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Environmentally friendly countries-alternately known as eco-friendly, nature-friendly, or green countries -are those that engage in processes and practices that minimize harm to ecosystems and the environment. The most desirable environmentally friendly practices are sustainable, meaning they can be carried out on an ongoing basis with little to no negative impact upon the world around them. The term "environmentally friendly" is often also applied to goods and services, laws, guidelines, and policies that inflict minimal (or no) damage upon the environment and ecosystems. Environmentally friendly products, processes, and practices impose no harm to the natural environment, help conserve resources like water and energy, and do not contribute to air, water, and land pollution.

How to measure a country's environmental friendliness: the Environmental Performance Index

Compiled annually by Yale University's Center for Environmental Law & Policy, the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is a statistical method of computing the collective environmental impact of all of a country's policies combined. The 2020 Environmental Performance Index ranks 180 countries across 32 performance indicators related to environmental health and ecosystem vitality, from the amount of particulate pollution in the air and the purity of drinking water to the health of fish stocks and the management of wetlands. The EPI then combines these scores into a single overall score that ranges from 100 (best) to 0 (worst). These scores provide a foundation from which governments can see how close they are to their established environmental policy goals and implement effective environmental policies.

Top 10 Most Environmentally Friendly Countries in the World (2022 EPI):

10 Least Environmentally Friendly Countries in the World (2022 EPI):

Profiles of the world's most environmentally friendly countries

As in most countries, Denmark's EPI score of 77.9 in 2022 was notably lower than its 2020 score of 82.5. Nonetheless, Denmark again earns the title of most environmentally friendly country in the world. Denmark stands out for its high scores in "nearly all issues tracked by the EPI", and garnered extra praise for its efforts in the fields of clean energy and sustainable agriculture. Denmark is also one of only a handful of countries on track to reach "net zero" CO₂ emissions by 2050. In addition to implementing some of the world's most efficient policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent climate change, Denmark has long focused upon sustainability, championing clean products such as eco-friendly hotels, solar-powered boats, and organic food.

The United Kingdom's 2022 EPI score of 77.7 was the second-highest in the world, and the country's 23-point improvement over the ten years from 2012 to 2022 was the third-highest of any country. The report's creators specifically singled out the UK's efforts to control greenhouse gas emissions-like Denmark, the UK is one of very few countries currently on schedule to reduce their net CO₂ emissions to zero by 2050. The UK was also one of six countries to post a perfect score of 100 for sanitation and drinking water, and scores high for its management of solid household fuels and soil acidification.

The country with the third-highest EPI rating (76.5) in 2022, Finland ties several other high-scoring countries for first place in several performance indicators, including Marine Protected Areas, Grassland Loss (protection), Soil Acidification, Wastewater Treatment, Household Solid Fuels, PM2.5 (air quality), Sanitation, Drinking Water, Heavy Metals, and "Black Carbon" Emissions. About 35% of Finland's power comes from renewable energy resources, and forest and wildlife conservation are high priorities.

Vaulting into fourth place is Malta, which ranked 23rd on the 2020 EPI but has improved by 25.4 points between 2012 and 2022, the biggest gain of any country in the world during that period. Malta tied for first place in categories including its protection of tree cover, its marine trophic index (which measures the quality of fish in its fisheries), the quality of its drinking water, N₂O emissions. Malta is also one of only three countries, along with Ireland and Botswana, to share a first-place ranking in greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity growth rate, which measures a country's ability to grow economically without increasing its greenhouse gas emissions.

Fifth place belongs to Sweden, which scores at or near the top in multiple categories related to air and water quality, such as Soil Acidification and PM2.5 (which measures particulate pollution in the atmosphere). Sweden also ranks second-in-the-world for Sustainable Pesticide Use, just one place behind Australia, and has the fourth-best management of Heavy Metals (lead) in the world. Sweden is one of the planet's most sustainable countries, known for its use of renewable energy sources and low carbon dioxide emissions.

