Photo: Seebeer Edited by Nicholasjf21 · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 07 of 18 · Country Index 2026
China: Environment & Sustainability
How much pressure does a country put on the natural world?
China is placed 157th of 186 countries on environment & sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: CO₂ Emissions per Capita 8.658 (2024); Water Stress 41.59 (2023).
Share
Environment & Sustainability
157th
of 186 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 8.658CO₂ Emissions per Capita, 2024Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)
- 41.59Water Stress, 2023Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
- 0.92Organic Agricultural Area, 2024Organic share of agricultural land (%)
- 3.757Ecological Footprint, 2025Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place China on environment & sustainability — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
8.658
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)
Lower is better
China: 8.658. Across the 210 countries in this edition, values run from 0.054 (DR Congo) to 41.27 (Qatar); the world median is 3.21.
- World median
- 3.21
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 1.467 Macau
- Land neighbours
- Afghanistan 0.254 · Bhutan 2.094 · Hong Kong 4.494 · India 2.201 · Kazakhstan 13.94 · Kyrgyzstan 1.638 · Laos 3.14 · Macau 1.467 · Myanmar 0.58 · Mongolia 12.86 · Nepal 0.633 · Pakistan 0.716 · North Korea 2.36 · Russia 12.29 · Tajikistan 1.014 · Vietnam 3.673
Key 2 of 4
Water Stress
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 4.0
41.59
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
Lower is better
China: 41.59. Across the 177 countries in this edition, values run from 0.03 (Republic of the Congo) to 3,851 (Kuwait); the world median is 10.
- World median
- 10
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 4.97 Mongolia
- Land neighbours
- Afghanistan 54.76 · Bhutan 1.41 · India 65.87 · Kazakhstan 33.57 · Kyrgyzstan 49.72 · Laos 4.79 · Myanmar 5.8 · Mongolia 4.97 · Nepal 8.31 · Pakistan 98.12 · North Korea 27.74 · Russia 4.16 · Tajikistan 69.94 · Vietnam 17.76
Key 3 of 4
Organic Agricultural Area
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
0.92
Organic share of agricultural land (%)
Higher is better
China: 0.92. Across the 156 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Afghanistan) to 86.38 (Samoa); the world median is 0.725.
- World median
- 0.725
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 2.61 Taiwan
- Land neighbours
- Afghanistan 0 · Bhutan 0.7 · India 2.23 · Kazakhstan 0.13 · Kyrgyzstan 0.16 · Laos 0.42 · Myanmar 0.05 · Mongolia 0 · Nepal 0.04 · Pakistan 0.24 · Russia 0.05 · Tajikistan 1.71 · Vietnam 1.02
3.757
Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Lower is better
China: 3.757. Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 0.514 (Yemen) to 11.73 (Qatar); the world median is 2.296.
- World median
- 2.296
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 3.757 China
- Land neighbours
- Afghanistan 0.773 · Bhutan 4.771 · India 1.13 · Laos 0.94 · Myanmar 1.1 · Mongolia 7.527 · Nepal 0.887 · Pakistan 0.722 · Russia 5.393 · Tajikistan 1.033 · Vietnam 2.298
02Over time
Which way China is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
CO₂ Emissions per Capita
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) · lower is better
ChinaWorld median
China rose from 2.87 in 2000 to 8.658 in 2024; the world median went from 2.662 to 3.21.
Every year’s figures
Year China World median 2024 8.66 3.210 2023 8.56 3.145 2022 8.22 3.162 2021 7.91 3.087 2020 7.64 2.903 2019 7.53 3.273 2018 7.29 3.036 2017 7.08 3.049 2016 6.94 2.894 2015 7.06 2.846 2014 7.19 2.919 2013 7.21 2.779 2012 7.13 2.770 2011 7.00 2.748 2010 6.37 2.812 2009 5.87 2.799 2008 5.62 2.979 2007 5.26 2.593 2006 4.92 2.865 2005 4.49 2.885 2004 4.00 2.802 2003 3.74 2.918 2002 3.18 2.785 2001 2.91 2.726 2000 2.87 2.662 Water Stress
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) · lower is better
ChinaWorld median
China rose from 40.43 in 2000 to 41.59 in 2023; the world median went from 10.07 to 10.
