Vietnam Having Worst Environmental Sustainability Index among ASEAN

Vietnam Having Worst Environmental Sustainability Index among ASEAN

Vietnam has gained the lowest place among eight ASEAN countries in terms of environmental sustainability index (ESI), according to the 2005 ESI released at the World Economic Forum on January 27 in Davos, Switzerland. (See following table)

The country scored 42.3 points on a scale of 100 ranks 127^th out of the selected 146 countries and territories in the world and 98^th out of 117 developing countries.

Worst still, it holds worse position among 29 members of the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) due to its poorly environmental governance, the ability to reduce stress to the eco-system, air and water quality, with its environment highly vulnerable to natural disasters.

The 2005 ESI conducted by a team of environmental experts at Yale and Columbia Universities, ranks countries on 21 elements of environmental sustainability covering natural resource endowments, past and present pollution levels, environmental management efforts, contributions to protection of the global commons, waste generation

greenhouse gas emissions and a society's capacity to improve its environmental performance over time.

Finland ranks first in the world in the ESI with 75.2 points. Norway, Uruguay, Sweden and Iceland's high ESI scores are attributed to substantial natural resource endowments, low population density, and successful management of environment and development issues.

In the high-middle ranking, the United States places 45^th, just behind the Netherlands (44^th) and the ahead of the United Kingdom (46^th).

The lowest ranked countries and territories are North Korea, Iraq, Taiwan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. 

The 2005 ESI generates a number of policy conclusions. Income emerges as a critical driver of environmental issues.

Its analysis also makes clear that developed countries face environmental challenges, particularly pollution stresses and consumption-related issues, distinct from those facing developing countries, where resource depletion and a lack of capacity for pollution control are dominant concerns.

(Vnexpress.net, VNS)