COP-out 16

Germanwatch and Climate Action Network Europe have developed the CCPI (Climate Change Performance Index (PDF)). More than 190 experts analyze national policies and then rank the countries. There has been little progress in the negotiations as representatives from these and other nations meet in Cancun, Mexico for COP16. And, quite frankly, little progress toward a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which runs out in 2012, was expected.

Senator Jim Inhofe is missing a grand opportunity to show American Progress by organizing Gulf of Mexico tours for COP16 attendees.

Why such pessimism? Well, the 2011 Climate Change Performance Index provides some sign. “The world’s two biggest greenhouse gas emitters dropped a few ranks compared to last year, with China now ranked 56th and the United States 54th out of 57 countries surveyed. Canada ranked last in the index,” reports the UPI.

The 2011 CCPI ranked Brazil fourth, which was the top. “The first three spots again left vacant as no countries did enough to earn the honor.” Brazil received the highest rank in the index for a reduction in emissions and for its efforts to contain deforestation.

Despite markedly improved national climate policies, “including legislation on renewable energy, which has already made it the world leader in wind energy investments,” China has such a low ranking (next to the Preening Pig), because of high overall emissions. The CCPI weighs emissions heavier than national policies.

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