The 10 countries with the biggest gains in environmental friendliness
Some of the worst countries for emissions are turning around their reputations through high-profile efforts to tackle climate change, a new survey suggests.
Japan is one of the 10 highest producers of carbon dioxide worldwide, but also had the biggest improvement in its environmental image in a new index.
The FutureBrand Country Index surveyed 2,500 people from 75 different countries, asking how different countries rated on a wide range of measures.
Japan had a 14% increase since the last 2014 survey in respondents saying it “performs very strongly” on its environmental record.
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Finland and Norway showed the second and third highest increases in perceived environmental friendliness.
A majority of respondents said the three countries had a positive public image on their environmental records.
Japan also had the best reported reputation overall for any country.
“Since the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, plans for decarbonization took a step backward as Japanese power plants expanded their use of fossil fuels,” the FutureBrand’s report said.
“Yet as Japanese citizens have expressed concerns over severe weather, the government pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26% before 2030. The government has listened, and the world has noticed.”
Nigeria, Denmark, Romania, Sweden, Oman, South Korea, and Slovakia also featured in the 10 “most-improved” countries for their green image worldwide.
