Denmark is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. A constitutionally unitary state that includes the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands and Greenland in the North Atlantic Ocean. In 2020 the country’s population was estimated to be within the region of 5.8 million people.
The biennial report of the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) has recently been published, and the report is based on the comparison and analysis of environmental performance of 180 countries. In this year's ranking, Denmark is at the top in terms of environmental performance. Their EPI score is 8.90. The country’s EPI score has increased by 14.90 in the last one decade.
According to the World Health Organization, Denmark’s air quality index showed it to be “good” in December 2020. Similarly, in the world ranking of dirtiest cities in 2019, Denmark was ranked as 84 out of a total of 98 countries.
According to the EPI Index 2022, Denmark achieved 12th position in the world ranking with 80.5 Score.
Denmark is the proud owner of some of the best drinking water in Europe and luckily hasn’t faced many challenges accessing clean water over the last few decades, even though water prices have been historically high in Denmark. The high price of water deters unnecessary consumption, helps conserve water, and has led to a significant drop in water consumption over the last 20 years.
In 1989, the water consumption rested at 170 liters per day on average, while in 2012 that number dropped to 114. In the EPI Index 2022, Denmark also ranked first in water resources with a score of 100.0 and 13th in Sanitation and Drinking Water where Denmark's score is 97.5.
On the other hand, Bangladesh ranked 177th out of 180 countries in the world in the Environmental Performance Index. Bangladesh’s point in environmental performance is 23.10. In the last decade, our country’s points have decreased by 1.90. In this case Pakistan got 24.60. Their points have increased by 1.40 in one decade. Neighbouring India, however, lost 0.70 points to a low of 18.90.
Bangladesh has lost 4.40 points in the last one decade in the vitality of the ecosystem. In this regard, Bangladesh’s collection is 29.40 points and position is 159th.
Our nation has lost 18.70 points in ecosystem services in the last one decade. In this case, the country's collection is 14.90 points, and position at 155th. After losing 10 points in a decade in the category of fisheries, Bangladesh's collection is 35.10, and position at 20th.
In the last decade, Bangladesh's points in health have increased by 2.60 to 18.10, with a position of 166th. In terms of air quality, Bangladesh's points have increased by 0.20 in the last one decade. With 14.40 points, the position is 173rd in this case. In terms of drinking water, Bangladesh has increased by 5.60 points in the last decade, while we are in the 129th place in this list with 27.40 points.
In controlling the presence of heavy metals in the environment, in the last decade, Bangladesh's points have increased by 9.40 to 22.80, with a standing at 172th position. In this case, Denmark is the first, with a score of 100.0.
Bangladesh has also improved in terms of waste management. In the last decade, the collection of Bangladesh has increased by one point to 10.50, while the position is at 160th. Denmark holds the first rank with a score of 100.0 in this case.
There has been some deterioration in climate policy, meanwhile. In this regard, Bangladesh has lost 1.60 points in the last decade -- the position is now 171st with 18.80 points where Denmark is first with a score of 92.4.
Denmark has done well in this year's Environmental Performance Index, therefore, some of the steps taken by them can be followed for Bangladesh.
Denmark is a world leader in terms of “wind technology.” The country is now making their capital, Copenhagen, the world's first carbon-neutral capital by building 100 large wind turbines. Denmark uses renewable energy to convert their wind and aquatic resources into energy. Although there are hydropower and wind power plants in Kaptai and Maheshkhali here in Bangladesh, there is a need to further increase their scope.
In recent years, Denmark has become one of the largest producers of municipal waste in Europe. The country aims to recycle 80% of all waste by 2024. Bangladesh can take Dhaka city as a model city project where waste can be converted into biogas and fertilizer alternatives.
Denmark’s “green tax reform” is something Bangladesh can follow for the betterment of the environment. Ideally, repeat polluters would have to pay higher tax for their polluting ways while any environmentally-friendly policies/activities would get incentives such as tax reduction and maybe even awards.
Denmark has taken up Green Research and Development aimed at long-term growth and job creation. Bangladesh can also take such an initiative. The research will bring up minor issues related to this and determine the aspects to be worked on. The main mode of transportation in Denmark are two-wheelers or bicycles. While this is not possible in Bangladesh, an environmentally-friendly motor vehicle policy must be adopted to reduce vehicle pollution and ensure sustainable road transport.
Bangladesh has already adopted the Delta Plan 2100. Apart from this, Bangladesh has separate laws and policies related to the environment. However, we hope that Denmark's initiatives, which are at the forefront of the environmental index, can play a collaborative role in improving the quality of the environment in Bangladesh.
Rokibul Huda Majumder is a post-graduate student of environmental and resource economics.
