The Green Future Index 2023

The Green Future Index 2023 is the third edition of the comparative ranking of 76 nations and territories on their ability to develop a sustainable, low-carbon future. It measures the degree to which their economies are pivoting toward clean energy, industry, agriculture, and society through investment in renewables, innovation, and green policy.

The overall rankings tab shows the performance of the examined economies relative to each other and aggregates scores generated across the following five pillars: Carbon emissions, Energy transition, Green society, Clean innovation, and Climate policy.

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Latest News

Stellantis to Continue Buying Tesla CO₂ Credits Despite EU Compliance Extension

By Sustainability ExpertApril 1

Amazon Launches Carbon Credit Service to Support Credible Climate Action

By Editor ESG LoreMarch 28

GreenLight Biosciences Secures Series C Funding to Scale RNA-Based Agricultural Solutions

By Industry NewsMarch 27

UK Launches First Global Standard for High-Integrity Nature Investments

By Staff WriterMarch 26

Driving ESG Compliance in the Philippines

With the focus on environmental, social and governance, a clearer understanding will help businesses align with global frameworks The venerated American economist Milton Friedman once said: “The business of business is business.” The only social...

Indonesian Nickel Mine Takes Green Steps As Environmental Concerns Mount

The company behind an industrial park in central Indonesia that is becoming a nickel production powerhouse says it is implementing measures to address growing environmental concerns over production of the commodity, a key component of...

Top 10: ESG Strategies from the World’s Largest Companies

As more companies are embracing ESG strategies, we take a look at the top 10 businesses from around the world that are leading by example ESG strategies enable businesses to navigate the shifting tides of...

Renewable energy regulatory landscape in Serbia: A closer look at the latest developments

The spring of 2023 brought significant regulatory changes in the renewable energy sector in Serbia. The Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources was amended, and several new bylaws were adopted, including the long-awaited...

How did Madeira become the EU’s poster child for renewable energy?

This natural paradise in the Atlantic Ocean expects to generate 50 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources in the coming years. 33% of electricity used on the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira in the...

ESG regulations have increased 155% in the last decade

New research has found that global ESG regulations have increased by 155% in the last 10 years as nations get serious about climate legislation, but the risk remains that companies will struggle to navigate the...

The technology that helps build on permafrost

Permafrost covers 65% of Russia’s land area. These areas are rich in natural resources and have highly developed infrastructure. Discover the technologies used to build and maintain facilities in permafrost. Special conditions: A city in...

Meet 2023’s Net Zero Leaders

To quote a famous frog, it’s not easy being green. To make significant progress on environmental change, companies can’t just focus on their own operations. They must consider how green their suppliers, shareholders, investors and...

Innovation Continues In The Solar Industry

The solar industry has come a long way since its inception, evolving from an experimental technology to an integral part of our daily lives that we take for granted. But, despite the long history and...

The ESG Phenomenon: Insurers Continue Quitting Net Zero Pact – Reports

A cluster of insurance firms, convened by the United Nations and which has operated since 2021, has seen a number of large businesses quit at a time when legal challenges to ESG agendas in the...

Renewable Energy Is Booming But Must Triple By 2030 To Meet Climate Targets

If the global community is to hit its net-zero goals, renewable energy capacity must triple by 2030. That’s the genesis behind the new partnership between the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Masdar, a clean...

‘Sustainability superpower’: Report predicts UK could unlock £70bn annual windfall by going ‘beyond net zero’

New reports from UKBCSD and National Grid detail how accelerated clean tech transition to drive massive long term economic benefits for the UK Accelerating efforts to move “beyond net zero” could deliver economic benefits to...

Australian Industry Releases Carbon Roadmap For Net Zero Future

Australia’s oil and gas industry has released a roadmap for a net zero emissions future, an official report revealed on Monday. The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) published the report that proposed creating...

The Climate Change Performance Index 2023: Results

Please find the results for 2023 as well as interactive maps and graphs on our CCPI webpage. Published annually since 2005, the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) is an independent monitoring tool for tracking the...

Almost half of world energy leaders claim a “green technology arms race” will inhibit renewables development

The World Energy Council has called on industry leaders to “humanise” energy to ensure fair global distribution. According to the World Energy Council’s (WEC) World Energy Pulse survey, 46% of leaders and decision-makers in the...

Waiting times for renewables projects risks derailing net-zero power grid vision

Around £200bn of renewables projects are facing waiting times of 15 years to come online, jeopardising plans to create a net-zero power grid by 2035. The BBC reported that some new solar and wind projects...