Every year’s figures
Year China World median 2023 41.59 10.000 2022 42.52 10.190 2021 42.23 10.460 2020 41.52 10.460 2019 43.21 10.890 2018 43.30 10.460 2017 43.54 10.460 2016 43.60 10.460 2015 44.10 10.190 2014 44.09 10.460 2013 44.80 10.460 2012 44.45 10.460 2011 44.28 10.460 2010 43.74 10.710 2009 43.34 10.960 2008 42.95 10.815 2007 42.31 11.180 2006 42.16 10.430 2005 40.98 10.250 2004 40.39 10.715 2003 38.74 10.370 2002 40.00 10.180 2001 40.31 10.130 2000 40.43 10.070 Organic Agricultural Area
Organic share of agricultural land (%) · higher is better
ChinaWorld median
China rose from 0.53 in 2005 to 0.92 in 2024; the world median went from 0.345 to 0.725.
Every year’s figures
Year China World median 2024 0.92 0.725 2023 0.87 0.780 2022 0.74 0.740 2021 0.70 0.710 2020 0.62 0.665 2019 0.56 0.550 2018 0.79 0.490 2017 0.76 0.630 2016 0.57 0.545 2015 0.40 0.540 2014 0.47 0.470 2013 0.51 0.440 2012 0.46 0.480 2011 0.45 0.460 2010 0.33 0.330 2009 0.44 0.335 2008 0.43 0.290 2007 0.37 0.370 2006 0.53 0.305 2005 0.53 0.345 Ecological Footprint
Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person) · lower is better
ChinaWorld median
China rose from 1.691 in 2000 to 3.757 in 2025; the world median went from 1.95 to 2.296.
Every year’s figures
Year China World median 2025 3.757 2.2963 2024 3.749 2.3139 2023 3.568 2.3174 2022 3.531 2.2724 2021 3.545 2.3370 2020 3.378 2.3057 2019 3.358 2.2578 2018 3.335 2.2485 2017 3.254 2.2209 2016 3.176 2.2308 2015 3.175 2.3000 2014 3.274 2.3814 2013 3.334 2.3363 2012 3.251 2.4200 2011 3.161 2.4794 2010 2.982 2.3679 2009 2.803 2.2224 2008 2.633 2.1727 2007 2.544 2.2036 2006 2.395 2.1203 2005 2.281 2.1512 2004 2.138 2.1055 2003 1.922 2.0449 2002 1.778 2.1195 2001 1.770 2.2004 2000 1.691 1.9499
03In context
China beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 186 countries on environment & sustainability, never a place within the region.
China and the countries it borders
Standing among all 186; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | CO₂ Emissions per CapitaFossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) | Water StressFreshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) | Organic Agricultural AreaOrganic share of agricultural land (%) | Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint (global hectares per person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Laos | 57th | 3.14 | 4.79 | 0.42 | 0.94 |
 Myanmar | 59th | 0.58 | 5.8 | 0.05 | 1.1 |
 Nepal | 60th | 0.633 | 8.31 | 0.04 | 0.887 |
 Tajikistan | 69th | 1.014 | 69.94 | 1.71 | 1.033 |
 Indiacompare | 85th | 2.201 | 65.87 | 2.23 | 1.13 |
 Pakistancompare | 86th | 0.716 | 98.12 | 0.24 | 0.722 |
 Bhutan | 87th | 2.094 | 1.41 | 0.7 | 4.771 |
 Afghanistan | =97th | 0.254 | 54.76 | 0 | 0.773 |
 Vietnam | =108th | 3.673 | 17.76 | 1.02 | 2.298 |
 North Korea | =121st | 2.36 | 27.74 | — | — |
 Kyrgyzstan | 147th | 1.638 | 49.72 | 0.16 | — |
| China | 157th | 8.658 | 41.59 | 0.92 | 3.757 |
 Russiacompare | =166th | 12.29 | 4.16 | 0.05 | 5.393 |
 Mongolia | 176th | 12.86 | 4.97 | 0 | 7.527 |
 Kazakhstan | 177th | 13.94 | 33.57 | 0.13 | — |
 Hong Kong | not placed | 4.494 | — | — | — |
 Macau | not placed | 1.467 | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 186.
