Scandinavian nations top in sustainable Competitiveness Index, China in Intellectual Capital

New Delhi: Scandinavian countries continue to be top scorers when it comes to sustainable Competitiveness Index (GSCI), which serves as inclusive alternative to the GDP, However, the World as a whole is far from being sustainable and competitive, says a report by SolAbility, a global environment organisation, which brings out Sustainable Competitiveness Index of countries every year.

Of the top 5 spots, 4 are Scandinavian. Finland tops the Index for the first time, followed by Denmark and Switzerland.

However,the global gap to a perfect sustainable competitive World is 53.0. We are far from an inclusive and circular society that lives in equilibrium with the natural environment

China tops Intellectual Capital Index for first time, US drops to rank 42. Top 20 rankings have gone to Northern European countries. Japan is the only non-European country in the Top 20 (Korea follows on 23)
Asian nations (China, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore) lead the Intellectual and Innovation Capital Index, reflecting the ongoing shift to technological leadership to Asia.

Most leaders in Europe seemingly have not yet realised how far Asia has left the rest of the World behind, and the data suggests this is only the beginning

Though China is leading the Intellectual Capital Index for the first time, is ranked 34 overall, but faces challenges in Natural Capital and Resource Efficiency. However, trajectory in efficiency terms is positive, underlined by the record pace of installation of renewable energy
Germany, France, and the UK maintain strong positions in the top 15

There is immense untapped potential. Policies geared to maximise efficiency, improve education, and reduce inequality could lead to significant positive developments.

A small majority (52%) of all trends across all countries are showing positive developments. However, a majority of trends in Natural Capital are deteriorating: unfortunately, we have to expect a further decline in the natural environmen.

First published in 2012, the Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index (GSCI) measures country-level performance based on over 250 quantitative indicators, derived from international organisations such as the World Bank, various UN agencies, the IMF. The GSCI serves as inclusive alternative to the GDP, to assess country-specific and issue-specific risks for operators and investors, and to verify development progress for government agencies. The GSCI is officially used by four national governments to benchmark their progress on the path to sustainable and competitive development.

The index has the following parameters: Natural Capital Index: The given natural environment; Resource Efficiency Index: Resource usage per capita and per economic output;Social Capital Index: Social cohesion, health, freedom, security, equality; Intellectual Capital & Innovation Index: Education and innovation indicators;Economic Sustainability: Sustainable economic development, business and economic frameworks & performance[ Governance Performance Index: Infrastructure, resource allocation, corruption, and fiscal considerations.

–India News Stream