Czechia's Responsibility Towards The Environment

Czechia [Country Profile Page]
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	27th best
Capital	Prague
Land Area	77 240km21
Location	Europe
Population	10.7m2
Life Expectancy	77.73yrs (2017)3
GNI	$38 745 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	CZ, CZE, 2035
Internet Domain	.cz6
Currency	Koruna (CZK)7
Telephone	+4208

Czechia ranks 119th in the world in terms of its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is computed from 21 data sets. Czechia does better than average in terms of its score on the Green Future Index₉ (but low for Europe), its environmental performance₁₀, its forested percent change 2000-2020₁₁ and in its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment. Czechia doesn't do so well in other areas. Czechia does worse than average for energy to GDP efficiency₁₂ and in reducing annual meat consumption per person₁₃. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 in terms of the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₁₄.

1. Czechia's Responsibility Towards The Environment
2. Data Sets
   1. Forest Area Change 2000-2020
   2. Environmental Performance
   3. Energy to GDP Efficiency
   4. International Accords on the Environment
   5. Rational Beliefs on the Environment
   6. Meat Consumption
   7. Green Future Index
3. Links

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1. Czechia's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#climate_change #the_environment

Compared to Europe (2025)15
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank15
1	Switzerland	45.0
2	Denmark	50.4
3	Liechtenstein	56.8
	...
28	Georgia	83.6
29	Macedonia	86.9
30	Croatia	88.5
31	Czechia	89.3
32	Lithuania	89.5
33	Albania	91.5
34=	Monaco	92.1
34=	Moldova	92.1
36	Malta	92.2
	Europe Avg	86.45
q=48.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)15
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank15
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
116	Croatia	88.5
117	Jamaica	88.6
118	Fiji	89.1
119	Czechia	89.3
120	Malaysia	89.5
121	Lithuania	89.5
122	Paraguay	91.0
123	Equatorial Guinea	91.2
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

All countries' current and historical approach towards the environment is gauged via 21 datasets, including multiple decades of data on its forested percent change 2000-2020, its environmental performance, energy to GDP efficiency, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population, reducing annual meat consumption per person and its score on the Green Future Index.

The countries that do the best (Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Switzerland) tend to have avoided the excesses of early industrial countries, and have not yet repeated the same mistakes of environmental destruction - at least, not on the same scale. The regions with the best average results per country are Central America, South America and Scandinavia. The worst are Eritrea, The Vatican City and Timor-Leste (E. Timor), and the worst regions Micronesia, Australasia and Melanesia.

For more, see:

• " Countries With the Best Environmental Records" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

2. Data Sets

2.1. Forest Area Change 2000-2020

#biodiversity #deforestation #environmentalism #forests #over-exploitation #the_environment

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better11
Pos.		Total11
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
69	Ukraine	1.9%
70	Australia	1.7%
71	Austria	1.6%
72	Czechia	1.5%
73	Slovakia	1.3%
74	Portugal	1.0%
75	Micronesia	0.9%
76	Iraq	0.9%
	Europe Avg	8.2%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

In terms of its forested percent change 2000-2020, Czechia is 72nd in the world.

Forests are carbon sinks, mitigating against climate change_16,17. Unfortunately, we are destroying over 70,000 km² of forest each year₁₈. In the last few thousand years, we've removed 30-40% of the Earth's forest cover_19,17, mostly to clear space for agriculture, and for logging_20,21. The produce from both is shipped from poorer countries to richer ones. Half-hearted government efforts and company obfuscation of supply chains makes it almost impossible for consumers to tell which foods and products are from sustainable sources, and which ones are encouraging irresponsible deforestation, meaning that there is little incentive for companies to relent.

The effects are catastrophic. 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions are the result of deforestation_22,20. It brings soil erosion from wind and rain which, over time, can almost-permanently stop any hope of growing food₂₃, and spreads desertification. Entire ecosystems are collapsing as a result, including ones that we depend upon₂₄. The water cycle is driven by forests, and their loss reduces ordinary rainfall, increases flooding, removes an abundant source of water filtration, and contributes to a rise in water levels.₂₅.

