International ranking of climate change action: An analysis using the indicators from the Climate Change Performance Index

摘要

It is hard to argue against the reality of global warming, its consequences are becoming increasingly evident not only due to the effects of extreme weather that are changing the terrain of our planet, but also due to the impact on human health. Most countries are undergoing a process of change to ensure the appropriate use of their resources, striving for excellence in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Using information from the 2021 Climate Change Performance Index, the empirical analysis carried out in this study is aimed at examining the profiles of countries' performance in tackling climate change and confirming the connection between actions and achievements. To do so, cluster analysis and contingency tables are employed. The results show that concern about the need to curb climate change does not depend on countries' wealth, and no common pattern is observed in geographically proximate areas. Furthermore, the study yields statistical evidence of the connection between climate change policies, the use of renewable energy in electricity supply and the reduction of harmful gas emissions.