Climate Change Performance Index 2021: Still no country good enough; EU stands at a crossroads

The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2021 evaluates 57 of the world's highest greenhouse gas emitters, finding that no single country is currently on a path compliant with the Paris Agreement goals. While the European Union improved its ranking to 16th place, the report highlights a stark divide between leading nations and G20 members like the USA, Saudi Arabia, and Russia, who are rated 'very low'.

• No country currently meets the targets of the Paris Agreement, and the top three positions of the CCPI remain vacant because no nation serves as a complete 'climate role model'.
• The European Union's overall ranking improved from 22nd to 16th place, primarily due to better rated climate policy. While Scandinavian countries and Portugal perform well, Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic are identified as laggards within the EU.
• There is a significant performance gap among G20 members. The United Kingdom (5th), India (10th), and the EU score high, whereas the USA (61st), Saudi Arabia (60th), Canada (58th), Australia (54th), South Korea (53rd), and Russia (52nd) are all rated 'very low'.
• Sweden ranks 4th and has been a frontrunner for four consecutive years, leading in renewable energy, climate policy, and greenhouse gas emissions, though its high per capita energy consumption (49th place) limits its overall score.
• The USA is ranked last for the second consecutive year, receiving 'very low' ratings in all categories except renewable energy. Along with Australia and Algeria, it is one of the few countries to receive the worst rating for both national and international climate policy.

APA

NewClimate Institute (2020). Climate Change Performance Index 2021: Still no country good enough; EU stands at a crossroads. https://newclimate.org/resources/publications/climate-change-performance-index-2021

Chicago

NewClimate Institute. Climate Change Performance Index 2021: Still no country good enough; EU stands at a crossroads. 2020. https://newclimate.org/resources/publications/climate-change-performance-index-2021.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=NewClimate Institute |title=Climate Change Performance Index 2021: Still no country good enough; EU stands at a crossroads |date=7 December 2020 |url=https://newclimate.org/resources/publications/climate-change-performance-index-2021 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{newclimateinstitute2020climate, author = {{NewClimate Institute}}, title = {{Climate Change Performance Index 2021: Still no country good enough; EU stands at a crossroads}}, institution = {NewClimate Institute}, year = {2020}, month = dec, url = {https://newclimate.org/resources/publications/climate-change-performance-index-2021}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }