Lebanon ranked 124th out of 180 countries in the 2024 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), published by Yale and Columbia Universities in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. With a score of 40.1 out of 100, Lebanon also placed 10th among Arab nations, falling below both regional and global averages.
The EPI assesses countries based on 58 indicators across 11 categories grouped under three main pillars: climate change, environmental health and ecosystem vitality. It evaluates performance in key areas such as emissions reduction, air and water quality, biodiversity and sustainable resource management.
Lebanon’s highest score came in the fisheries sub-indicator, where it ranked 4th globally with a score of 96.2. It also performed moderately well in drinking water quality, scoring 63.2 and placing 71st worldwide. However, the country fared poorly in biodiversity and habitat protection, scoring just 24.1 (161st), and in climate change mitigation, with a score of 38.0 (113th).
In the Arab region, the United Arab Emirates led the rankings, placing 53rd globally with a score of 51.6.
Lebanon’s low overall ranking highlights serious environmental governance challenges. Amid ongoing economic and institutional instability, the report underscores the urgent need for structural reforms to strengthen environmental policy, safeguard natural resources and advance a credible transition toward sustainability.
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