The index ranks countries on a range of indicators that consider the health of their environment, how they enhance or damage ecosystems and efforts to combat climate change

The UAE has been ranked top in the Middle East region in the Environmental Performance Index published by Yale and Columbia universities.

The influential index scores countries based on their environmental sustainability. Denmark topped the list while India came last. The UAE was ranked joint in 39th place globally (alongside Antigua & Barbuda) out of the 180 nations included.

“High-scoring countries exhibit long-standing and continuing investments in policies that protect environmental health, preserve biodiversity and habitat, conserve natural resources, and decouple greenhouse gas emissions from economic growth,” the index report states.

The UAE scored 52.4 out of 100, which places it first out of 16 countries from the “Greater Middle East” category.

Source: Arabian Business