Iraq has worst environment record

[alan_coaks_3]

2 - 26 - 2012

EBRIL, Feb. 26 (AKnews) - Iraq has been ranked the worst country (out of 132) in the Environment Protection Index, and trends show the country's performance is in decline.

132 nations have been ranked across 10 environmental policy categories, including air and water pollution, climate change and biodiversity the Yale and Columbia Universities with the World Economic Forum.

Iraq performed the worst for biodiversity, access to drinking water and the vitality of its ecosystem.

Iraq also fared poorly in the category of fisheries management. However, the government recently announced plans to boost local fishing farms.

The EPI also measure the performance of a country over time, and Iraq is show to be declining in performance.

Angel Hsu, EPI's Yale-based project director, told Radio Free Europe that Iraq's position is understandable given that government-building trumps environmental concerns.

He added that for Baghdad to move up, they must tackle substantial habitat degradation, water management issues and air pollution.

The EPI, based on data from the World Bank, the UN, and other institutions, highlights both the achievements and shortcomings of countries and is used as a guide for policymakers.

Joining Iraq at the bottom of the index is Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, while topping the list is Switzerland, Latvia, Norway, Luxembourg, and Costa Rica.

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