Jordan ranks 3rd in region on Yale Environmental Performance Index

AMMAN — Jordan was ranked third in the Arab region on the 2022 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) developed by Yale University.

At the international level, Jordan ranked 81st, according to the index.

 Regionally, the UAE came in the first place, Djibouti took second place, Kuwait held fourth place and Bahrain was in fifth place in the EPI.

Denmark led the index at the international level, followed by the United Kingdom in second place, Finland in third place, Malata in fourth place, and Sweden in fifth place.

According to the index, the 2022 EPI provides a data-driven summary of the state of sustainability around the world. The EPI uses 40 performance indicators across 11 categories to rank 180 countries on climate change performance, environmental health, and ecosystem vitality, said the study.

The study provides a visible “scorecard” of climate policy leaders, and nations with room for improvement in order to encourage performance in environmental policy and promote nation’s aspirations for a more sustainable future.

In the air quality category, which measures the direct impacts of air pollution on human health in each country, Jordan ranked first at the Arab level and the 46th internationally. 

The category consists of seven indicators: PM2.5 exposure, household solid fuels, ozone exposure, nitrogen oxides exposure, sulfur dioxide exposure, carbon monoxide exposure, and volatile organic compound exposure.

In terms of recycling category, which measures proportion of recyclable materials (metal, plastic, paper, and glass) in each country, Jordan ranked 9th at the Arab level and 106 internationally.

Commenting on the report, President of Jordan Environment Union (JEU) Omar Shoshan told The Jordan Times that the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature played a key role in protecting Jordan’s ecosystems through the creation of nature reserves. 

“The ranking in this report is positive and good news,” Shoshan said.

“There is need for more efficient implementation and stronger efforts to face the climate change ramifications that have an impact on the economic and social fields in addition to the environment. We need an improved performance and stronger role from the Environment Ministry,” the JEU president said.