Varcoe: Big $60B hit for Alberta in a net-zero world if Canada phases out oil and gas by 2050, study finds

‘An accelerated phaseout introduces economic pain with no added environmental gain,’ Edward Greenspon pointed out in his preface to the report A new report examining the different paths to reach net-zero emissions indicates Canada isn’t...

Direct Lithium Extraction: A potential game changing technology

The implementation of Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technologies has the potential to significantly increase the supply of lithium from brine projects (much like shale did for oil), nearly doubling lithium production on higher recoveries and...

The 2023 Climate Risk Landscape

With worsening impacts of climate change affecting almost every human and natural system across the globe and the critical economic transition to a net-zero emissions future on its way, successful companies and communities will be...

Ecuador Strikes a Landmark Deal to Protect the Galápagos, and Save Cash

Ecuador announced a record-setting deal on Tuesday designed to reduce its debt burden and free up hundreds of millions of dollars to fund marine conservation around the Galápagos Islands, an archipelago of unique biodiversity that’s...

Emissions Prevention Guide: Helping Businesses Innovate and Scale Solutions to Net Zero

Last month, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), in partnership with Carbone4 and its Net Zero Initiative, released the Emission Prevention Guide: Helping Businesses Innovate and Scale Solutions to Achieve Net Zero. This...

Europe’s air quality status 2023

Air pollution is the largest environmental health risk in Europe, causing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases that lead to the loss of healthy years of life and, in the worst cases, to preventable deaths. This briefing...

Implementing Sustainable Practices in Manufacturing Through Industry 4.0 Technologies

Manufacturing companies are riding on the sustainability bandwagon and considering their moral duty. Manufacturing businesses are looking to adopt eco-friendly practices because of multiple reasons. The compliance standards are higher than ever, compelling manufacturers to...

An ActionAid study on the countries most vulnerable to climate disasters

An ActionAid study found that 93% of the countries most vulnerable to climate disasters are drowning in debt, preventing them from effectively responding to climate-related emergencies. Countries are forced to return funds to the World...

Microplastics penetrate not only through the placenta, but also into the brain

The particles easily cross the blood-brain barrier, increasing the risk of neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Scientists found this out in an experiment on mice that were given to eat polystyrene – after two hours,...

How climate change will affect the world’s largest economies

The researchers looked at four scenarios that assume temperature increases of 1°C, 1.9°C, 2.4°C and 4.1°C by the year 2100. For example, with a warming of 1.5°C in 2100, global economic damage is expected to...

NGO’s, scientists, and solution providers have delivered a whitepaper to members of the European Commission

Ahead of the EU’s Initiative to tackle microplastics unintentionally released into the environment, a collective of NGO’s, scientists, and solution providers have delivered a whitepaper to members of the European Commission. The whitepaper commends the...

‘Frightening’: record-busting heat and drought hit Europe in 2022

Continent set for further drought in 2023, scientists say, as unstoppable impacts of climate crisis mount. The climate crisis had “frightening” impacts in Europe last year, with heatwaves killing more than 20,000 people and drought...

This startup can give EVs a full charge in 10 minutes

On a sunny Thursday morning in San Francisco, a driver pulled a Nissan Leaf into a building, parked on a platform, and stepped out of the car. Then the platform lifted the car in the...

Thirsty ChatGPT: Microsoft, OpenAI’s GPT-3 training consumes 185,000 gallons of water

The environmental impact of artificial intelligence (AI) training has come under scrutiny in a new paper titled “Making AI Less Thirsty” by researchers from the University of Colorado Riverside and the University of Texas Arlington....

The ESG conundrum

ESG can be an accelerator that drives profitability and growth. Do we really need ESG? Some think ESG is necessary to manage 21st century risks, while others say it merely obstructs business. While the conversation...

New US nuclear energy strategy published

A fresh report by the US Department of Energy has been published on the growth of nuclear power for the transition to a carbon-free economy. Nuclear generation is planned to increase from today’s ~100 GW...

Climate change: China’s voluntary carbon market a step closer to relaunch after suspension for underuse in 2017

China has moved a step closer to rebooting its suspended voluntary carbon market, the China Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) scheme, a part of its plans to develop a more comprehensive market mechanism to support the...

Global Emissions Trading Raised A Record $63 Billion In 2022

Emissions Trading Systems (ETS) raised a record $63 billion for governments last year, as the energy crisis pushed policymakers to double down on decarbonization efforts, intergovernmental forum International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) said in a...

