Today, the Fraser Institute released a new study, Environmental Ranking for Canada and the OECD, 2^nd Edition.

This study—just in time for Earth Day on April 22—ranks 33 comparable high-income countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development on a wide range of environmental indicators that relate both to the protection of human health, such as air pollution, and the preservation of Canada’s ecosystems, such as water quality. It finds that Canada’s environmental record outperforms the majority of OECD countries, despite the fact that Canada is much larger and colder by comparison, and has a large natural resources industry.

Below is the news release and accompanying infographic. Please share with your colleagues and friends.

Wishing you the best,

Niels

Niels Veldhuis | President
The Fraser Institute
1770 Burrard Street, 4th Floor, Vancouver, BC  V6J 3G7

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Canada a world leader in environmental performance

VANCOUVER—Canada’s environmental record outperforms a majority of comparable high-income countries around the world, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian policy think-tank.

“As Earth Day approaches, it’s important to acknowledge that Canada has an excellent environmental record when stacked up against the world’s richest, cleanest and most developed countries,” said Elmira Aliakbari, associate director of natural resource studies at the Fraser Institute and co-author of Environmental Ranking for Canada and the OECD.

The study ranks 33 high-income countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on a wide range of environmental indicators that relate both to the protection of human health, such as air pollution, and the preservation of Canada’s ecosystems, such as water quality.

Canada ranks 12^th overall with a score of 67 out of a possible 100.0—above the OECD average (62.2). Notably, many of the top ranked countries are clustered closely together. For example, Canada and 2^nd place New Zealand (which scored 74.7) are less than eight points apart. Sweden ranks 1^st with a score of 80.

On some important measures, Canada ranks particularly high, including 1^st and 4^th best on two separate air quality measures, 4^th best in fertilizer use and 8^th best for low-emitting electricity production.

These results are especially impressive considering that, compared to the other OECD countries, Canada is much larger and colder (which means more fuel consumption and emissions) and has a large natural resources industry.

“The reality is most wealthy, developed countries have established sound environmental protection systems, and Canada compares favourably,” Aliakbari said.

“This Earth Day, Canadians can be proud of our environmental record.”