Emerging economy front runner in climate policy for the first time

Brazil was the biggest mover and knocked developed countries further down the scale in a ranking of countries taking the best action against climate change.

Sweden, a traditionally good performer, moved further down the , according to the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) published by Germanwatch and Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe.

The report ranked countries based on their climate protection performance relative to one another, comparing 57 industrialised countries and emerging economies.

This year’s bottom-of-the-barrel finishers were Canada and Saudi Arabia. Because Canada's government delayed the announcement of any major new climate policies, it remained in second-to-last place for the second year in a row.

Brazil and the United Kingdom ranked high in this year's index after passing progressive domestic climate legislation. At the same time, while the US took a small step up the ladder, it remains in low position.

“It’s great to see emerging economies like Brazil moving up the rankings, sending a clear signal during these negotiations that they are more and more committed to combating climate change,” said Matthias Duwe, Director of CAN Europe. “I only wish more EU countries were showing the same commitment to positive change.”

Author of the study Jan Burck from Germanwatch explained: “Because the CCPI represents a relative ranking, countries are ranked against one another as well as against the criteria of keeping temperature rise below the dangerous level of two degrees. Therefore, since no country is thus far adequately on the path toward halting dangerous climate change, the three top spots are empty once again this year.”

Christoph Bals, Policy Director from Germanwatch, commented: "There are a number of climate policy proposals going through US congress at the moment but nothing yet on the books. A bill which really reduces emissions and a strong performance in Copenhagen would improve their ranking."