Ranked 8th: Austria with an EPI score of 78.1
Austria, once the center of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the country has been reduced to a very small republic after being defeated by Germany in World War II, and then obtained independence in 1955. Austria entered the EU in 1999 as a prosperous and democratic country. Austria is located in central Europe with a temperate climate meaning cold winters and moderate summers. Similar to many EU nations it does have its share of air pollution from carbon emissions and power plants though they are making strides on improving. Austria has a well developed economy with a high standard of living focusing on the service, industrial and agricultural sectors. It is one of only four European countries that derive more than 30% of total energy consumption from renewable energy sources. This excludes nuclear energy, which is not considered a renewable energy source.
This model eco-friendly country scored 100% for water quality (and is known for being among the top countries with the tastiest water in the world 😉 ) and sanitation as well as forestry preservation!
MANAGING SCARCE RESOURCES
Austria’s heritage and environmental performance, furthermore, are inextricably linked to the European Alps. The geographic context of being a tiny, landlocked country, dependent on the forests and mountains for tourism has prompted Austria to manage the land very carefully for many decades.
Austria now produces more than half of its electricity (62.89 percent) through renewable energy sources such as wind, hydropower, solar and biomass power plants…
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