Living in a country that thinks green
These five countries are making positive global contributions to the planet and climate, according to the Good Country Index.
The latest climate reports look grim: recent research published in Science journal indicates that oceans are warming 40% faster than previously thought, while the UN panel of climate-change scientists released a landmark report in October 2018 warning that rising temperatures may cause major flooding, droughts, food shortages and wildfires by 2040 unless drastic action is taken.
While the global community still has a long way to go in addressing the reported climate changes, certain countries have emerged as making positive global contributions to the planet, according to the Good Country Index, which aims to measure the impact a single country has on the wider world, such as its ecological footprint relative to the size of the economy and the percentage of renewable energy used.
“In our age of advanced globalisation and massive interdependence, everything sooner or later, has an impact on the whole system,” said Simon Anholt, an independent policy advisor who founded the index. “I wanted to create the first index that measured the external impact of each country on the whole of humanity, the whole planet, outside its own borders.”
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European countries dominate the top 10 on the Planet & Climate portion of the Good Countries Index, but nations around the world are making strides to reduce their negative impact on the environment. We spoke to residents in five high-performing countries and asked what it's like to live in a place that's doing more to save the planet.
Norway tops the Good Country Index list of countries that have made positive contributions to the planet and climate (Credit: Credit: imageBROKER/Alamy)
Norway tops the Good Country Index list of countries that have made positive contributions to the planet and climate (Credit: imageBROKER/Alamy)
Norway
Planet & Climate Index ranking: 1
Topping the list for contribution to the planet and climate is Norway, which has led the world in a number of environmental initiatives, including the highest electric car adoption in the world and a governmental pledge to be climate neutral by 2030. But the relationship with the natural world here goes well beyond policy. Norwegians embrace the concept of friluftsliv, which translates to ‘open-air life’ and conveys the importance of spending time outdoors to be healthy and happy.
“It’s a really deeply rooted part of our culture, and something that’s almost like a religion for a lot of people,” said Norwegian Axel Bentsen, founder and CEO of Urban Sharing, the company behind the popular bike sharing programme Oslo City Bike. “We spend time outdoors in all weather, and our babies even take naps outdoors. Our capital, Oslo, is unique in that you can actually take public transit right out into the forest, so it’s a popular thing to do before or after work.”
Oslo was named the 2019 European Green Capital by the European Commission for restoring its waterways, making investments in cycling and public transportation and for its innovative approach to climate budgeting (making carbon dioxide emissions a trackable metric just like financial funding). The city has also worked to become car-free in its centre. “Over the past year, it’s been great to see the city remove parking spaces to allow for more pedestrian and bike-friendly areas, while the biking infrastructure has also been improved with more bike lanes,” Bentsen said.
Norwegians embrace the concept of friluftsliv, which translates to ‘open-air life’ (Credit: Credit: Steve Taylor ARPS/Alamy)
Norwegians embrace the concept of friluftsliv, which translates to ‘open-air life’ (Credit: Steve Taylor ARPS/Alamy)
Though 99% of Norway’s domestic energy is sustainably sourced through hydropower from its coastline, fjords and waterfalls, Norway is still a major oil extractor and exporter, which has become a controversial political issue.
“Is the continued extraction and export of oil and gas worth it because it generates the huge sums of money being spent on environmental infrastructure that wouldn’t otherwise be available?” asked David Nikel, a British expat who has lived in Norway since 2011 and blogs at Life In Norway. “Many think [the money spent on environmental infrastructure] will inspire other cities and other countries, and eventually lead to a greener world. Others think it’s a double standard. It comes down to which side of the equation you fall on.”
Portugal
Planet & Climate Index ranking: 3
Coming in third for its contributions to the planet, Portugal was an early leader in investing in a full network of charging stations for electric cars (which was free until just recently), and has incentivised citizens to install solar power and renewable energy with lower rates and the opportunity to sell energy back to the grid.
“Most of my neighbours either have solar panels or a water pump. In my house, my parents installed this pump that turns rainwater into clean water [that] we use mainly to water our plants, wash clothes and give water to our pets,” said Mariana Magalhães, originally from Portugal who now lives in the UK and is a communications manager at branding agency Forty8Creates. She also noted it was shocking to see so few electric car chargers in London, compared to how many there were even in her small rural town.
Recycling and composting is a normal way of life here, with specialised bins in every neighbourhood, including one for batteries. Education has played a big role in making everyday green efforts a reality. “In high school, we had a lot of classes on environmental education and we frequently had classes in a local park to build into us the love for the environment,” Magalhães said.
Portugal was an early leader in investing in a full network of charging stations for electric cars (Credit: Credit: Sunpix/Alamy)
Portugal was an early leader in investing in a full network of charging stations for electric cars (Credit: Sunpix/Alamy)
Portugal has long been an agrarian society that has made use of its abundant natural resources. “On the border between Portugal and Spain in the north, you can see the mountains filled with wind renewable energy machinery. You can also see [hydroelectric dams] on the lakes to collect energy from the water,” Magalhães said.
“We have natural conditions that favour the use of renewable energies,” added Joana Mendes, manager of Molinum bed and breakfast in southern Portugal. “Since they are cheaper, we gradually changed towards them.”
In the hilly capital of Lisbon, bicycle adoption isn’t as strong as in other European capitals, but other sustainable modes of transportation are starting to take off. “Electric scooter rentals were introduced in Lisbon, and they have become a huge hit,” said American Wendy Werneth, who has lived in Portugal for two years and blogs at The Nomadic Vegan. “Lisboetas have really embraced the electric scooter as an eco-friendly way to get around town.”
Uruguay
Planet & Climate Index ranking: 15
Ranked highest of the South American countries in the Planet & Climate index (coming in 15th) and consistently named one of the most ethical destinations for its social and environmental policies, Uruguay has become a global leader for renewable energy – as much out of necessity as respect for the planet.
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