Placed either side on environment & sustainability
The countries immediately above and below China in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where China is ahead of the world, and behind
47 more statistics filed under environment & sustainability, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median11
Statistics on which China does better than the middle country measured.
Annual Forest Area Change RateFAO · 2025 · world median 00.770No real change since 2015
China: 0.77 · world median 0 · Compound annual change in forest area over the interval ending that year (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.29 to 12.3; higher is better.
Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)FAO · 2024 · world median 3.144.173.14▲ Improved since 2015
China: 4.17 · world median 3.14 · Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.67 to 4.57; higher is better.
Position 15th of 186 · derived.
Agricultural Emissions IntensityFAO · 2023 · world median 1.5650.681.565▲ Improved since 2013
China: 0.68 · world median 1.565 · Greenhouse gases from farming per value of agricultural output (kg CO₂eq per international dollar). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 28.2; lower is better.
Position 163rd of 190 · derived, 1st = worst.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27918.325.279No real change since 2014
China: 18.32 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
Adjusted Net SavingsWorld Bank Group · 2021 · world median 8.38916.338.389▼ Worsened since 2011
China: 16.33 · world median 8.389 · Adjusted net savings, including particulate emission damage (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from -81.62 to 32.18; higher is better.
Position 28th of 118 · derived.
Climate Vulnerability (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.450.3940.45No real change since 2014
China: 0.394 · world median 0.45 · ND-GAIN Vulnerability (0–1, where 1 is the most vulnerable). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.263 to 0.655; lower is better.
Ranked 56th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
ND-GAIN Country IndexNotre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 47.4453.0447.44▲ Improved since 2014
China: 53.04 · world median 47.44 · ND-GAIN Index (0–100, where 100 is best placed to adapt). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.42 to 71.85; higher is better.
Ranked 61st of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.127.616.1▲ Improved since 2013
China: 27.6 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 32.0633.1632.06No real change since 2014
China: 33.16 · world median 32.06 · Renewables (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 81st of 162 · derived.
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.864.463.8No earlier reading
China: 64.4 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 47th of 99 by World Energy Council.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3237.6637.32No real change since 2014
China: 37.66 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 82nd of 162 · derived.
Behind the world median10
Statistics on which China does worse than the middle country measured.
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per CapitaFAO · 2022 · world median 2,5281,9922,528No real change since 2012
China: 1,992 · world median 2,528 · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 445,023; higher is better.
Position 106th of 181 · derived.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.6440.678No real change since 2013
China: 0.644 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 92nd of 156 · derived.
Forest Area within Legally Established Protected AreasFAO · 2025 · world median 18.1814.4718.18No real change since 2015
China: 14.47 · world median 18.18 · Forest within legally established protected areas, as a share of the country's 2015 forest area (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Carbon Intensity of ElectricityEmber · 2024 · world median 433.75558.97433.75▲ Improved since 2014
China: 558.97 · world median 433.75 · Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 23.73 to 1,306; lower is better.
Position 55th of 165 · derived, 1st = worst.
Baseline Water Stress (Aqueduct)WRI · 2019 · world median 1.6632.81.663No earlier reading
China: 2.8 · world median 1.663 · Baseline water stress score (0–5). World Resources Institute (WRI), 2023 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; lower is better.
Children's Climate Risk IndexUNICEF · 2020 · world median 56.75No earlier reading
China: 6.7 · world median 5 · Children's Climate Risk Index (0–10, higher is more risk). UNICEF, 2021 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 8.7; lower is better.
Ranked 40th of 163 by UNICEF (1st = worst).
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4532.614.45▲ Improved since 2013
China: 32.6 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 28th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7385.832.738▲ Improved since 2014
China: 5.83 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
World Risk IndexInstitute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · 2025 · world median 4.1730.624.17No real change since 2015
China: 30.62 · world median 4.17 · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk). Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.18 to 46.56; lower is better.
