Indices & benchmarks

The rankings the field is measured by.

8 flagship indices that score and rank countries on climate vulnerability, readiness, risk, environmental performance and energy transition. Each carries its latest edition and reference year, so the vintage is honest. An index ranks entities; it is distinct from the time-series policy trackers. We reference and link the source, we never blend or average scores across indices.

Showing 8 of 8 indices

ND-GAIN Country Index

External
University of Notre Dame (ND-GAIN)

Ranks 185 countries on climate vulnerability and readiness to adapt, combining 45 indicators over two decades. Latest update released June 2025 with data through 2024, widely used to compare Global-South exposure and adaptive capacity.

Adaptation & resilienceCross-cuttingGlobal SouthOpen
Checked Jul 2026Visit

Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI)

External
Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute, Climate Action Network

Ranks 63 countries and the EU, covering over 90 percent of global emissions, on greenhouse-gas emissions, renewable energy, energy use and climate policy. CCPI 2026 is the latest edition; no country scores high enough to fill the top three ranks.

Cross-cuttingEnergyGlobalOpen
Checked Jul 2026Visit

Environmental Performance Index (EPI)

External
Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy and Columbia CIESIN

Ranks 180 countries on climate change, environmental health and ecosystem vitality using 58 indicators across 11 issue categories. The 2024 EPI is the latest edition, published biennially since 2002, giving comparative sustainability scores and policy benchmarks.

Cross-cuttingForests & natureWaterGlobalOpen
Checked Jul 2026Visit

Energy Transition Index (ETI)

External
World Economic Forum with Accenture

Benchmarks around 120 countries on current energy-system performance and the readiness of the enabling environment for transition. Published annually in the Fostering Effective Energy Transition report series; the 2025 edition is the latest confirmed release.

EnergyGlobalOpen
Checked Jul 2026Visit

Global Climate Risk Index (CRI)

External
Germanwatch

Ranks 174 countries by losses from extreme weather using EM-DAT, World Bank and IMF data. CRI 2026, published November 2025, analyses 2024 impacts and a 1995-2024 trend. Germanwatch flags its own data gaps, noting Global-South impacts may be underrepresented.

Adaptation & resilienceCross-cuttingGlobal SouthOpen
Checked Jul 2026Visit

INFORM Risk Index

External
European Commission Joint Research Centre (INFORM partnership)

Ranks 191 countries on the structural risk of humanitarian crisis and disaster, combining hazard, vulnerability and coping-capacity indicators. The 2026 edition is the latest annual release, built on 74 indicators and maintained by the JRC with UN and NGO partners.

Adaptation & resilienceCross-cuttingGlobal SouthOpen
Checked Jul 2026Visit

WorldRiskIndex

External
Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft and IFHV, Ruhr University Bochum

Ranks 193 countries by disaster risk, combining exposure to natural hazards with societal vulnerability. The WorldRiskReport 2025, focused on floods, is the latest edition; the Philippines ranks highest and Africa shows the world’s highest vulnerability levels.

Adaptation & resilienceCross-cuttingGlobal SouthOpen
Checked Jul 2026Visit

Ocean Health Index (OHI)

External
Ocean Health Index (NCEAS-founded initiative)

Scores 220 coastal countries and territories on ten goals spanning food provision, livelihoods, biodiversity and clean water, blending ecological and human-wellbeing measures. Assessed annually since 2012; 2025 scores are the latest published edition.

WaterForests & natureGlobalOpen
Checked Jul 2026Visit