The small European country of Luxembourg-the sixth-most environmentally friendly country in the world-scores well in several Biodiversity-related categories. It is ranked second in the world at protecting its various plant and animal species, behind only Botswana. Luxembourg also posts top scores in the categories of Sanitation, Waste Management, Household Solid Fuels, and Soil Acidification. Perhaps most impressive is the fact that Luxembourg has made significant progress in protecting its environmental health despite having a rapidly growing population and the highest gross domestic product per capita in the world.

The highest-ranking Eastern-European country in the 2023 EPI, Slovenia ranks only 35th in terms of overall air quality thanks to its unfortunate greenhouse gas emissions. However, it ranks second in the world in terms of overall Ecosystem Vitality, with top-ranked Terrestrial Biomes, minimal Wetland Loss and Soil Acidification, and excellent Species Protections. According to the EPI, more than 30% of Slovenia's territory is protected land, the highest percentage of any European country.

The world's eighth-most eco-friendly country, Austria ranks first in the world in the category of Ecosystem Vitality, making it the only country to score higher than Slovenia. Austria has some of the strictest standards in Europe in categories such as waste management, chemicals, and air pollution. Agricultural regulations are also stringent, specifically with regard to pesticides and fertilizers.

Ninth-ranked Switzerland has high environmental health, sustainability, water sanitation, and water resources. Switzerland's public sector is increasingly requiring eco-friendly and resource-friendly products. The country is one of the top recyclers in the world, and has strongly embraced renewable energy. For example, Switzerland's largest transportation company, SBB (Swiss Federal Railways), relies upon electric trains-and as of 2023, 90% of the trains' electricity was generated via hydropower plants.

The final country in the 2023 top ten, Iceland ranks first in the world in terms of overall Environmental Health, an umbrella category made up of indicators such as Air Quality, PM2.5 (which measures particulate air pollution), Ozone, Sanitation, Drinking Water, Waste Management, Recycling, Lead, and more. Although Iceland's environmental performance has few weaknesses, the EPI report postulates that improved grazing management in the Agriculture sector could boost Iceland's score even higher.

Alternate methods of measuring environmental friendliness

Although the EPI is arguably the most comprehensive measure of country-scale environmental friendliness, additional metrics and viewpoints exist and can offer an alternate perspective. One option is the U.S. News "Best Countries" list, which devotes an entire section to environmental topics and sustainability in particular. A third approach comes from the website InterNations, which interviewed more than 15,000 expats about the sustainability of their current countries. Both surveys' results can be seen in the tables below.

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Most Environmentally Friendly Countries 2024

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Environmentally friendly countries-alternately known as eco-friendly, nature-friendly, or green countries -are those that engage in processes and practices that minimize harm to ecosystems and the environment. The most desirable environmentally friendly practices are sustainable, meaning they can be carried out on an ongoing basis with little to no negative impact upon the world around them.

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Carbon dioxide (CO ₂) is an odorless gas that is highly important to life on Earth. CO ₂ is also known as a greenhouse gas; an excessive concentration can disrupt the natural regulation of temperature in the atmosphere and lead to global warming.

The concentration of CO ₂ has especially increased as a result of the Industrial Revolution and exponential growth in manufacturing activities around the world. Deforestation, agriculture, and fossil fuel use are the primary sources of CO ₂.

According to the most recent data from the Global Carbon Atlas, the top five countries that have produced in aggregate the most CO ₂ since the Industrial Revolution are the United States, China, Russia, Germany, and the U.K. In 2020, the largest emitters were in China, the U.S., India, Russia, and Japan.

Key Takeaways

China is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide gas in the world, with 10,668 million metric tons emitted in 2020. The primary source of CO ₂ emissions in China is fossil fuels, most notably those that burn coal. About 55% of the total energy generated by China in 2021 came from coal alone, and because coal is rich in carbon, burning it in China's power and industrial plants and boilers releases large amounts of CO ₂ into the atmosphere.

Also, China is one of the largest importers of oil, which contributes to large CO ₂ emissions through the country's use of motor vehicles. China plans to reduce its dependence on coal and decrease overall pollution in large cities in the future by generating more electricity using nuclear, renewable energy sources, and natural gas.

