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The Climate Change Performance Index 2017 - what's new?

The 2017 Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), produced by the independent NGOs Germanwatch and Climate Action Network Europe, as usual, covers 58 countries most responsible for global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels.
The authors use an assessment methodology for each country based on 15 different indicators in five categories, the most important of which are Emissions Level and Development of Emissions, comprising 60% of the final score. Other categories have less impact on the final results and take into account the state of renewable energy, climate policy and energy efficiency for each country. It should be noted that the authors are constantly improving the assessment methodology and recognize the vulnerability of some of its points. Thus, in recent years, the rating has also taken into consideration emissions from deforestation. The researches acknowledge the necessity of additional studies to provide adequate emissions evaluation from shale and mine gas extraction. Data gaps hinder an effective valuation of the negative impact of unsustainable hydropower facilities. A more nuanced approach is needed for assessment of indicators related to the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
The places 1 to 3 in the ranking traditionally remain unoccupied, which underscores the steadfast position of its authors that no country has yet done enough to prevent climate change. The results of CCPI 2017 are somewhat unexpected and broad-ranging. First, Denmark, the leader in the ratings from the previous five years was replaced. Its index literally collapsed from 71.19 points to 61.87, and the country dropped to 13th place. The top line of the rating was taken by France. The main reason for this was the fact that the policy of the Danish government has substantially downgraded measures that contribute to reducing emissions, the authors claim. France, in contrast, moved from 8th place in the previous rating to 4th, one of the leading places in the current ranking. This happened due to the improvement of France's performance in emission levels, as well as climate policy. Other countries which have improved their performance greatly include India (20th and 23rd) and Argentina (36th and 49th in the ratings of the current and previous year).
As well as Denmark, the USA experienced a serious drop in the rating from the 35th to 43rd place. This appalling result makes experts believe that the US climate policy is in real danger of regression.
At the bottom of the rating, where the countries with the lowest number of scores and, accordingly, with the greatest negative impact on the climate are concentrated, the changes were not significant compared to the previous year. Among the top five outsiders again were Saudi Arabia, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea and Australia.