Commitment to Development Index: U.S. Ranks Last on Environment [Press Release]
WASHINGTON,D.C.(December 10, 2007) The United States ranks last of 21 rich countries on the environment component of the 2007 Commitment to Development Index (CDI). Norway ranks first on the environment component, followed by Ireland, Finland, and the United Kingdom. Spain had the second worst ranking on the environment policy component, followed by Australia and Canada.
The Index, produced annually by the Center for Global Development, an independent Washington research and policy organization, ranks 21 high-income industrialized countries on how well their policies and actions support poor countries’ efforts to build prosperity, good government, and security. The scoring adjusts for size, leveling the playing field for large and small nations.
The environment component is one of seven policy areas that comprise the CDI. The other Index components are aid, trade, investment, migration, security, and technology.
The Netherlands comes in first on the 2007 CDI on the strength of ample aid-giving, falling greenhouse gas emissions, and support for investment in developing countries. Close behind are three more big aid donors, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Australia, Canada, and New Zealand are among those tying for fifth. They have a very different profile: generally low on aid but strong on trade, investment, migration, and security.
Japan remains last.
Commentary Menu