The U.S. is the second-largest emitter of CO ₂, with 4,713 million metric tons of total carbon dioxide emissions in 2020. The largest sources of CO 2 emissions in the U.S. came from transportation, power generation, and industry in 2020. Even though the U.S. government undertook significant efforts to reduce the reliance on coal for electricity generation, the country has become a major producer of crude oil.

Also, the U.S. economy is heavily reliant on the transportation sector, which burns petroleum for trucks, ships, trains, and planes. U.S. consumers especially depend on their cars as their primary means of transportation, and this also contributes to the CO ₂ footprint through gasoline and diesel.

Another large contributor to CO 2 emissions in the U.S. is industry, which burns fossil fuels for energy. Also, the U.S. chemical sector uses various chemical reactions necessary to produce goods from raw materials, which in the process, emit CO ₂.

India is the third-largest CO ₂ emitter, with 2,442 million metric tons of total carbon dioxide emissions produced in 2020. Coal is the main energy source for India, supplying about 45% of the energy in the country. Petroleum and other liquids provided about 26%.

Natural gas accounts for only 6% of India's energy consumption; however, the country plans to increase the natural gas market share to 15% by 2030 in order to reduce air pollution and use cleaner-burning fuels.

Russia is the fourth-largest contributor to CO ₂ emissions in the world, emitting 1,577 million metric tons in 2020. Russia has one of the largest natural gas deposits in the world, and natural gas is the primary source of energy and power generation in the country.

Coal, which is widely used in chemical and other basic material industries and for power generation in Russia, is also a major contributor to Russia's CO ₂ emissions. Russia has also been a large supplier of natural gas to other countries, primarily in Europe; however, European countries have been cutting back on Russian natural gas due to the country's invasion of Ukraine, and Russia is also cutting back on its supply of gas to Europe.

Japan is the fifth-largest producer of CO ₂ emissions, with 1,577 million metric tons in 2020. Japan's energy fuel mix changed after the 2011 nuclear accident at Fukushima. Oil is the largest source of energy in Japan, with its total share of energy consumption being 40% in 2019 (the latest figure available).

Coal still makes up a large share of energy consumption in Japan: 26%. Nuclear gas is becoming more prominent in Japan after the nuclear disaster and now accounts for 21% of energy consumption as of 2019. The country's energy plan from 2018 has the goal of increasing nuclear-fired power production by 2030 to reduce the dependency on hydrocarbon fuel imports.

Which Countries Have Produced the Most Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions?

The countries that have produced the most carbon dioxide (CO ₂) emissions since 1750 have been the United States, China, Russia, Germany, the U.S., and Japan.

What Is the Main Source of CO2 Emissions?

Burning coal is the most significant contributor to anthropogenic CO ₂ emissions. Across all fossil fuels, coal is the most carbon-intensive. Given how inexpensive and ubiquitous a source of energy coal is, it has powered electricity grids for decades worldwide.

Why Are China's Emissions So High?

As the world's second-largest manufacturer, much of China's industrial production is powered by coal. In addition, rapid urbanization has intensified CO ₂ emissions. Cement and steel production, required for infrastructure, produce significant amounts of C0 ₂. Half of the world's steel is manufactured in China.

Correction― Oct. 10, 2022: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the timeframe under consideration and referred to metric tons rather than millions of metric tons (megatonnes).

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The 5 Countries That Produce the Most Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

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Carbon dioxide (CO 2) is an odorless gas that is highly important to life on Earth. CO 2 is also known as a greenhouse gas; an excessive concentration can disrupt the natural regulation of temperature in the atmosphere and lead to global warming.

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The World's Most Environmentally Friendly Countries

Some countries work very hard to protect nature, keep their air and water clean, and use energy wisely. Scientists give each country a score based on how well they take care of the environment. Here are the top 10 most eco-friendly countries in the world.

1. Denmark – 77.9

Denmark is the most environmentally friendly country in the world. It uses clean energy, grows food in a way that helps the earth, and works hard to stop pollution. Denmark is also one of the few countries that plans to reduce its pollution to almost zero by 2050. The country has eco-friendly hotels, solar-powered boats, and lots of organic food.