Position 9th of 193 · derived, 1st = worst.
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 058.220No real change since 2014
China: 58.22 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Municipal Solid Waste GenerationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 0.9660.9660.966No earlier reading
China: 0.966 · world median 0.966 · Municipal solid waste generated (kg per person per day). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.058 to 4.176; lower is better.
Position 101st of 201 · derived, 1st = worst.
No better end25
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Consumption-Based CO₂ EmissionsGlobal Carbon Project · 2023 · world median 12.792,96312.79No real change since 2013
China: 2,963 · world median 12.79 · Consumption-based fossil CO₂ (million tonnes of carbon). Global Carbon Project, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.882 to 2,963.
Fisheries and Aquaculture ProductionFAO · 2024 · world median 52,37570,500,84152,375No real change since 2014
China: 70,500,841 · world median 52,375 · Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals caught or farmed, tonnes (live weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 70,500,841.
Methane EmissionsEDGAR · 2025 · world median 325.6951,093325.69No real change since 2015
China: 51,093 · world median 325.69 · Methane emissions (gigagrams of CH₄). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (EDGAR), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.048 to 51,093.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 5251,263,101525No earlier reading
China: 1,263,101 · world median 525 · Coal-fired capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,263,101.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 100542,758100No earlier reading
China: 542,758 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.144886.660.144No real change since 2014
China: 886.66 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Agricultural EmissionsFAO · 2023 · world median 8,635951,4928,635No real change since 2013
China: 951,492 · world median 8,635 · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,044,508.
Position 2nd of 193 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Land Under Cereal ProductionFAO · 2023 · world median 689,27899,987,255689,278No real change since 2013
China: 99,987,255 · world median 689,278 · Land under cereal production (hectares). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 103,715,108.
Position 2nd of 179 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Tree Cover LossWorld Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland) · 2025 · world median 3,775650,7853,775No real change since 2015
China: 650,785 · world median 3,775 · Tree cover loss (hectares, where canopy cover exceeded 30% in 2000). World Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 6,225,187.
Fertilizer Consumption per HectareFAO · 2023 · world median 87.36394.0287.36No real change since 2013
China: 394.02 · world median 87.36 · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 2,926.
Position 11th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Burned AreaGWIS · 2025 · world median 13,8242,623,06513,824Moved since 2015
China: 2,623,065 · world median 13,824 · Burned area (hectares). European Commission Joint Research Centre — Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50,562,035.
Cropland Nitrogen BalanceFAO · 2023 · world median 37.63152.0637.63Moved since 2013
China: 152.06 · world median 37.63 · Nitrogen surplus (+) or deficit (−) on cropland, kg per hectare. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -555.52 to 1,199.
Agricultural LandFAO · 2023 · world median 37.9655.4337.96No real change since 2013
China: 55.43 · world median 37.96 · Agricultural land (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.445 to 86.48.
Position 47th of 209 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.0498.3693.049Moved since 2014
China: 8.369 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8373.5457.83Moved since 2013
China: 73.54 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Temperature Change on LandFAO · 2025 · world median 1.4741.9231.474Moved since 2015
China: 1.923 · world median 1.474 · Change in mean land-surface temperature against the country's own 1951–1980 average, °C. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.34 to 3.294.
Population Living Below 5 m ElevationCenter for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University · 2015 · world median 2.9544.8792.954Moved since 1990
China: 4.879 · world median 2.954 · Population living below 5 m elevation (% of total population). Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University, 2015 edition, data for 2015.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 78.48.
Mangrove AreaGlobal Mangrove Watch (Aberystwyth University, JAXA, soloEO, Wetlands International, The Nature Conservancy) · 2025 · world median 8,92725,2848,927Moved since 2015
China: 25,284 · world median 8,927 · Mangrove forest area (hectares). Global Mangrove Watch (Aberystwyth University, JAXA, soloEO, Wetlands International, The Nature Conservancy), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.524 to 3,146,544.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.731.881.73Moved since 2014
China: 1.88 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 89th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7081.7081.708Moved since 2011
China: 1.708 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 99th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Water Withdrawal by SectorFAO · 2022 · world median 62.1462.1462.14Moved since 2012
China: 62.14 · world median 62.14 · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.48.
