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Evaluating the relative environmental impact of countries
Corey J A Bradshaw1, Xingli Giam, Navjot S Sodhi
1The Environment Institute and School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. corey.bradshaw@adelaide.edu.au
Plos One
|May 11, 2010
Summary
This study introduces new metrics to rank countries by environmental impact, revealing high-impact nations and key drivers like wealth. Findings highlight the need for improved environmental practices globally, especially in Asia and wealthier nations.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Environmental protection is crucial for sustaining ecosystem services vital to human well-being.
- Identifying countries with high environmental impact is essential for targeted policy interventions and identifying successful models.
- Existing metrics often conflate environmental impact with human health or economic factors, necessitating novel approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and present novel, country-specific metrics for ranking environmental impact.
- To differentiate between proportional (per resource availability) and absolute (total) environmental impact.
- To identify key drivers of environmental impact and test the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized country-specific data on natural forest loss, habitat conversion, marine captures, fertilizer use, water pollution, carbon emissions, and species threat.
- Developed two distinct ranking metrics: one proportional to resource availability and one absolute measure of total impact.
- Employed structural equation models to analyze correlations and identify the primary drivers of environmental impact, controlling for cross-correlations.
Main Results:
- Singapore, Korea, Japan, and the Netherlands ranked high on proportional environmental impact.
- Brazil, USA, China, and Indonesia showed the highest absolute environmental impact.
- Increasing national wealth was identified as the most significant driver of environmental impact, with a weak inverse relationship observed with per capita wealth.
Conclusions:
- Environmental impact varies significantly between countries, with Asian nations often exhibiting high proportional and absolute impacts.
- The environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis was not supported; wealth is a key driver, necessitating environmentally friendly practices in developed nations.
- Global efforts must focus on improving environmental performance in less-developed nations, particularly in Asia, and promoting sustainable practices in wealthier countries.
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