2. United Kingdom – 77.7

The United Kingdom (UK) is second on the list. Over the last ten years, it has made big improvements in protecting the environment. Like Denmark, the UK is working to reduce pollution to zero by 2050. It also has very clean drinking water and good waste management.

3. Finland – 76.5

Finland comes in third place. It protects its forests and wildlife and uses clean energy. About 35% of its power comes from renewable sources, like wind and water. Finland also keeps its air and water very clean.

4. Malta – 75.2

Malta made the biggest improvement of any country in the last ten years! It protects its trees and oceans and has some of the cleanest drinking water. Malta also controls pollution very well and is one of the best countries at reducing greenhouse gases.

5. Sweden – 72.7

Sweden is one of the most sustainable countries. It has clean air, safe water, and uses very few harmful chemicals. Sweden also does a great job using renewable energy and keeping carbon dioxide levels low.

6. Luxembourg – 72.3

Luxembourg is small but very environmentally friendly. It is one of the best countries at protecting plants and animals. It also has great systems for sanitation, waste management, and air quality. Even though Luxembourg’s population is growing fast, it still protects the environment well.

7. Slovenia – 67.3

Slovenia has the most protected land in Europe—more than 30% of the country is a nature reserve! It does a great job protecting animals, forests, and wetlands. However, it still struggles with air pollution.

8. Austria – 66.5

Austria is the best country in the world for protecting ecosystems. It has very strict rules about waste, chemicals, and air pollution. Farmers in Austria also use fewer harmful pesticides and fertilizers.

9. Switzerland – 65.9

Switzerland focuses on keeping its environment clean and healthy. It is one of the best countries at recycling and using clean energy. Most of its trains run on electricity from water power!

10. Iceland – 62.9

Iceland has the best air and water quality in the world. The country works hard to keep pollution low and recycle waste. However, it could improve how it takes care of farmland and grazing animals.

These countries are leading the way in protecting our planet. They show that with effort and good policies, we can all live in a cleaner, greener world!

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Carbon dioxide (CO ₂) is an odorless gas that is highly important to life on Earth. CO ₂ is also known as a greenhouse gas; an excessive concentration can disrupt the natural regulation of temperature in the atmosphere and lead to global warming.

The concentration of CO ₂ has especially increased as a result of the Industrial Revolution and exponential growth in manufacturing activities around the world. Deforestation, agriculture, and fossil fuel use are the primary sources of CO ₂.

According to the most recent data from the Global Carbon Atlas, the top five countries that have produced in aggregate the most CO ₂ since the Industrial Revolution are the United States, China, Russia, Germany, and the U.K. In 2020, the largest emitters were in China, the U.S., India, Russia, and Japan.

Key Takeaways

China is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide gas in the world, with 10,668 million metric tons emitted in 2020. The primary source of CO ₂ emissions in China is fossil fuels, most notably those that burn coal. About 55% of the total energy generated by China in 2021 came from coal alone, and because coal is rich in carbon, burning it in China's power and industrial plants and boilers releases large amounts of CO ₂ into the atmosphere.

Also, China is one of the largest importers of oil, which contributes to large CO ₂ emissions through the country's use of motor vehicles. China plans to reduce its dependence on coal and decrease overall pollution in large cities in the future by generating more electricity using nuclear, renewable energy sources, and natural gas.

The U.S. is the second-largest emitter of CO ₂, with 4,713 million metric tons of total carbon dioxide emissions in 2020. The largest sources of CO 2 emissions in the U.S. came from transportation, power generation, and industry in 2020. Even though the U.S. government undertook significant efforts to reduce the reliance on coal for electricity generation, the country has become a major producer of crude oil.

Also, the U.S. economy is heavily reliant on the transportation sector, which burns petroleum for trucks, ships, trains, and planes. U.S. consumers especially depend on their cars as their primary means of transportation, and this also contributes to the CO ₂ footprint through gasoline and diesel.

Another large contributor to CO 2 emissions in the U.S. is industry, which burns fossil fuels for energy. Also, the U.S. chemical sector uses various chemical reactions necessary to produce goods from raw materials, which in the process, emit CO ₂.