Position 87th of 171 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Livestock DensityFAO · 2023 · world median 0.5350.510.535Moved since 2013
China: 0.51 · world median 0.535 · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 43.97.
Position 99th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Forest AreaFAO · 2023 · world median 31.0824.0331.08Moved since 2013
China: 24.03 · world median 31.08 · Forest area (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 94.45.
Position 123rd of 210 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Arable Land per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 0.1090.0770.109No real change since 2013
China: 0.077 · world median 0.109 · Arable land (hectares per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1.459.
Position 133rd of 206 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Tropical Moist Forest DeforestationJRC · 2025 · world median 0.00100.001Moved since 2015
China: 0 · world median 0.001 · Tropical moist forest deforested in the year (million hectares). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.708.
No current reading for China
Agricultural Irrigated Land and Environmentally Related Tax Revenue (last 2021). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Environment & Sustainability among China’s 16 topics
Environment & Sustainability is China’s 15th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Food & Agriculture6th of 1844/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade9th of 1774/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 23rd of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing47th of 2003/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality39th of 1593/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge51st of 1982/4 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 46th of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital62nd of 1963/3 keys
- Work & Labour60th of 1824/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience80th of 1934/4 keys
- Energyjoint 87th of 1653/3 keys
- Peace & Security102nd of 1774/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions125th of 1944/4 keys
- Gender & Equality124th of 1834/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability157th of 1864/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties178th of 1983/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on environment & sustainability
The three countries placed highest of 186, and the leaders China can most readily be measured against.
1
AngolaMiddle Africa
1st of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk · CC0, greyscale
- 2
São Tomé and PríncipeMiddle Africa
2nd of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
3
Sierra LeoneWestern Africa
3rd of 186 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Palestine24th2/4 keysHighest in Eastern Asia
North Korea=121st2/4 keysThis page
China157th4/4 keys
Positions out of 186 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about China and environment & sustainability
08Questions
China on environment & sustainability: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does China rank on environment & sustainability?
China is placed 157th of 186 countries on Environment & Sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (CO₂ Emissions per Capita, Water Stress, Organic Agricultural Area and Ecological Footprint). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest CO₂ Emissions per Capita figure for China?
8.658 in 2024 (fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)), according to Global Carbon Project. The world median in the same edition was 3.21.
What is the latest Water Stress figure for China?
41.59 in 2023 (freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)), according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The world median in the same edition was 10.
How does China compare with India on environment & sustainability?
India is placed 85th of 186, and China 157th. CO₂ Emissions per Capita: India 2.201, China 8.658; Water Stress: India 65.87, China 41.59; Organic Agricultural Area: India 2.23, China 0.92; Ecological Footprint: India 1.13, China 3.757.
How have China’s environment & sustainability figures changed?
CO₂ Emissions per Capita rose from 2.87 in 2000 to 8.658 in 2024; Water Stress rose from 40.43 in 2000 to 41.59 in 2023; Organic Agricultural Area rose from 0.53 in 2005 to 0.92 in 2024; Ecological Footprint rose from 1.691 in 2000 to 3.757 in 2025.
Which environment & sustainability statistics are missing for China?
No current reading is published for China on Agricultural Irrigated Land and Environmentally Related Tax Revenue. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Air quality and biodiversity are not keys, because the site does not yet hold data for them that passes every test. Forest cover, farmland, farm emissions and the renewable share of electricity are published here as context. Exposure to natural hazards belongs to Risk & Resilience.
How the Environment & Sustainability standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The environment & sustainability method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- CO₂ Emissions per Capita — Global Carbon Project, CC BY 4.0
- Water Stress — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Organic Agricultural Area — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Ecological Footprint — Global Footprint Network, CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 47 statistics on this page come from 19 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
China’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- China (banner) — Seebeer Edited by Nicholasjf21, Public domain
- Angola — Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk, CC0
- Sierra Leone — Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). China: Environment & Sustainability — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/china/environment