Clean air is a basic human right. Everyone who is a citizen of our planet has the right upon the air where he/she can breathe. In fact, presence of an atmosphere containing life-supporting gases was one of the prime factors that made life on earth a possibility. But human activities and increasing intervention has today filled the air around us with poisonous gases and particulate matter that pose a real threat to presence of life on the planet. However, the condition of the air in some countries is still very hospitable and serene. Let us have a look upon top 5 such nations with the cleanest air in the world, as per the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy’s Environmental Performance Index (EPI) for Air Quality-
1. FINLAND
The Scandinavian nation of Finland is at the top of the list. It received an EPI score of 98.8 for air quality. The concentration of microparticles in the air is Finland was measured to be 6 micrograms per cubic metre which is the lowest in the world. To control the amounts of dust particulates that get suspended in the air, Finland introduced washing of the streets in 2020 instead of sweeping them. The government is also dedicated to reduce the incoming pollution to the air at the port of Helsinki. Most of the environmental measures taken by Finland are a part of the EU legislation. Finnish homes had an old tradition to heat homes with wood as the country lies close to the frigid zone but now, people have turned to more sustainable and less polluting options.
2. AUSTRALIA
With an air quality EPI score of 98.2, Australia ranks on number 2 for having the cleanest air in the world. The country’s nomination in such a list is commendable considering its comparatively larger population of about 25 million, huge land area, a huge central desert landmass which causes dust storms and frequent bushfires. The government in the country makes sure that the air quality management system is active at both, national and local levels. Australia has designed some national standards for the air quality of the nation and since 1998, the Environment Protection Agencies work to maintain these standards.
3. SWEDEN
Sweden too was scored 98.2 as the air quality EPI score and has seen a better 10 year growth in the score than Australia. The emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) have decreased to more than half since 1990s. Sweden has made it mandatory to use catalytic converters to the exhaust system of vehicles which has reduced the emissions of carbon monoxide. This data of emissions is compiled every year. With these outstanding mapping and controlling methods, the air quality in Sweden remains almost constant every year.
4. ICELAND
Iceland had an EPI score of 98.1 for its air quality in 2020. The country is small and is sparsely populated which reduces the emissions by it to a large extent. Iceland has made efforts to reduce emissions from industries, transport and open burning. Mlost of the measures taken by Iceland are based on the legislature of the European Union. In June 2010, Iceland made a law that stipulated limit on the amount of hydrogen sulphide in ambient air. It also abolished taxes on the vehicles that use methane or hydrogen as energiser so as to encourage the sale of more environment friendly vehicles. Municipalities have played a major role in improving the air quality in Iceland.
5. NORWAY
With an air quality EPI score of 97.9, Norway is yet another Scandinavian country that makes into this list. In 2018, the PM 2.5 levels in Norway reduced by 34% of the 2005 values, thus achieving the target of 30% under the revised Gothenburg Protocol. It passed the Climate Act in 2017 to ensure that the nation becomes a low-emission society by 2050 and reduce its green house gases emissions by 40% till 2030. Measures implemented for vehicle emissions, increased dust binding, studded tyre duty and road cleaning have led to decrease in theparticulate matter levels, which are expected to decline further. Ozone levels have been almost constant in recent decades.
6. NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand occupies the sixth spot on this list with an air quality EPI score of 97.4. The island nation has passed a Resource Management Act which provides for sustainable development in all sectors of the society. New Zealand, known for its hot-springs and geysers, has 80% of its electricity generated by renewable sources, thus cutting down emissions and providing clean power. In lesser words, New Zealand is still growing, but is doing so with cleaner resources.
7. CANADA
At number 7 is The Land of the Maple Leaf. Canada has a score of 94.8 in the EPI’s air quality section. The country is sparsely populated. Most of the people live in the Ontario and Quebec provinces. The nation has laid a plan to encourage investments in green technologies. Limits have been set on the emissions of NOx, SOx and other harmful and volatile compounds that lead to degradation of air quality. Aggregate industrial emissions are checked by allowing businesses that do not follow the limits of the emission to be the participants of a Canadian emissions trading system.
8. IRELAND
Ireland, with an aggregate air quality EPI score of 94 out of 100, lies at number 8 in this list. What is more impressive of the nation is that its ten-year growth of 10.7 in the EPI score is the highest among the top ten countries (Estonia at number 21 has the highest growth of 17.6). Industrial Emissions and Integrated Pollution Control licensing has been enforced in Ireland. Apart from this, the introduction of Medium Combustion Plant Directive has also helped to curb industrial emissions.
9. SWITZERLAND
With an average air quality EPI score of 90.6, Switzerland lies at number 9 in the list. Being in the very sensitive alpine zone, the country is highly susceptible to climate change but yet it has managed to keep its air pristine. Switzerland promotes clean power and a large part of its energy comes from geothermal energy and hydropower. The country too has ambitious targets to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases by 50 percent of the 1990 levels and also aims to completely cut down its emissions by 2050.
10. FRANCE
France ranks 10 in the list with an average air quality EPI score of 88.1. Interestingly, one of the first nations to ever have an Environment Ministry was France. As per the legislation of the EU, France agreed to cut down its emissions to 20% of 1990’s values till 2020. It also promotes eco-friendly fuels and is set to completely stop the usage of diesel-based fuels. The country tries to move to more eco-friendly solutions in all walks of life. France has 31% of its area covered by forests which is an increment of 7% to 1990. This also plays its role in keeping the air clean.
