Which countries have the most climate-friendly economies
Which countries are most successful in combining economic growth and climate protection can be seen when the ratio of GDP to emitted CO2-Amount is set. Germany is just below the EU average, but other countries were the most climate-friendly in 2019.
- Which countries are most successful in combining economic growth and climate protection can be seen when the ratio of GDP to emitted CO2-Amount is set.
- In this respect, Liechtenstein and Switzerland were the most climate-friendly in 2019 with around 23 and 51 kilograms of CO emissions, respectively2 per $1,000 of GDP.
- With around 169 kilos of carbon dioxide, Germany was just below the EU average in 2019.
For the exact version
Economic growth and as little CO as possible2-Emissions – two political goals that do not have to be mutually exclusive. Which countries do best in the combination can be seen when the gross domestic product (GDP) in relation to the emitted CO2-Amount is set. The result: Liechtenstein and Switzerland were the most climate-friendly in 2019 with around 23 and 51 kilograms of CO emissions, respectively2 per $1,000 GDP (chart).
Germany was in 30th place, just below the EU average of a good 174 kilos of carbon dioxide.
The global average was significantly higher at around 392 kilograms.
China and India are primarily responsible for this. With a good 10.7 billion tons, China quickly emitted so much CO in 20192 in the air, like all OECD countries together, India came in third place behind the USA with around 2.5 billion tons. Both countries end up far behind when it comes to the ratio of emissions to economic output: India in 169th place, China just five places ahead.
In complete contrast to the USA, which in absolute terms has the second most CO2 of all countries produce, but also generate by far the highest GDP and are therefore significantly higher in relation to rank 51.
With around 169 kilos of CO emitted2 per $1,000 of GDP in 2019, Germany was just below the EU average. Liechtenstein and Switzerland are the most climate-friendly in this respect.
It is therefore striking that high-income countries – according to the World Bank, those with annual gross national income (GNI) per capita of USD 12,376 or more – compared to low-income countries with GNI per capita of less than USD 1,025 only around half as many kilograms of CO2 emit every $1,000 of GDP.