Which country is most environmentally friendly?
There is much increased debates on environment now a days. The environment all over the world has deteriorated due to many reasons. The health status of the citizens in most of the country are badly hit by the poor status of the environment. The governments of every country is much worried about the health of its citizens. In United Nation, the topic of environment is much debated and is considered as one of the leading discussion. Meanwhile many countries are striving to make the matter better but some countries have done a lot while others couldn’t. Among the countries which are successful in bringing environmental friendliness, the most revolutionary changes have been brought by Switzerland. In this report, we are about to know what and how Switzerland has done this big thing. It is very difficult for the Governments of the country to balance the environment and pollution sources.
Switzerland has reached Environmental Performance Index (EPI) score of 87. This score is based on many factors of environment like air quality, water sanitation, forest cover change, species safeguard to name some. So, what Switzerland has done exactly to achieve this remarkable results.
Switzerland has increased recycling rate from 15% to 57% between 1990 and 2015. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has confirmed that Switzerland has one of the highest recycling rate in the world. In this way, Switzerland has decreased the need of manufacturing factory products and releasing the harmful gases. Switzerland has successfully increased environmental awareness as it can be told from the signs like local shops are using reusable bags for selling products everywhere. Switzerland has also ranked first in setting up green technology enterprises which has already generated 25% increase in the jobs in the last five years.
People in Switzerland has a grown mentality to avail public transportation like train. This is because the commitment of the railway department in maintaining the comfort level, punctuality and frequency of trains, status of cleanliness. The quality and density of network is sufficient for the public to reach their desired destinations. It has been said that about 60% of the population depends on the railway for their daily transportation.
Swiss government has invested 1.7% of their GDP on environmental protection. In the past 30 years or so, Switzerland has invested in managing waste water infrastructure and today considerable results has been obtained in terms of content of organic contaminants, heavy metals and other micro pollutants. Swiss government has developed new pricing system which provide sustained financial support to maintain the sewage network. Swiss government intends to control the non-point source pollution specially from agriculture, improves the protection against harmful or substances like nitrates and pesticides, etc.
Swiss air has reached the international commitments for reduction of atmospheric emissions. Since 1980s, Swiss air has improved in terms of SOx, NOx, VOCs, CO, particulates, heavy metals content. It has been found that Switzerland’s emissions are the lowest per unit of GDP in the OECD area. In fact their sustainable development is enhanced and supported by solar and geothermal energy, heat pumps, wind, hydraulic power. This means all are clean energies. Practically, there is no emissions added in the air while producing energy. Though hydroelectric power still remain source of renewable energy in Switzerland as it produces 56% of power with hydro. Again, use of biofuels has increased 70% from the last year. Government also strive toward cleaner energies by installing solar panels on residential buildings.
Today all these efforts has given them fruitful outcomes. Like drinking water from Swiss taps can be considered as clean as mineral water. People also join hands with the government by driving hybrid cars, installing fancy heating system which draws energy from the nearby lake reducing carbon output by 80%. Trashes are well managed by modern incinerators which produce minimal emissions possible.
Hence Switzerland has taken thousands of initiatives for a greener future. But this can be only possible when along with the government, the public join hands. With the whole population, in any country, these eco friendly steps are not possible. The mentality and acceptance of the public is the largest ingredient of this delicious development.
Source: https://epi.envirocenter.yale.edu/epi-country-report/CHE