Some regions of the world are increasing their forest cover₁₇; the best from 2000-2020 are Scandinavia (13.8% ), The Balkans (11.0% ) and Baltic States (7.6% )₁₁. There is an overall trend that developed countries gathered their riches by using up their natural resources, and now, they pay poorer countries to use up theirs instead, whilst they can afford to slowly rebuild their natural environments. But it's not wholly that simple - some rich regions are still burning through what they've got. The regions clearing their forests fastest are Central America (-12.8% ), Africa (-9.1% ) and North America (-2.9% )₁₁.

For more, see:

• "Deforestation" by Vexen Crabtree (2024).

Averages by decade for Czechia (for the ranks, lower is better):

Forest Area Change 2000-2020	2000s  Average	2010s  Average
Czechia:	0.8%	0.7%
World Rank:	64th	⇡  63rd
World Avg:	0.6%	-0.7%

2.2. Environmental Performance

#climate_change #energy #sustainability #the_environment

Environmental Performance Higher is better10
Pos.		201810
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
30=	Bulgaria	67.9
30=	Costa Rica	67.9
32	Qatar	67.8
33	Czechia	67.7
34	Slovenia	67.6
35	Trinidad & Tobago	67.4
36	St Vincent & Grenadines	66.5
37	Latvia	66.1
	Europe Avg	69.6
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

When it comes to its environmental performance, Czechia comes 33rd in the world.

The Environmental Performance Index 2018 data includes 24 indicators including air pollution, water and sanitation, biodiversity, ecosystems and environmental health, combined into a single score by country, by the Yale University Center for Environmental Law & Policy.

2.3. Energy to GDP Efficiency

#energy #sustainability #the_environment

Energy to GDP Efficiency Lower is better12
Pos.		2022 Avg12
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
113	Slovakia	1.26
114	Sweden	1.30
115	USA	1.36
116	Czechia	1.36
117	Liberia	1.37
118	Armenia	1.42
119	Finland	1.44
120	Qatar	1.46
	Europe Avg	1.25
	World Avg	1.23
q=165.

In terms of energy to GDP efficiency, Czechia is 116th in the world.

GDP per unit of energy consumption is often called 'Energy Intensity'. It's how efficient countries are at producing GDP in terms of primary energy use. It represents primary energy consumption using the substitution method, per unit of gross domestic product (GDP). A lower value means that less energy was used to maintain the country's GDP.

From the 1980s to the 1990s, Czechia was one of only 7 countries that improved its energy-to-GDP efficiency by more than 1.0; it made the 2nd-best improvement in Europe.

Averages by decade for Czechia (for the ranks, lower is better):

Energy to GDP Efficiency	1970s  Average	1980s  Average	1990s  Average	2000s  Average	2010s  Average
Czechia:	5.55	4.75	3.33	2.34	1.65
World Rank:	66th	⇣  141st	⇡  134th	134th	⇡  125th
World Avg:	2.13	2.10	2.15	1.60	1.30

2.4. International Accords on the Environment

#environmentalism #internationalism

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		Total Avg Rate
1	Sweden	83%
2	Canada	82%
3	Norway	81%
	...
94	Ireland	59%
95	Colombia	58%
96	Turkmenistan	58%
97	Czechia	58%
98	Antigua & Barbuda	57%
99	Bangladesh	57%
100	UAE	57%
101	Belize	57%
	Europe Avg	62.7%
	World Avg	57.5%
q=197.

Czechia is positioned 97th in the world when it comes to its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment.

Each country is scored using a formula that takes the date each country took up major international environmental agreements, as a ratio of maximum possible days. The agreements covered are: (1) the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, (2) the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for certain hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides, (3) the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, (4) the Waigani Convention (for those countries that are eligible), (5) the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), (6) the Kyoto Protocol and (7) its successor, the Paris Agreement, (8) the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), (9) the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and finally, (10) the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer.

For more, see:

• " Countries With the Best Environmental Records" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Czechia enacted the Rotterdam Convention on obtaining prior consent for transporting certain hazardous chemicals in 2000, whilst most others delayed it until subsequent years.

