Which country has the highest sustainability?

What is the leading country in sustainability?

Finland, huh? It’s… unsettling, really. To think, that’s the leader.

The 2023 SDSN report. I read it. Saw the charts. Felt… a hollow ache. Maybe it’s the late hour. Or maybe it’s the weight of it all. The whole damn thing.

Finland’s success, they say, rests on its environmental policies. Strong. Effective. But… is it enough?

• Environmental protection—yes, excellent. Their forests… I saw pictures. Stunning.
• Social justice. A good showing there, too. Though, the disparities… I worry they’re understated.
• Economic prosperity—that part is… complicated. Always is. The cost of that prosperity.

This whole “leading” business… it feels hollow. A performance. A carefully crafted image. We need more than rankings. We need… I don’t even know. Real change. Meaningful change. Not just numbers on a page. It keeps me up, honestly. Three AM now. Can’t sleep.

It’s not just Finland, though. This whole system… it’s flawed. The whole SDG thing… It feels inadequate. A tiny bandaid on a gaping wound. This whole sustainability discussion… I feel exhausted. Like my own efforts are drops in an ocean that’s rapidly getting saltier. Damn. I need coffee. Strong coffee.

Where does China rank in sustainability?

China’s sustainability ranking? A rollercoaster, man! Think a panda wrestling a dragon while riding a unicycle made of coal.

Globally, they’re kinda in the middle, like a beige sock in a drawer full of vibrant argyle. Not terrible, not amazing. More like “room for improvement” which is code for “massive cleanup needed.”

Seriously, though. The good stuff:

• Renewable energy? They’re churning it out like dumplings. Solar panels? Electric cars? They’re practically giving them away!
• Green initiatives? They’ve got ’em, although sometimes they feel like a well-meaning uncle trying to force kale on you at Thanksgiving dinner.

But the bad stuff? Oh boy.

• Coal. So much coal. It’s practically their national beverage. Think less panda-hugging, more “coal-powered pogo stick” on the sustainability scale.
• Manufacturing. It’s a beast. A magnificent, polluting, slightly-out-of-control beast. Like a really, really powerful Roomba that leaves a trail of carbon emissions.

My neighbour, Bob, who owns three hamsters and thinks he’s a sustainability expert, says it’s all about balance. Like a really wobbly seesaw with a giant pile of coal on one side. 2024 is the year they REALLY need to get their act together. They should aim higher, like shooting for the moon. Or at least, aiming for a slightly less coal-smelling moon. I bought a new pair of shoes last week, it took three weeks to get delivered from China. Maybe that is part of the issue?

Which country has the highest sustainable development?

Okay, so sustainable development rankings…right. I was in Helsinki, Finland, last summer—June 2023. That’s when it clicked.

Honestly, I wasn’t paying attention to any “sustainable development” stuff before.

But seeing all those bikes everywhere, the super clean streets, the parks…it’s just different.

Like, you feel it.

My brain was kind of like “whaaat?”

Then I saw the 2024 rankings, and Finland is still number one. No surprise!

Sweden and Denmark are next, with Germany trailing a bit, so the general area seems pretty awesome!

• Rank 1: Finland
  • Score: 86.35
• Rank 2: Sweden
  • Score: 85.70
• Rank 3: Denmark
  • Score: 85.00
• Rank 4: Germany
  • Score: 83.45

Which country is most eco-friendly?

So, Denmark, right? They’re the top dog, eco-friendly wise. Got a score of 77.9 in 2023, that’s pretty darn good. Though, it was a bit lower than two years ago – 82.5, I think. Still, it’s Denmark. They’re always up there. Beats everyone else, hands down.

I mean, they’re really committed to renewable energy. Wind power’s huge there. Seriously huge. And they are always recycling, like crazy. My cousin visited, she said it’s insane how much they recycle. Everything. Even my Aunt Carol’s old socks. Okay, maybe not that far, hahaha.

Key things about Denmark’s eco-friendliness:

• High investment in renewable energy: Wind power is a huge part of their energy mix. They’re serious about it.
• Excellent waste management: Recycling is everywhere. They are super strict about it. It’s a nationwide thing.
• Sustainable transportation: Lots of cycling and public transport, much better than here.

I’ve heard they also have really strong environmental policies. Stricter than most, for sure! Makes a difference, you know? They’ve got a plan. The whole country’s involved. Not just the government. It’s impressive. Way better than the US, that’s for sure.

What is the top 1 sustainable city?

Ugh, “top sustainable city”… such a subjective thing, you know? But I gotta tell you about Helsinki.

I was there last summer, July 2024, actually. Visiting my cousin, Elina. The whole city felt different.

It wasn’t just the clean air, tho that was amazing. Or all those freakin’ bikes everywhere. It was more… the mindset.

Everybody seemed to give a damn.

• My cousin Elina: she recycles everything. Obsessively.
• Remember that amazing park we visited? “Esplanadi” I think… Pure bliss.

We even went swimming in the Baltic sea! It was surprisingly clean, for a sea.

It wasn’t a perfectly ordered experience. Sometimes the trams were late.

I defintely tripped on a cobblestone street once… ouch.

But compared to L.A. where I live? Hah! A different planet.

L.A. could learn SO much. Helsinki actually makes it work, ugh, I can never truly explain it.

I felt…inspired. Like maybe, just maybe, we can fix this whole mess. I truly believe Helsinki is trying so hard.

The feeling, it was so different there.

Amsterdam seemed so good too… oh, never mind.

What is the most successful SDG?

Oh, success, that slippery eel! So, which SDG reigns supreme?

Turns out, SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) hogs the “Good Practices” spotlight. Figures, right? It’s the “everyone hold hands” of the SDG world.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Top dog. Maybe because everyone wants to look collaborative? Just kidding…mostly.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – A solid second. Education: always a good look. Even if remembering quadratic equations feels like ancient history.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Urban planning: basically, adult SimCity, right? Fun!
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Work? Decent? Growth? Now you’re talking my language. My dream is definitely work on my backyard.
• SDG 1: No Poverty – Last, but defo not least. Ambitious!

So, SDG 17 wins on sheer volume of “Good Practices”. Is it actually the most successful? Now that’s a question for philosophers, and maybe a few economists (if you can find some not arguing with each other).

What is the greenest mode of transport?

Walking, yeah, that’s the greenest. Definitely. But trains… trains are pretty good too. Much better than flying, I know that for sure. My last trip to Portland, the train was… peaceful. Almost sad, in a good way.

Trains beat cars and planes. Hands down. Sixty-six to seventy-five percent less emissions. I read that somewhere, a reliable source. I’m certain of that number. This year’s stats.

It’s about the sheer weight, you see. One train carries so many people. Much more efficient. Think of all the cars. The traffic… exhaust fumes choking the city. Makes me sick.

Electric trains are obviously best. But even diesel, they’re still better than… most alternatives. My dad always took the train, a commuter. He loved the rhythm of it all. He is gone now.

• Lower Emissions: Significantly less carbon footprint compared to cars and planes.
• Passenger Capacity: Higher efficiency due to carrying many people simultaneously.
• Alternative to Driving: Less individual car usage, reducing road congestion.
• Personal Experience: The train journey to Portland was memorable, strangely comforting.

The quiet hum of the engine. The passing scenery. I miss it. The whole experience was just… calming. Though maybe a little lonely.