countries that were not so successful in the rankings included Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia and Iran. The EU as a whole placed 22nd, while China came around the middle in 37th place. The United States and Russia came in 55th and 56th respectively.
The CCPI's top ten countries for 2021 are:
For more information and the full rankings for 2021, see the CCPI website.