India is the third-largest CO ₂ emitter, with 2,442 million metric tons of total carbon dioxide emissions produced in 2020. Coal is the main energy source for India, supplying about 45% of the energy in the country. Petroleum and other liquids provided about 26%.

Natural gas accounts for only 6% of India's energy consumption; however, the country plans to increase the natural gas market share to 15% by 2030 in order to reduce air pollution and use cleaner-burning fuels.

Russia is the fourth-largest contributor to CO ₂ emissions in the world, emitting 1,577 million metric tons in 2020. Russia has one of the largest natural gas deposits in the world, and natural gas is the primary source of energy and power generation in the country.

Coal, which is widely used in chemical and other basic material industries and for power generation in Russia, is also a major contributor to Russia's CO ₂ emissions. Russia has also been a large supplier of natural gas to other countries, primarily in Europe; however, European countries have been cutting back on Russian natural gas due to the country's invasion of Ukraine, and Russia is also cutting back on its supply of gas to Europe.

Japan is the fifth-largest producer of CO ₂ emissions, with 1,577 million metric tons in 2020. Japan's energy fuel mix changed after the 2011 nuclear accident at Fukushima. Oil is the largest source of energy in Japan, with its total share of energy consumption being 40% in 2019 (the latest figure available).

Coal still makes up a large share of energy consumption in Japan: 26%. Nuclear gas is becoming more prominent in Japan after the nuclear disaster and now accounts for 21% of energy consumption as of 2019. The country's energy plan from 2018 has the goal of increasing nuclear-fired power production by 2030 to reduce the dependency on hydrocarbon fuel imports.

Which Countries Have Produced the Most Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions?

The countries that have produced the most carbon dioxide (CO ₂) emissions since 1750 have been the United States, China, Russia, Germany, the U.S., and Japan.

What Is the Main Source of CO2 Emissions?

Burning coal is the most significant contributor to anthropogenic CO ₂ emissions. Across all fossil fuels, coal is the most carbon-intensive. Given how inexpensive and ubiquitous a source of energy coal is, it has powered electricity grids for decades worldwide.

Why Are China's Emissions So High?

As the world's second-largest manufacturer, much of China's industrial production is powered by coal. In addition, rapid urbanization has intensified CO ₂ emissions. Cement and steel production, required for infrastructure, produce significant amounts of C0 ₂. Half of the world's steel is manufactured in China.

Correction― Oct. 10, 2022: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the timeframe under consideration and referred to metric tons rather than millions of metric tons (megatonnes).

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The 5 Countries That Produce the Most Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

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Carbon dioxide (CO 2) is an odorless gas that is highly important to life on Earth. CO 2 is also known as a greenhouse gas; an excessive concentration can disrupt the natural regulation of temperature in the atmosphere and lead to global warming.

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Countries That Produce the Most Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a gas that makes the Earth warmer. Most CO₂ comes from burning fuels like coal, oil, and gas. The five countries that produce the most CO₂ are:

1. China

2. United States

3. India

4. Russia

5. Japan

How CO₂ Affects the Earth

According to NASA, the amount of CO₂ in the air has gone up by 50% in the last 200 years. This is because of factories, transportation, and energy production. Too much CO₂ leads to climate change, making the Earth hotter, causing stronger storms, and melting ice in the polar regions.

The Top 5 CO₂-Producing Countries

1. China

Total CO₂ Emissions (2023): 11,903 million metric tons

Main cause: Coal power plants and industries

Details: Over half (58%) of China’s energy comes from burning coal, which releases a lot of CO₂. China also imports oil, which adds to pollution from cars and trucks.

Future Plans: China is working on using more nuclear power, solar energy, and natural gas to reduce pollution.

2. United States

Total CO₂ Emissions (2023): 4,911 million metric tons

Main cause: Transportation, power plants, and industry

Details: The U.S. burns a lot of oil for cars, trucks, planes, and ships. Factories also use fossil fuels to make products, adding more CO₂ to the air.

