Which of the following statements about the countries ranked below India in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is/are correct?

I) Countries ranked below India in the EPI are all developed nations with high environmental standards.
II) The countries ranked below India in the EPI have stronger air quality regulations than India.
III) All countries ranked below India in the EPI have better waste management systems compared to India.
IV) Nations that ranked below India in the EPI are four in number.

The correct answer is Only Statement I and IV are correct.

In News

• The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranks countries based on their environmental health and sustainability efforts, and India's EPI ranking raises concerns about its environmental policies and practices.

Key Points

• Statement I: Countries ranked below India in the EPI are not all developed nations with high environmental standards. In fact, many developing nations also rank below India, with challenges similar to India’s in terms of environmental practices.
• Statement II: The countries ranked below India in the EPI do not necessarily have stronger air quality regulations. Many face similar air quality challenges, particularly in urban areas.
• Statement III: Not all countries ranked below India have better waste management systems compared to India. In fact, India faces significant waste management issues, which contribute to its lower ranking in the EPI.
• Statement IV: This statement is correct. The number of countries ranked below India in the EPI is four, highlighting India’s relatively low environmental performance compared to other nations.

Additional Information

• Environmental Performance Index (EPI)
  • The EPI evaluates countries' environmental health and sustainability, considering factors like air quality, water resources, and biodiversity.
• India’s EPI Ranking
  • India ranks low in the EPI, particularly due to challenges in air pollution, waste management, and water resource management, which contribute to its environmental concerns.
• Air Quality Regulations
  • While some countries ranked below India may have stronger air quality regulations, India faces significant air pollution issues in urban and industrial areas.