Where There’s Plastic, There’s Fire. Indiana Blaze Highlights Concerns Over Expanding Plastic Recycling

China’s ban on accepting most plastic waste may have led to a burning stockpile in eastern Indiana that sent black smoke billowing into the air—and local residents scrambling to safety. The dense black smoke from...

Accelerating the European circular bioeconomy in 2023

Ed de Jong, Vice President of Development at Avantium, argues the case for accelerating the European circular bioeconomy in 2023The European circular bioeconomy faces its pivotal moment as we edge closer to the EU’s 2050...

Net zero subsidies are a disaster for Britain

Much has been written about Nigel Lawson, who died last week, but one quality jumps right off the page. Lord Lawson didn’t very much care if he was liked, and didn’t ingratiate himself with fashionable...

New UK plan to reach net zero goal faces criticism

The government has unveiled a new net zero plan which has been met with intense criticism from experts and environmental groups. The document was drawn up after the High Court ruled the government’s existing plans...

‘Green industrial age’ can be sustainable development breakthrough

Amid growing food and energy crises stoked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, an uncertain global economic outlook, and the escalating impacts of climate change, the 2023 Financing for Sustainable Development Report: Financing Sustainable Transformations,...

U.S. cities are recycling their plastic trash in Mexico. Critics call it ‘waste colonialism’

A new recycling plant in Mexicali raises legal and ethical concerns. Just ahead of this year’s Super Bowl in February, the City of Phoenix, Arizona, published a peculiar press release touting its strategy for waste...

Detsky Mir: An Example of Corporate Social Responsibility in RU/CIS retail

Detsky Mir Group is a multi-format digital retailer and the leader in the children’s goods sector in Russia and Kazakhstan, as well as a significant player in Belarus – with approx. 2 bn USD year...

Integrity Council launches global benchmark for high-integrity carbon credits

Core Carbon Principles, Program-level Assessment Framework and Assessment Procedure set rigorous thresholds on disclosure and sustainable development. The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM or Integrity Council) today launches its Core Carbon Principles...

Amid recent slowdown in global trade, ‘green goods’ are the winning ticket

According to UNCTAD’s latest Global Trade Update, trade in “green goods”, which use fewer resources and pollute less, grew by four per cent in the second half of the year, reaching a record $1.9 trillion...

Sustainability topics on the watch by media

As part of its 2023 Trend Report, the MSCI Research Center published some interesting statistics on which sustainability topics received the most frequent mention/coverage in the media. The evaluation was carried out from September 2019...

Africa and Europe set to be the dynamos for the global green hydrogen economy

Africa’s total announced electrolyzer pipeline capacity has reached 114 gigawatts (GW), with 61% of this tied to countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to Rystad Energy analysis. This African region has an announced electrolyzer pipeline of...

How chemical recycling supports the circular economy

The circular economy aims to minimise health-injurious waste and maximise sustainable resources by re-capturing the base materials from “waste,” and repurposing them to create climate-improved products. Recycling plays a crucial role in closing the loop...

5 Things All Small Businesses Need to Know About Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is an effective way for small businesses to reduce their carbon footprint, save money on energy bills, and contribute to a sustainable future. However, implementing renewable energy can be overwhelming and costly. In...

Net Zero Industry Act: EU must think bigger and bolder to really change the game

The EU is scrambling to retain its strong position in the race to decarbonise as the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) sets out the new rules of the game. It may not be quidditch, but...

The first rule of ESG: Don’t talk about ESG

How much should companies cower to the political pushback against all things ESG and, well, “woke”? I’ve been pondering that question and talking to corporate sustainability professionals and communications experts to understand how companies are...

State of ESG regulation and investment outlook in China

With the growing importance of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) and the high level of globalisation in capital and supply chains, the scope of ESG regulation is no longer confined to listed companies, the...

Fossil fuels received £20bn more UK support than renewables since 2015

The UK government has given £20bn more in support to fossil fuel producers than those of renewables since 2015, the Guardian can reveal. The research, commissioned by the Liberal Democrats, found that while renewable energy...

Circular Economy for Cement Could Be Worth €110B by 2050

The concrete industry is responsible for 8% of all global carbon emissions; and 30-40% of today’s solid waste is created through the construction and maintenance of the built environment. Circular models for production and reuse...

More Mining Companies Are Now Adding Renewable Energy To Their Energy Mix, Says JUWI

The mining sector is one of the most energy intensive sectors. Big mines can be located close to the grid and hence have access to the grid. However, in some places, electricity from the grid...

