The Hindu : National : India ranks 101 on Environmental Sustainability Index

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Friday, Feb 04, 2005

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National

India ranks 101 on Environmental Sustainability Index

By Tejas Ewing

India is ranked a disappointing 101st out of 146 countries analysed in the recently released Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI). Produced by a team of environmental experts from Yale and Columbia Universities, the 2005 report is the most comprehensive, country-by-country environmental ranking system to date.

Using 21 indicators and 76 measurements, including natural resource endowments, past and present pollution levels, and policy efforts, the report creates a `sustainability score' for each country, with higher scores indicating better environmental sustainability.

The 10 most sustainable countries, as ranked by the ESI, are dominated by wealthy, sparsely-populated nations with an abundance of natural resources. Finland has been ranked first, with Norway, Sweden and Iceland all figuring in the top five. In fact, the only developing nations in the top 10 are Uruguay and Guyana, both of which have relatively low population densities and an abundance of natural resources. Conversely, the only densely-populated countries that have received even above average rankings are Japan, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy, some of the richest countries on the list.

Daunting challenges

To Ananth Padmanathan, Director of Greenpeace India, this is not surprising. ``Their wealth enables them to set high standards domestically, and import goods that are produced at high environmental cost elsewhere.'' He believes that India has challenges that are more daunting than those facing wealthier, smaller nations. ``Finland is not even a model for India to emulate,'' he says, ``in the populous countries of the South, the real challenge implied in the phrase `sustainable development' is felt most sharply.''

S. Balaji, Director of Environment, Government of Tamil Nadu, feels that these results highlight how the local situation can affect environmental management. ``In India, the problems of poverty and high population density lead to different priorities for many people. It is difficult to preach to them about the environment when they are struggling for their next meal.''

Resource utilisation

As T. Mohan, a local environmental activist, explains: ``We cannot simply mimic the industrialised nation's path to affluence.

That will only lead to disaster. We need our own solutions.'' He cites resource utilisation as being especially important for countries with high population densities.

``Policy-makers are not addressing these issues as they should,'' says M.G Devasahayan, Managing Trustee of Citizens for Sustainable Living. ``Our population density exacerbates resource-use inefficiency, yet our environmental technology is still not well-developed,'' he points out.

'Even though India's per capita consumption levels are far below world standards, the inefficient management of this consumption drags down India's environmental record. ``For example, India may use less energy per person than Finland, but when we are using highly polluting coal at only 35 per cent efficiency rates, rather than efficient wind or solar power, it is very harmful to our environment,'' Mr. Devasahayan explains.

India, as a budding global power, should be on the forefront of researching local solutions to issues such as energy efficiency and habitat management, says Jayashree Vencatesan, Director of Care Earth, a local non-governmental organisation specialising in biodiversity.

She feels that, unfortunately, environment does not feature adequately in the Government's agenda. ``No party gives enough weight to environmental issues. Perhaps this ranking will spur them to action.''

Dr. Balaji accepts this assessment.

``The environmental awakening is a recent phenomenon, and at the moment, we are only inching forward with solutions.'' But, ``sustainable development is possible if all stakeholders are brought on board,'' he says, citing the fact that 95 per cent of households in Tamil Nadu now have rainwater-harvesting structures. He sees a benefit in media attention to the issue because ``increased environmental awareness may be the key to improving India's environmental sustainability.''

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