Future Plans: The U.S. is trying to use less coal and more clean energy like wind and solar power.

3. India

Total CO₂ Emissions (2023): 3,062 million metric tons

Main cause: Coal power plants

Details: About 44% of India’s energy comes from coal. Oil and gas are also used for power and transportation.

Future Plans: India wants to increase its use of natural gas to reduce pollution by 2030.

4. Russia

Total CO₂ Emissions (2023): 1,816 million metric tons

Main cause: Natural gas and coal power

Details: Russia uses a lot of natural gas for energy. It also burns coal in industries like steel-making.

Future Plans: Russia sells natural gas to other countries, but its gas sales to Europe have gone down since 2022.

5. Japan

Total CO₂ Emissions (2023): 989 million metric tons

Main cause: Oil and coal power

Details: After a big nuclear accident in 2011, Japan started using more oil and coal for energy.

Future Plans: Japan wants to use more nuclear power by 2030 to reduce pollution.

What’s the Biggest Cause of CO₂?

The biggest cause of CO₂ pollution is burning coal.

Coal is cheap and easy to use, so many countries still burn it for energy.

Why Does China Produce So Much CO₂?

China has many factories that make products for the world.

Cities are growing fast, and building materials like steel and cement release CO₂.

China makes half of the world’s steel, which adds a lot of CO₂ to the air.

Final Thoughts

CO₂ is a big reason for climate change. While some CO₂ is needed to keep the Earth warm, too much is harmful. Countries are working to use cleaner energy, but more action is needed to reduce pollution and protect our planet.

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You have three research material resources to read through. These are articles and videos online.

I have provided a simpler reading version of the article. You can choose one based on your comfort level.

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In regions around the world, the climate crisis is causing more frequent and intense extreme weather events. From droughts to hurricanes to floods, these climate extremes are driving more people into severe hunger and poverty. During a global food crisis - the likes of which we have never seen in modern history - the climate crisis is making an already dire situation even worse.

How Does Climate Change Cause Hunger?

We are living in unparalleled times. Rising global temperatures and changes in weather patterns are causing more frequent and intense heat waves, droughts, wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and other extreme weather events. We witnessed this trend last year when flash floods put one-third of Pakistan underwater and severe drought in the Horn of Africa pushed millions of people closer to starvation.

Extreme weather events displace people from their homes, kill livestock, destroy vital infrastructure and farmland and often increase food prices. Communities are then cut off from reliable sources of food, farmers can no longer grow crops and families cannot afford basic meals. What's worse is once communities slowly starts to rebuild, they are knocked down yet again by another climate-related disaster.

Here are eight countries and regions that are experiencing these severe impacts of the climate crisis.

1) South Sudan - Floods & Drought

As one of the most rapidly warming areas in the world, South Sudan is on the frontlines of the climate crisis. The country's temperatures are increasing at two and half times the global average. This has resulted in extreme weather events including four consecutive years of flooding that have left half the country underwater.

South Sudan is simultaneously drowning and drying as the climate crisis tightens its grip: An unprecedented flooding crisis has swallowed large swathes of the country while other parts are grappling with devastating drought. For some, the floods have resulted in extreme food scarcity and forced some families to depend on wild foods like water lilies to cope. 64% of the country's population (7.7 million people out of 12 million total) are experiencing severe hunger.

In January of 2023, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) assisted 1.1 million people including 800,000 people affected by the floods. In Unity State, we are working with communities to battle the invasive hyacinth weed - an invasive plant that blocks waterways and emits a large amount of methane when it decomposes. The women in Unity State turn the hyacinth weed into fuel for cooking fires. Not only is this fuel safe and sustainable, it saves women from having to travel long, dangerous distances to collect firewood.
Learn more about South Sudan >
2) Madagascar - Cyclones, Droughts & Floods

In February of 2022, Madagascar was hit with four tropical cyclones: Emnati, Dumako, Batsirai and Ana. These storms destroyed infrastructure, decimated rice crops just weeks away from harvest and left over 270,000 people in urgent need of food assistance.

