Belgium EU’s worst polluter

Belgium is Europe’s biggest polluter according to a new report launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The study ranks Belgium, the home of the EU’s institutions, at the bottom of the 25 member class and 39th in the world on protecting the environment.

The densely populated, intensively farmed and heavily industrialised country rated poorly on its water quality and dwindling biodiversity, according to researchers.

Belgian environment minister Bruno Tobback admitted the results were poor but said they had to be read within the proper context.

Things had improved he said in comparison to 2005, when Belgium stood 112th on the list.

“A small, industrial country like Belgium cannot be compared to larger countries, such as France, with proportionally fewer heavy industrial cities,” said a ministry spokesman.

Elsewhere, the EU put in a “relatively good performance,” according to the European commission.

EU member states took seven of the top ten spots, but missed out to New Zealand for first place.

Sweden was the best placed EU country coming second, and Finland, the Czech Republic and the UK all made the top five.

The study was conducted by Yale and Columbia universities and the European commission’s joint research centre.

The report covers 133 countries, and is based on the results of 16 key environmental indicators, including greenhouse gas emissions, water quality and habitat protection.

The EPI results are calculated by setting targets for environmental performance for each country then monitoring their actual attainment.

Researchers found that all the top ranked countries committed significant resources and effort to environmental protection.

The US came 28th, below other highly developed countries such as Britain, Germany the Netherlands and Japan.

The lagging performance of the US on energy and climate change is a worrying environmental trend suggested Gus Speth, of the Yale school of forestry and environmental studies.

“Perhaps this ranking will serve as a wake up call to the American public and particularly to leaders in Washington,” said Speth.

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