Britain Trails World League on Its Green Credentials
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Full story: Britain Trails World League on Its Green Credentials
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BRITAIN has scored poorly in a new league table of countries' green credentials.
A study examining 141 countries put Britain 93rd in the world for energy efficiency, including conservation efforts and renewable energy use, and 77th for its greenhouse gas emissions.
But overall Britain was ranked 25th in the list of greenest and best places to live.
According to the analysis, Britain was beaten by its neighbours Ireland, which came seventh, and France, which was in 16th place.
The country that came top in the poll - which is based on nations' green credentials and other indicators of how desirable they are to live in, such as education and income - was Finland, followed by Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Austria.
Ethiopia came bottom of the league table.
Britain scored quite highly for water quality, coming in 15th, but did not do so well for air quality, for which it received a ranking of 41st.
Glasgow was ranked as the 13th greenest city in the world - with Stockholm taking the top spot.
The worst cities were all in Asia, with Beijing at the bottom of the table.
The analysis was commissioned by Readers' Digest.
It was carried out by the US environmental economist Matthew Kahn using the United Nations' 2006 Human Development Index and the 2005 Environmental Sustainability Index.
- Source: Scotsman.com
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Britain Give Disappointing Green Rating
LONDON - Britain is languishing near the bottom of a league table that grades countries green credentials, according to a study published on Friday.
The Reader's Digest table of 141 countries places Britain in a disappointing 93rd spot for energy efficiency -- including conservation efforts and renewable energy use -- and 77th for its greenhouse gas emissions.
Britain also comes out a lacklustre 25th in the overall list of greenest and best places to live.
US environmental economist Matthew Kahn compiled the survey using the UN 2006 Human Development Index and the 2005 Environmental Sustainability Index.
Eight of the top ten countries are in Europe, with Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden leading the way.
All of the top ten cities are European with Stokholm finishing top of the study.
Glasgow (13th) is the highest ranking British city, with Manchester finishing in 30th place.
The report states of Britain's performance: "Greenhouse gases are major culprits. In 2004, per-capita carbon dioxide emissions were more than twice the worldwide per capita figure, and it's a trend heading in the wrong direction: total carbon dioxide emissions in the UK actually increased slightly between 2000 and 2005."
Reader's Digest editor-in-chief Katherine Walker said the study will come as a blow to a government which is attempting to be a world leader on climate change.
"What is clear from this research is that Britain is far from being a green and pleasant land. Our ranking in terms of energy efficiency in particular should send a message to the government that much more needs to be done.
"Public awareness is high and the demand to make homes more energy efficient is there, but all the indications are that the grant system has been so chaotic that people who want to install solar panels and wind turbines are being put off," she added.
- Source: AFP
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