Which country ranked highest overall in the Climate Change Performance Index 2025?

The correct answer is Denmark.

Key Points

• Denmark has been consistently leading global climate change rankings due to its strong policies and commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
• The country excels in renewable energy use, particularly wind energy, which contributes significantly to its electricity generation.
• Denmark’s ambitious climate policies include the Climate Act, which legally binds the country to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels).
• Its high ranking in the Climate Change Performance Index 2025 is attributed to its proactive measures in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and international cooperation on climate issues.
• The Climate Change Performance Index evaluates countries based on greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, energy use, and climate policy, with Denmark scoring high across all categories.

Additional Information

• Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI):
  • The CCPI is an independent monitoring tool used to track the climate protection performance of 60 countries and the European Union.
  • The index is jointly published by Germanwatch, the NewClimate Institute, and the Climate Action Network (CAN).
  • It evaluates countries based on four key categories: greenhouse gas emissions (40%), renewable energy (20%), energy use (20%), and climate policy (20%).
  • The CCPI aims to enhance transparency in international climate politics and encourage countries to adopt stronger climate measures.
• Denmark's Renewable Energy Leadership:
  • Denmark is a global leader in wind energy, with wind turbines accounting for over 40% of its electricity production.
  • The country has invested heavily in offshore wind farms and plans to build artificial energy islands to harness more renewable energy.
  • Denmark’s energy transition is supported by governmental policies and public-private partnerships in the green energy sector.
• Paris Agreement:
  • An international treaty adopted in 2015 to combat climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, aiming for 1.5°C.
  • Countries are required to submit nationally determined contributions (NDCs) outlining their climate action plans.
  • Denmark’s commitment to the Paris Agreement is reflected in its ambitious national targets and initiatives to reduce emissions.
• Carbon Neutrality:
  • Carbon neutrality, also known as net-zero emissions, refers to achieving a balance between emitted and absorbed greenhouse gases.
  • Denmark aims to become carbon neutral by 2050, with interim targets like the 70% reduction in emissions by 2030.
  • The country is adopting technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) and increasing its reliance on renewable energy to meet these goals.