The 10 most sustainable countries in the world

Each year, the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy's Environmental Performance Index (EPI) gives out the ultimate report card for countries, grading them on 32 different sustainability factors — from carbon emissions to waste management and air quality.

The report offers a clear view of how nations are progressing towards a greener, more sustainable future, highlighting a range of critical sustainability challenges from climate change to biodiversity loss and beyond.

But what exactly sets these environmental leaders apart, and what innovative green initiatives are they championing? Let's dive into the list of the world's most sustainable countries and explore some of the innovative green initiatives driving progress towards a cleaner future.

1. Estonia
   

Estonia, often celebrated for its charming medieval towns and stunning Baltic coastline, tops this year's list with a remarkable 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the past decade, thanks to a shift from oil shale to cleaner energy sources. With emissions down 59% since 1990, the country is on a mission to hit 100% renewable electricity production? by 2030. And that’s not all. Estonia’s Digital Agenda 2030 – an action plan for developing the country through digital technology over the next decade – is pushing the boundaries of tech and sustainability, blending digital savvy with green practices. Estonia also has ambitious plans to phase out fossil fuels by 2040 across the public sector, as well as implementing carbon-neutral transport and heat generation in the same year.

2. Luxembourg

Luxembourg is making waves by moving away from fossil fuels and tackling pollution head-on. Each day around 176,000 commuters from neighbouring Germany, Belgium, and France head to Luxembourg for work, contributing to carbon emissions – mostly from diesel and petrol vehicles. To tackle this, Luxembourg has rolled out numerous measures, both nationwide and locally, aimed at cutting these emissions, which include encouraging car sharing and alternative public transport. In 2020, Luxembourg became the first European nation to issue ‘green’ and ‘social’ bonds, funding eco-friendly and socially positive projects. The Luxembourg Green Exchange (LGX), the world’s first and leading platform dedicated exclusively to sustainable finance, was launched in 2016 and leads the global green bond market, hosting nearly half of all listed green bonds valued at €63 billion.

3. Germany

Renowned for its high-quality engineering and advanced technology, Germany shines as one of the top sustainable industrialised nations with substantial investments in renewables leading to a 10% drop in greenhouse gas emissions last year. Germany has also agreed to form a climate and energy alliance with Morocco to support renewable energy expansion and hydrogen production in the north African country – aiming to expand its use of hydrogen for highly polluting industrial sectors that cannot be electrified, such as steel and chemicals. Germany’s entire long-distance train network runs on 100% green electricity, and it leads Europe with more than a million electric cars on its roads.

Our E.ON Drive EV Testing Lab in Essen is a perfect example of how the country is shaping the mobility of the future – where we’re work alongside world-leading technology, automotive and sustainability brands to test and perfect charging and help drive the future towards cleaner transport.

4. Finland

Finland has long been a sustainability leader, becoming the first country to introduce a carbon tax in 1990 and cutting greenhouse gas emissions by about 20% since then. The country aims to be carbon neutral by 2035, driven by its phase-out of fossil fuels and significant investments in renewables—wind power capacity alone grew by 75% in 2022. As Europe's most forested nation, with around 80% of its land covered in trees, Finland excels in environmental protection, pollution control, and biodiversity preservation. The 2022 Climate Act further reinforces this commitment, setting ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions by 60% by 2030, 80% by 2040, and 90% by 2050.

5. United Kingdom

Back at home, the UK stands out for its excellence in waste management, sanitation and climate change action, consistently earning praise for its proactive environmental strategies. London, named as the world’s smartest and most sustainable cities, leads the nation’s push for greener energy solutions.

Our Citigen energy centre and district heating/cooling network in the Square Mile, for instance, utilises advanced tri-generation, geothermal energy and heat pump systems to slash carbon emissions by up to 50%. Meanwhile, our partnership in the ambitious Silvertown development in the Royal Docks showcases E.ON's cutting-edge ectogrid™ system, which will become the UK’s largest ambient heating and cooling network. This innovative project is set to reduce CO2 emissions by around 4,000 tonnes annually—an 88% drop compared to traditional gas boilers.

6. Sweden

Known typically for its stunning natural landscapes —think vast forests, sparkling lakes, and the awe-inspiring Northern Lights — Sweden is not just a haven for nature lovers but also a powerhouse of innovation and sustainability. The country impressively surpassed its goal of making 50% of its energy renewable by 2020 — a full eight years ahead of schedule — and remains on course to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2040.

Agriculture in Sweden has also embraced sustainable practices to minimise its environmental impact, making it one of the most sustainable agriculture industries in the world, encouraging organic farming and promoting biodiversity.

Lund’s Medicon Village showcases Sweden's commitment to green innovation, with E.ON’s groundbreaking ectogrid™ system. This decentralised energy solution provides heating and cooling through low-temperature technology, distributed heat pumps, and renewable energy storage, moving the city closer to its zero-emission target.

7. Norway

Norwegians are leading the charge in green living, from driving electric cars to heating their homes with heat pumps. Nearly all of the country’s electricity comes from renewable sources, powering everything from morning coffee to phone chargers. Norway’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its borders, with the government actively funding tropical forest conservation and advocating for global environmental protection. The nation is also pioneering green technologies: Europe’s largest green hydrogen factory recently opened near Oslo, and a nearby cement plant is set to be the first to capture carbon during concrete production. By year's end, Norway could become the first country where electric vehicles outnumber those with combustion engines.

8. Austria

Austria, with its majestic Alpine peaks, enchanting villages and rich musical heritage, is more than just a scenic wonderland. It's a country that leads by example in sustainability. Vienna, Austria’s capital, is consistently ranked among the world’s most sustainable cities, and it’s easy to see why. The city aims to be carbon neutral by 2040, with nearly half of its area dedicated to parks, gardens and green spaces. Austria has a long history of environmental preservation, pioneering sustainability since the 19th century. Today, it invests heavily in renewable energy, from hydropower to solar and heat pumps. The Austrian World Summit, one of the largest global climate change events, further underscores the nation's commitment to eco-friendly innovation.

9. Switzerland 
   

Switzerland – or should we say ‘Swiss-tainable’ is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty — turquoise lakes, majestic mountains, and clean, pure air. It’s no wonder the country is a top tourist destination. But Switzerland is also a global leader in sustainability, rapidly aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Nearly 60% of its electricity comes from hydropower thanks to its abundant rainfall and extensive mountain ranges – in fact SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) generates 90% of its train electricity from hydropower. Beyond energy, Switzerland excels in waste water treatment, carbon reduction and minimising waste and air pollution. Even the country's famous watchmakers are embracing sustainability, with many brands transitioning from leather watch bands to plant-based materials.

10. Denmark

Sustainability is deeply ingrained in Denmark’s culture, shaping its world-class green energy system and delivering a cleaner everyday life. The nation leads in climate action, with a binding Climate Act targeting a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2030. Two-thirds of Denmark's electricity now comes from clean energy, and Copenhagen is on track to become the world’s first carbon-neutral capital by 2025. Denmark also scored first in net change in tree cover, reflecting effective forest management that balances losses with regrowth. At E.ON, we’re  collaborating with Copenhagen to develop a fast-charging network supporting the world’s largest electric vehicle car-sharing initiative, further advancing Denmark’s sustainability goals.