Madagascar is one of Africa's most disaster-prone and food-insecure countries. Nearly 2 million people in Madagascar are experiencing severe hunger and are in need of humanitarian assistance. In the south, the driest conditions in 40 years forced Madagascans to survive by eating locusts, raw red cactus fruits and wild leaves.

Madagascar boasts invaluable contributions to the world's biodiversity with species of plants and animals that can't be found anywhere else. This is why the U.N. World Food Programme works to preserve the environment and implement nature-based solutions including reforestation. In 2022, 155,000 people were enrolled in an asset creation program to build resilience against climate-related threats to their environment.
Learn more about Madagascar >
3) Pakistan - Floods

From June to October of 2022, Pakistan was hit by what United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described as "monsoon(s) on steroids". During this time period, heavy rainfall caused flooding and landslides at a rate nearly ten times the national 30-year average. The floods affected nearly 33 million people, damaged 4.4 million acres (about twice the area of Connecticut) of agricultural land and killed 800,000 livestock.

In the aftermath, rising food prices exacerbated already stressed levels of hunger and malnutrition in the country. The number of people experiencing severe hunger has more than doubled since the floods hit in June: Today, 14.6 million people are experiencing severe hunger in Pakistan.

Pakistan's malnutrition rates are dire. More than half of children under 5 have a vitamin A deficiency, 40% have a zinc and Vitamin D deficiency and 62% are anemic. To address these micronutrient deficiencies, the U.N. World Food Programme provides children with specialized nutritious foods that are fortified with vitamins and minerals. To address recovery from the monsoons, the U.N. World Food Programme is restoring the country's flood protection walls and ground water channels. These assets will be built back stronger to endure the summer monsoon rains and facilitate a continued flow of clean drinking water.
Learn more about Pakistan >
4) Somalia - Drought

There is no end in sight to the drought in Somalia. For the past five rainy seasons, rainfall has been below adequate levels for harvesting and keeping livestock. This has resulted in almost total crop failure and a lack of rural employment opportunities.

Every failed rainy season makes recovery from the crisis even more challenging for families. 5 million people in Somalia are facing crisis levels of hunger, including 200,000 people experiencing the very worst form of hunger.

As the largest humanitarian agency in Somalia, the U.N. World Food Programme has the reach and expertise to support communities impacted by the climate crisis. Through our anticipatory cash transfers and early warning systems, we equip people with the resources and knowledge to protect themselves against potential dry seasons. This program has already benefited 117,612 individuals across Hudur and Wajiid districts of Bakool.
Learn more about Somalia >
5) Sudan - Droughts & Floods

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, Sudan is one of the world's most vulnerable countries to climate variability and climate change. The country has not had a moment of relief through decades of droughts, rainfall variability, depleting water sources and expansive desertification.

In Sudan, climate shocks and conflict are driving hunger: Last year, ongoing flooding disrupted the planting season while conflict prevented families from accessing farmland. An estimated 15 million people (about twice the population of New Jersey) are severely hungry. Mothers and children have been hit hardest by the crisis. Over 4 million young children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are acutely malnourished.

The U.N. World Food Programme has been present in Sudan since 1963. Since then, we have been consistent in our aim to reduce hunger and malnutrition as well as enhance communities' resilience to shocks across the country. In 2023, we plan to assist more than 7.6 million people. However, due to the country's security situation the U.N. World Food Programme has suspended their operations in Sudan.

6) Chad - Droughts & Floods

In the fall of 2022, Chad experienced the worst flooding in 30 years. UNICEF reported that more than 1 million people were affected and 1,149,114 acres of farmland were devastated. In response, the U.N. World Food Programme stepped up its emergency operations and aimed to reach 300,000 flood-affected people.

The heavy rains and flooding came at a devastating time for Chad. Only a few months prior, the government had declared a national food and nutrition emergency. Many in the country are dependent on farming and livestock to sustain themselves. However, unpredictable rain patterns and frequent droughts make these livelihoods unreliable sources of food. 2.1 million people were left acutely hungry after the 2022 lean season - the dangerous period of time in between planting and harvest where economic opportunities are rare.