Does Virginia’s renewable future have space for alternative forms of gas?

After the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation in 2022 allowing natural gas companies to use biogas, a form of gas made from waste, state regulators have approved the first project developed under the new law....

Renewable Energy Market Worth US$ 1,977 Billion by 2030

The global renewable energy market size was valued at $881.7 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $1,977.6 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8.4% from 2021 to 2030. Key players operating...

Top miner mulls palladium-based catalysts for hydrogen energy

Alternative energy sources are on the rise, and hydrogen-based technologies are expected to play a key role in the energy transition. Last week, technology company IDTechEx predicted in its report that the Global blue hydrogen...

Republican governors tout green bona fides even as ESG becomes politically toxic as ‘woke’ climate change virtue signaling

Republican governors across the US have been trumpeting their states’ green bona fides even as the anti-ESG clatter from GOP lawmakers shows few signs of abating. Alaska’s Mike Dunleavy said his state has the potential...

Plastic consumption on course to nearly double by 2050 – research

Plastic use in G20 countries is on course to nearly double by the middle of the century unless a comprehensive and legally binding global treaty to curb consumption is drawn up, according to research published...

Supply chains can be a climate game-changer. Here’s why

For leading business executives committed to climate action, there was a silver lining in the dark cloud of 2020. Greenhouse gas emissions dropped for the first time since the Second World War – by about...

Examining options for the EU as it competes for clean tech sovereignty

Governments and institutions around the globe are seeking immediate fixes and long-term solutions to the ongoing energy crisis, exacerbated by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Mainland China, already in pole position in terms...

Asian Private-Equity Firms Face Growing Pressure to Improve ESG Reporting

Law firm Morrison Foerster’s Global PE Trends 2022 and Outlook for 2023 report has highlighted the need for mainstream private-equity funds to increase their focus on ESG issues. The report emphasizes the need for these...

Renewable energy cheaper than 99% of US coal plants, study finds

A new study has found that 99% of the US’ 210 coal-fired power plants are more expensive to run than it would cost to build new renewable energy operations such as solar panels or wind...

What is ‘greenhushing’ and why is it a risk for sustainability professionals?

Sustainability professionals are well-versed in the risks of greenwashing, but now some corporates are being accused of “greenhushing”. So, what is greenhushing and why is it important that we get to grips with this growing...

Phantom Offsets and Carbon Deceit

The organization that ensures the international success of companies is far from world famous. It is located in a sterile office building in Washington, D.C., where not even the doorman is familiar with its name....

Scaling solutions: the role of carbon markets in accelerating the net zero transition

The world needs transformational change to fight climate change. And it needs it now. In 2022, we witnessed flooding in Pakistan, wildfires in Europe, droughts in California and a total of 29 major weather disasters...

Arctic Council Faces Challenges as Race for Resources and Influence Heats Up

The Arctic Council, an international organisation made up of eight countries on the Arctic rim (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States), was formed in 1996 to address environmental concerns in...

WEF Suggests EGS Solutions for Cities to Reach Net-Zero Emissions

According to the latest UN Emissions Gap Report, the international community is unlikely to meet the Paris Agreement emissions reduction targets needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C, owing to shortages in necessary policy-making and...

Difficult year for ESG funds despite robust inflows

Based on FT analysis Despite the growing popularity of environmental, social and governance (ESG) funds, the past year has been a challenging one for the industry. In the third quarter of 2022, sustainable funds saw...

The mining industry’s efforts to reduce GHG emissions

Mining is a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with the extraction and processing of minerals and metals generating significant amounts of CO2. As the world grapples with the urgent need to address climate...

India’s Udaipur Named Top Recipient of CSR Funds in Rajasthan for 2020-21

Udaipur, also known as the City of Lakes, was named the top recipient of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds in the state of Rajasthan for FY 2020-2021. The Udaipur district received a total of almost...

Top Russian miner says waste rock may absorb millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases

Russian mining giant Nornickel has begun studying how its tailings – the waste rock from ore processing operations – could help reduce the carbon footprint associated with metal production. Nornickel’s waste rock, which typically looks...

World making progress on energy efficiency, says IEA

2022 has seen significant global acceleration in energy efficiency actions, according to Energy Efficiency 2022, the International Energy Agency’s annual report on global energy efficiency markets and policy.“Amid today’s energy crisis, we are seeing signs...