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THE ISSUE of cleanliness and a sustainable environment has become a serious concern for the world community. Each country has its own policies regarding environmental conservation.
To measure how effective each country’s policies are, a team of researchers from Yale University, Columbia University and the World Economic Forum created a measurement method called the Environmental Performance Index (EPI).
There are ten categories that are used as indicators, including air quality, water quality, forest conditions and biodiversity. The greater the EPI score obtained, the cleaner and more environmentally friendly the country is.
The measurements themselves are carried out every two years. Referring to the EPI report in 2022, the following are the 10 cleanest countries in the world:
1. Denmark
In two measurement periods, Denmark managed to rank first as the cleanest country in the world. The EPI score reached 77.9. The highest scores came from the level of free heavy metal pollution, free acid rain, and water management.
2. England
Being in second place, the EPI score is slightly different from Denmark, namely 77.7. The most significant points from this country come from the categories of sanitation and drinking water management, as well as biodiversity.
3. Finland
Not only is Finland the happiest country in the world, Finland also managed to be ranked 3rd as the cleanest country. Achieving an EPI score of 76.5, the highest contribution points came from the categories of sanitation and drinking water management and heavy metal pollution free levels.
4. Malta
This island nation in the Mediterranean is the fourth cleanest country in the world. Malta scores high in aspects of ecosystem assessment, climate change mitigation, acid rain mitigation, and sanitation and drinking water management.
5. Sweden
As the fifth cleanest country in the world, Sweden has a high level of clean air quality and good water management.
6. Luxembourg
Having an area of 2586 square km, Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries on the European continent. But make no mistake, this country with a constitutional monarchy is also one of the cleanest countries in the world. Ranked 6th, Luxembourg achieved high points in the aspects of air quality, sanitation and drinking water management, and biodiversity.
7. Slovenia
Slovenia is known as a country with high biodiversity. So it is not surprising that this country managed to get high points for this aspect in the EPI calculation. Apart from that, Slovenia is also praised in terms of water management and agriculture.
8. Austria
Apart from being one of the most popular winter holiday destinations, Austria is also the eighth cleanest country in the world. Clean air quality, sanitation and drinking water management, and agriculture made it into the top 10.
9. Switzerland
Switzerland has long been known for its pristine natural beauty. So it is not surprising that this country is one of the cleanest countries in the world. Achieving an EPI score of 65.9, Switzerland achieved high points in terms of sanitation and drinking water management, clean air quality and free metal pollution.
10. Iceland
Known for its beautiful natural landscapes and one of the best places to see the aurora borealis, Iceland is the tenth cleanest country in the world. Clean air quality, waste management, and sanitation and drinking water management are the three aspects contributing the highest points.
So, from the list of the 10 cleanest countries in the world above, which one do you most want to visit? [cosmopolitan Indonesia/photo special]