“Czechia does not have a national climate target, and aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with EU climate and energy legislation. Czechia accounted for 3.6% of the EU's net GHG emissions in 2023. The country reduced its net emissions by 25.6% over the 2005-2023 period, which is less than the EU average reduction of 30.5%. Czechia significantly reduced emissions from sectors under the EU emissions trading system (ETS). Czechia's net emissions have been impacted by natural disturbances affecting its land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector. Czechia's updated recovery and resilience plan, which dedicates 43% of its budget to the green transition, includes a REPowerEU chapter focused on modernising energy distribution networks.”

EU 2023 Climate Action Strategy₃₄

Averages by decade for Czechia (for the ranks, lower is better):

International Accords on the Environment	1970s  Average	1980s  Average	1990s  Average	2000s  Average	2010s  Average
Czechia:	0%	0%	55%	95%	96%
World Rank:	52nd	⇣  114th	⇡  74th	⇡  3rd	⇣  112th
World Avg:	8.5%	23.3%	45.0%	74.4%	90.7%

2.5. Rational Beliefs on the Environment

In a 2023 survey, 27% of Czechs identified climate change as one of the four most serious problems facing the world (much less than the 46% EU average)₃₄. "A majority expect national government (54%) to tackle climate change, while 46% see it as a task of business and industry, and 41% expect the EU to take action. Only 16% find it to be a personal responsibility"₃₄.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better14
Pos.		2011 %14
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
132	Zimbabwe	19.6%
133	Latvia	19.5%
134	Tunisia	19.3%
135	Czechia	16.0%
136	Estonia	15.9%
137	China	15.1%
138	Denmark	14.9%
139	Libya	14.6%
	Europe Avg	33.6%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Czechia is 11th-worst in the world regarding the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population.

2.6. Meat Consumption

#animal_rights #animal_welfare #diet #food #health #meat #veganism #vegetarianism

Meat Consumption Lower is better13
Pos.		2021 kg13
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
148	Dominica	81.6
149	Hungary	82.1
150	UK	82.3
151	Czechia	82.4
152	Bahrain	82.8
153	Qatar	83.0
154=	Iceland	83.6
154=	Lithuania	83.6
	Europe Avg	71.1
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

In terms of reducing annual meat consumption per person, Czechia ranks 151st in the world.

There are five key arguments in favour of vegetarianism which accrue even from partial adoption: (1) Vegetarian diets have notable health advantages over carnivorous diets, especially for heart and cardiovascular issues_26,27,28. (2) It is morally better to avoid killing or harming animals. (3) Plant-based diets use much less water than carnivorous ones, to the extent that agricultural and water management scientists urge governments to encourage people to switch₂₉. (4) Vegetarian food production uses substantially less land_26,30,31. And, (5) vegetarianism is better for the environment than meat-production for emissions, sewerage, pollution and chemicals usage._26,30. A plant-based diet causes 75% less greenhouse gas emissions than a typical carnivorous diet₃₁. The global food industry causes about 1/3 of all planet-heating emissions, and so "to slow the worst climate effects, the United Nations has called for a drastic reduction in meat consumption"₃₁. Despite this, "reducing appetites for carbon-intensive meat and dairy is incredibly hard"₃₂ and as countries get richer, they tend to eat more meat.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Czechia was well above the global average (of 49kgs per year), putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment.₁₃

On average throughout the 2010s, Czechia's rate was 79.4.

2.7. Green Future Index

#climate_change #energy #sustainability #the_environment

Green Future Index Higher is better9
Pos.		2023 Score9
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
	...
28	Japan	5.1
29	Hungary	5.1
30	Chile	5.1
31	Czechia	5.0
32	Singapore	5.0
33	Hong Kong	4.9
34	Colombia	4.8
35	Slovakia	4.8
	Europe Avg	5.6
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

Czechia is positioned 31st in the world regarding its score on the Green Future Index.

The Green Futures Index (GFI) has been running since 2021, and looks at 23 data sets for over 70 countries, with a focus on effectiveness, policy and planning 'for a low carbon future. It is complementary to existing goals and frameworks for sustainable development'. Datasets include qualitative appraisals and quantitative measurements on carbon emissions across multiple sectors, renewable and nuclear energy, recycling capabilities, green technologies used in building and construction, transport, scientific and industrial green innovations and patent quantities, climate action and climate policies. Each country is then ranked by their final score.₃₃.