Going green seems to be the new fad and there are whole countries that have upped their efforts to reduce their impact on the environment. Here are 10 countries that have set the stage to creating a ‘Greener’ Earth. All of these countries have found ways to reduce their carbon and sulphur emissions which leads to cleaner air and water. This list is based on each country’s Environmental Performance Index (EPI) rating provided by Yale University.
10. Colombia (76.8): It is said Colombia is home to 10 percent of various species found throughout the world. Scientists have also discovered it may be home to as many as 10 new amphibians species. The Colombian government has made efforts to turn the country into one that is eco-friendly. TO do so, numerous national parks, some including native medicinal plants, have been opened, like the Orito Igni-Ande Medicinal Flora Sanctuary. Also, architects in Colombia have started to use bamboo, which they say is just as durable and reliable as a means to building structures. Even fashion has gone green in Colombia – designer Maria Nubia Ayala has created a line of clothing using leaves and flowers.
9. Cuba (78.1): Cuba has never been a country that has been extremely harsh to the environment. Most who live in the country either travel by bicycle or foot, and many make their money by selling crops and raising livestock. However, there have been times when illegal pesticides were used as well as land that was abandoned. To fix this, the country has put forth effort to reuse farm land, decrease the use of harmful pesticides, and to lower the sea level to ensure that salt from the water does not ruin the rich soil. Cuba has also decided to only use organic products on all farms. Cuba has decided to put a lot of effort and money into using hydroelectric energy. In 2008, it began connecting many homes and businesses located in Guamá to a hydro-electric power station. Once it is all said and done and the 30 rivers located near or in Guamá are used, almost 7,000 people will have clean electricity.
8. Austria (78.1): The 2010 Winter Olympics were just one place where Austria planted its green footprint. To house the Austrian Olympic Committee as well as several broadcasters, the country built a ‘passive house’ in Whistler, BC. The passive house is self-regulatory and is able to heat and cool when necessary. Austria has teamed up with the Czech Republic in order to plant eco-friendly gardens across the border between the two countries. There are already 330,000 gardens in Austria and 6,800 of them are natural and eco-friendly.
7. France (78.2): France is earning a reputation as an eco-friendly country. It now gets 80 per cent of its electricity from the use of nuclear power. Alès, a commune in France, is said to be one of the greenest locations in the country. The commune is home to one of only three buildings that utilizes solar panels as a means for energy. To encourage the use of solar panels, the country offers a reduction in taxes if a home-owner decides to use solar energy in their home. France as a whole has decided to utilize more wood and straw bales to construct. It is said that straw bales are very sturdy, eco-friendly, renewable, and even provide for great thermal insulation.
6. Mauritius (80.6): Mauritius is an island off the coast of Africa and east of Madagascar. The country wants to focus on recycling and finding ways to reuse items. This includes burning solid waste instead of storing or dumping it. Finance Minister Rama Sithanen wants to rely on renewable and cleaner types of energy. The country is focusing on wind power and using sugar cane plants to create fuel, especially for boilers.
5. Norway (81.1): By 2030, Norway hopes to be a country that is carbon neutral. This means the country plans to find ways so that there are no green-house gases emitted. But, before 2030, the country also plans to cut its total emissions to 40 per cent. Norway has also planned to set aside large amounts of money to put towards other green-friendly ideas. For example, it wants to focus heavily on utilizing railroads more, as well as finding an alternative source for fuel. Those who use diesel fuel will have to pay a higher fee for it. Norway hopes to have all businesses in the country run with flexible energy systems and from 2009 on, the use of oil-powered heating systems has been banned. The country also hopes to cut down on the amount of deforestation. 
4. Sweden (86): Sweden has a plan to phase out the use of fossil fuels by 2020; however, these efforts didn’t just begin. The change started in 1980s during the oil crisis and today 28 per cent of the energy and resources used in Sweden are renewable and eco-friendly. The country has focused on the use of hydropower, nuclear power, and wind power to provide electricity and other necessities throughout Sweden. One major way Sweden is going green is by using every piece of their forests. Though the trees are often used for various lumber projects, there is usually sawdust left behind. The government has decided sawdust can be manufactured into wood pellets, which are sold to homeowners to generate heat. Sweden has also decided to cut back on the amount of fuel needed for transportation. Many citizens in Sweden now power their cars using methane, which is taken from the entrails of cows.
3. Costa Rica (86.4): By 2021, Costa Rica hopes to be one of the few, if not the only country in the world that is carbon neutral. For decades, Costa Rica has been plagued with deforestation. Because the country is very agricultural and known for its export of food, including corn and bananas, there is a great need for land to farm and produce these crops. However, the country has made use of the forest land and actually began to utilize the shade that is created by the canopy to successfully grow the necessary crops. This not only saves space, but reduces the amount of pesticides used to protect the produce. Now Costa Rica is focusing on reforestation and building up the land that was ruined. In fact, the country planted over 5 million trees in 2008.
2. Switzerland (89.1): Switzerland has a long, proven record of being eco-friendly and protecting the environment. For instance, in 1914, it created the first Alpine park located in the Alps, and the tradition has carried on, as it plans to build at least 20 more of these parks. Not only has Switzerland added eco-friendly parts to their country, they’ve also taken a few things away. In some cities, cars are not allowed. While it may seem a little strict, the country has even imposed a fee for disposing of trash in the country. There are also fees for using waste management services. The governments pushing for eco- friendly living, but even hotels are joining in with hopes to show that going green does have its benefits. For example, Badrutt’s Palace Hotel offers discounts to those who arrive in a hybrid car. It had an entirely new heating system installed which is said to reduce its carbon output by 80 per cent each year. The new heating system gets all of its energy from a nearby lake, as do many other hotels and even schools.
1. Iceland (93.5): Because of its location, Iceland has focused on using its geothermal landscape to utilize clean electricity and heat. The most commonly used source for heat and electricity is hydrogen, and the country hopes to become the first to be entirely reliant upon this energy source. Not only will the hydrogen energy be used by homeowners and those who occupy buildings, it is also used for transportation. The government of Iceland has provided hydrogen-powered buses to ensure people can get to their destinations in an eco-friendly way. To go along with the buses, Iceland has put a lot of focus on the Mercedes Benz A-Class F-Cell. This car is also fuelled by hydrogen and can go up to 100 miles on a full tank. Today Iceland can proudly say only 18 per cent of its energy sources come from coal, the other 82 per cent is pure hydrogen and geothermal power.
