While renewable energy is making ‘rapid progress’ in the countries assessed in the annual Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI 2025), published by Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute, and CAN International, many nations are still ‘clinging to prolonging the fossil fuels business model’.
The CCPI measures the progress of the world’s largest emitters in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, scaling up renewable energy, and enacting climate policies. The 63 countries (plus the European Union) featured in its report, are responsible for 90% of global emissions.
The 20th edition of the report notes that while 61 out of the 64 countries assessed have increased their share of renewable energy over the past five years, 29 countries still exhibit poor performance on emission reductions.
As in previous years, the top three positions in the ranking remain vacant – no countries perform positively enough to earn a gold, silver or bronze – with Denmark the top-ranked country, in 4th place.
The Nordic country was the only nation to achieve a ‘high performance’ in the climate policy rating, but does not perform well enough to earn an overall very high rating, according to the report.
The Netherlands (5th) and the United Kingdom (6th) follow, with the UK notably climbing the ranks due to the new Labour government’s coal phase-out and commitment to halting new fossil fuel licenses.
At the other end of the scale, countries like Iran (67th), Saudi Arabia (66th), the UAE (65th), and Russia (64th) rank lowest, with each country entrenched in fossil fuel dependency – renewable energy makes up less than 3% of their energy mix. Argentina (59th) is one of the biggest fallers, where a change of government has led to a ‘step-change in the wrong direction’.
The rise of renewables
“Large parts of the world have recognised that renewables are a cost-effective and safe choice for the energy supply,” commented Jan Burck of Germanwatch, author of the CCPI.
“Renewables are in the fast lane, especially in the electricity sector. In addition, there is an increasing electrification of the mobility, residential and industrial sectors. The trend towards electrification is continuing, while new storage technologies are developing at the same time. Nevertheless, there is still massive resistance from the fossil fuel lobby. Countries should not fall deeper into the fossil trap.”
As regards the other ‘superpowers’, China ranks 55th in the CCPI, with its significant investment in renewable energy in recent years offset by its dependence on coal and lack of sufficient climate targets.
The United States ranks 57th, with the CCPI suggesting that ‘more investment in renewables and clean transport, as well as an end to fossil fuel subsidies’ could help it rise up the rankings – unlikely given the recent re-election of “drill baby, drill” advocate Donald Trump.
India, the world’s most populous country, placed 10th, while the European Union ranks 17th.
‘A turning point’
“The world is at a turning point,” added Prof. Niklas Höhne of NewClimate Institute, and a co-author of the report. “Peak of global emissions is closely in sight. Now it is crucial that we start a rapid decline.
“Cutting emissions drastically is the only measure that can prevent further dangerous consequences of climate change. Time is running and we urgently need an emission turnaround.” Read more here.
