Ranking countries by real-world progress toward a low-pollution economy
The 2026 Clean World Transition Index reveals accelerating progress in the global shift toward sustainable economies, with notable leaders emerging across all regions.
This comprehensive assessment evaluates 180 countries across six critical dimensions: carbon intensity, air quality, renewable energy penetration, electrification rates, waste management, and water stress resilience.
Nordic countries continue to lead, but significant improvements in Asia-Pacific and Latin America signal a broadening of the clean transition. The global average CWTI score improved by 8.3% compared to 2025, driven primarily by accelerated renewable deployment and strengthened air quality regulations.
Our index combines six key metrics to provide a holistic view of each country's environmental transition progress.
Measures carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP, indicating economic decoupling from carbon.
Composite score of PM2.5, NOx, and SOx concentrations measuring atmospheric pollution levels.
Share of renewable sources in total primary energy consumption and electricity generation.
Progress in electrifying transport, heating, and industrial processes to enable clean energy use.
Efficiency of waste management systems, recycling rates, and circular economy adoption.
Assessment of water scarcity management, efficiency, and sustainable freshwater use.
Explore the complete rankings with detailed scores across all metrics.
| Rank | Country | Overall Score | CO₂ Intensity | Air Quality | Renewables | Electrification | Waste Mgmt | Water | YoY Change |
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Detailed breakdown of global performance across each metric category.
Carbon intensity measures CO₂ emissions per unit of economic output. Lower values indicate more efficient, cleaner economies. The global average has decreased by 12.1% since 2020.
Composite measure of PM2.5, NOx, and SOx concentrations. Higher scores indicate cleaner air. Significant improvements in Asia-Pacific due to stricter emissions standards.
Share of renewable sources in primary energy mix and electricity generation. Global renewable capacity reached 4,500 GW in 2026, with solar leading growth.
Measures the shift to electric power in transport, heating, and industry. EV adoption accelerated dramatically, with 35% of new car sales being electric globally.
Evaluates recycling rates, landfill diversion, and circular economy progress. Extended producer responsibility schemes have driven significant improvements.
Assesses sustainable water use, efficiency improvements, and water stress resilience. Desalination and water recycling technologies expanding in water-scarce regions.
How different regions are progressing in the clean transition.
Key Trends: Nordic leadership continues; Eastern Europe accelerating; EU Green Deal driving policy alignment
Key Trends: China's renewable surge; Japan's hydrogen push; Southeast Asia's rapid electrification
Key Trends: Latin America's hydropower advantage; US clean energy investment surge; Canada's grid decarbonization
Key Trends: Solar leapfrogging; off-grid solutions expanding; green hydrogen potential emerging
Key Trends: UAE & Saudi diversification; water technology leadership; mega solar projects
While Norway, Denmark, and Sweden maintain top positions, the performance gap with pursuing nations has shrunk by 15% since 2023. Countries like Portugal, New Zealand, and Uruguay are rapidly catching up through aggressive renewable deployment.
China installed more renewable capacity in 2025 than the rest of the world combined. This manufacturing dominance is driving down costs globally, enabling faster transitions in developing economies.
Electric vehicles reached price parity with ICE vehicles in major markets. Heat pump adoption in Europe doubled, now covering 28% of residential heating. Industrial electrification remains the next frontier.
Global PM2.5 concentrations dropped 18.3% since 2020. Strict vehicle emission standards in the EU and China, combined with coal phase-outs, are delivering measurable health benefits.
Extended producer responsibility schemes now cover 67% of global GDP. Plastic recycling rates improved significantly, though chemical recycling scale-up remains challenging.
23% of countries now face high water stress, up from 17% in 2020. However, technological solutions like desalination and water recycling are scaling rapidly in affected regions.