Chad, due to the decline in biodiversity of their drylands through desertification, has been slow to introduce clean cooking. People burn biomass materials such as wood, animal dung or crop waste in open fires and inefficient stoves. This process creates harmful household air pollution. In response, the U.N. World Food Programme supplied households, restaurants and street vendors in eastern Chad with liquid petroleum gas. Since implementing liquid petroleum gas, households have seen improved indoor air quality and decreased air pollutants being released into the atmosphere - benefits that help the health of both people and their environment.

7) The Sahel - Droughts, Wildfires & Floods

The climate crisis is having a significant impact on the Sahel - a region that spans across Africa from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea and includes Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. The region is experiencing increasing temperatures and unpredictable rainfall patterns that have resulted in more frequent and severe droughts. These shocks are exacerbating existing challenges including hunger and poverty. Today, nearly 13 million people in the region are experiencing severe hunger.

The U.N. World Food Programme takes a holistic approach to addressing the impacts of the climate crisis. Through our Greening the Sahel project, we work with local communities in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger to plant trees to combat desertification and restore degraded land.
Learn more about the Sahel >
8) The Dry Corridor - Droughts, Hurricanes & Floods

The dry corridor, a region in Central America, is experiencing the devastating effects of the climate crisis. Droughts, heatwaves and unpredictable rainfall patterns have led to crop failures and forced migration. The situation is particularly dire for small-scale farmers and indigenous populations, as they are disproportionately affected by the impacts of the climate crisis.

Due to prolonged dry spells and excessive rains, farmers in countries such as El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala are unable to grow enough food. Many families have had to resort to selling tools and animals to turn a profit, skipping meals and eating less nutritious food.

Farmers in El Salvador are leading the Dry Corridor into a more hopeful future. With support from the U.N. World Food Programme, three farmers have converted a dry strip of land in Cacaopera into a lush haven by using hydroponic technology. Now, they can grow fresh produce such as chilis and bell peppers despite the dry conditions.
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How WFP Helps Communities Build Resilience to Climate Shocks

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The 8 Countries Most Affected by Climate Change - World Food Program USA

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In regions around the world, the climate crisis is causing more frequent and intense extreme weather events. From droughts to hurricanes to floods, these climate extremes are driving more people into severe hunger and poverty.

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The World Food Program USA has identified eight countries most affected by climate change, where extreme weather events are significantly exacerbating hunger and poverty:​World Food Program USA+1World Food Program USA+1

1. South Sudan – Floods & Drought: Experiencing four consecutive years of flooding, with some regions also facing severe drought, leading to 64% of the population (7.7 million people) suffering from severe hunger. ​

2. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – Floods & Drought: The DRC faces both floods and droughts, disrupting agriculture and livelihoods, and contributing to food insecurity. ​WIRED+6World Food Program USA+6World Food Program USA+6

3. Niger – Drought: Niger is grappling with prolonged droughts that have devastated crops and livestock, affecting food availability and livelihoods. ​World Food Program USA

4. Somalia – Drought: With five consecutive failed rainy seasons, Somalia is facing almost total crop failure and livestock deaths, leaving 5 million people in crisis levels of hunger, including 200,000 experiencing the most severe form. ​World Food Program USA+3World Food Program USA+3AP News+3

5. Sudan – Droughts & Floods: Sudan experiences both droughts and unprecedented flooding, disrupting agriculture and livelihoods, with 15 million people severely hungry. ​World Food Program USA

6. Haiti – Hurricanes, Earthquakes & Floods: Haiti faces multiple climate-induced disasters, including hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods, leading to widespread displacement and food insecurity. ​

7. Chad – Droughts & Floods: Chad is affected by both droughts and floods, impacting agriculture and contributing to high levels of hunger and malnutrition. ​

8. Zimbabwe – Droughts & Cyclones: Zimbabwe is experiencing severe droughts and cyclones, leading to crop failures and water shortages, with nearly 7 million people facing hunger. ​World Food Program USA+1World Food Program USA+1

These countries are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, where extreme weather events are not only destroying livelihoods but also driving millions into severe hunger and poverty. ​