The ESG criteria
The decisive factor in Finland’s victory this year was the aspect of governance and institutions. Finland outperformed the EU average on all 15 ESG criteria. However, a high environmental score, compared to other Scandinavian and European countries, was decisive for the leading position in the final country sustainability ranking for 2021.
Finland’s strong environmental laws have reduced pollution and improved the protection of nature and biodiversity. The country is leading the world in transitioning its energy sector to a low-carbon future, drawing almost 40% of the energy it consumes from renewable sources.
Emerging countries
Some countries that have seen positive development in this area are Taiwan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia. These have excelled, especially in the areas of governance and positive social reforms.
Countries with negative developments
Countries like France or India have experienced strong negative developments in the field of sustainability. Misguided policy decisions, dependence on nuclear power plants, or, in the case of India, some challenges with respect to human rights played a decisive role in this negative development.
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In a general comparison of countries, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark occupy the top 3, while Switzerland is in the top 5. At the bottom of the list are Iraq, Iran, and Yemen.
