Environmental Performance Index (EPI)

The 2020 Environmental Performance Index (2020 EPI) centers on two broad environmental protection objectives: (1) reducing environmental stresses on human health, and (2) promoting ecosystem vitality and sound natural resource management. These are gauged using 32 indicators tracked in 11 issue categories:

Air Quality
Sanitation and Drinking Water
Heavy Metals
Waste Management
Biodiversity and Habitat
Ecosystem Services
Fisheries
Climate Change
Pollution Emissions
Agriculture
Water Resources

For more information on the indicators, download the 2020 EPI Technical Appendix.

The EPI utilizes a proximity-to-target methodology focused on a core set of environmental outcomes linked to policy goals. The 2020 EPI includes 180 countries based on data availability.

For a more detailed methodology, review the 2020 EPI report.

In addition, data users may wish to review an Audit of the 2020 EPI prepared by the Joint Research Centre (JRC).

EPI is produced by:

Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy
195 Prospect Street
New Haven, CT 06511

Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University
PO Box 1000
61 Route 9W
Palisades, NY 10964
USA

With support from The McCall MacBain Foundation and special assistance from The Mullion Group