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Topic 07 of 18 · Country Index 2026

United States: Environment & Sustainability

How much pressure does a country put on the natural world?

United States is placed 171st 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 14.2 (2024); Water Stress 24.54 (2023).

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Environment & Sustainability

171st

of 186 countries placed

Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics

Country Index 2026, all topics37th of 183 →

01The evidence

The 4 key statistics that decide it

Only these place United States 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.

Why these keys

  1. Key 1 of 4

    CO₂ Emissions per Capita

    Global Carbon Project

    Why it is a key

    2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0

    14.2

    Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)

    Lower is better

    United States: 14.2. 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 Northern America
    8.509 Bermuda
    Land neighbours
    Canada 13.42 · Mexico 3.523

  2. Key 2 of 4

    Water Stress

    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

    Why it is a key

    2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 4.0

    24.54

    Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)

    Lower is better

    United States: 24.54. 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 Northern America
    3.72 Canada
    Land neighbours
    Canada 3.72 · Mexico 44.95

  3. Key 3 of 4

    Organic Agricultural Area

    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

    Why it is a key

    2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0

    0.76

    Organic share of agricultural land (%)

    Higher is better

    United States: 0.76. 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 Northern America
    1.94 Canada
    Land neighbours
    Canada 1.94 · Mexico 0.35

  4. Key 4 of 4

    Ecological Footprint

    Global Footprint Network

    Why it is a key

    2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    7.053

    Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)

    Lower is better

    United States: 7.053. 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 Northern America
    6.622 Canada
    Land neighbours
    Canada 6.622 · Mexico 2.646

03In context

United States 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.

Northern America
1st186thNot placed · 38 countries with too few key statisticsNo data

The whole world on environment & sustainability

United States and the countries it borders

Standing among all 186; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.

CountryStandingCO₂ 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)
Mexicocompare148th3.52344.950.352.646
Canadacompare150th13.423.721.946.622
United States171st14.224.540.767.053

“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is

Across Northern America

Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 186.

Placed either side on environment & sustainability

The countries immediately above and below United States in the topic’s list.

04Context, no vote

Where United States is ahead of the world, and behind

48 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.

Every country

Ahead of the world median12

Statistics on which United States does better than the middle country measured.

  • Climate Vulnerability (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.450.317No real change since 2014

    United States: 0.317 · 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 13th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • ND-GAIN Country IndexNotre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 47.4465.75No real change since 2014

    United States: 65.75 · 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 17th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.878.9No earlier reading

    United States: 78.9 · 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 10th of 99 by World Energy Council.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)FAO · 2024 · world median 3.144▼ Worsened since 2015

    United States: 4 · 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 21st of 186 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27917.21▼ Worsened since 2014

    United States: 17.21 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Agricultural Emissions IntensityFAO · 2023 · world median 1.5650.97▲ Improved since 2013

    United States: 0.97 · 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 141st of 190 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.458.6▼ Worsened since 2013

    United States: 8.6 · 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 162nd of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.149.26▼ Worsened since 2013

    United States: 49.26 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per CapitaFAO · 2022 · world median 2,5288,437No real change since 2012

    United States: 8,437 · 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 54th of 181 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Carbon Intensity of ElectricityEmber · 2024 · world median 433.75383.81▲ Improved since 2014

    United States: 383.81 · 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 92nd of 165 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.686No real change since 2013

    United States: 0.686 · 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 73rd of 156 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3241.87No real change since 2014

    United States: 41.87 · 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 79th of 162 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

Behind the world median9

Statistics on which United States does worse than the middle country measured.

  • Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 32.0624.06▼ Worsened since 2014

    United States: 24.06 · 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 98th of 162 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Annual Forest Area Change RateFAO · 2025 · world median 0-0.04▼ Worsened since 2015

    United States: -0.04 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Baseline Water Stress (Aqueduct)WRI · 2019 · world median 1.6632.604No earlier reading

    United States: 2.604 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Adjusted Net SavingsWorld Bank Group · 2021 · world median 8.3894.305▼ Worsened since 2011

    United States: 4.305 · 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 80th of 118 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2021 dataset

  • Forest Area within Legally Established Protected AreasFAO · 2025 · world median 18.189.99No real change since 2015

    United States: 9.99 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7384.16▲ Improved since 2014

    United States: 4.16 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 014.85▲ Improved since 2014

    United States: 14.85 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • World Risk IndexInstitute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · 2025 · world median 4.1723.09▲ Improved since 2015

    United States: 23.09 · 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 21st of 193 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Municipal Solid Waste GenerationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 0.9662.178No earlier reading

    United States: 2.178 · 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 18th of 201 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2026 dataset

Level with the median, or no median to compare1

  • Children's Climate Risk IndexUNICEF · 2020 · world median 55No earlier reading

    United States: 5 · 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 80th of 163 by UNICEF (1st = worst).

    Chart and every countryThe 2021 dataset

No better end26

These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.

  • Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.144176.68No real change since 2014

    United States: 176.68 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 100157,594No earlier reading

    United States: 157,594 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2026 dataset

  • Consumption-Based CO₂ EmissionsGlobal Carbon Project · 2023 · world median 12.791,482No real change since 2013

    United States: 1,482 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Methane EmissionsEDGAR · 2025 · world median 325.6929,362No real change since 2015

    United States: 29,362 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Land Under Cereal ProductionFAO · 2023 · world median 689,27855,537,673No real change since 2013

    United States: 55,537,673 · 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 3rd of 179 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Tree Cover LossWorld Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland) · 2025 · world median 3,7751,573,245No real change since 2015

    United States: 1,573,245 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Agricultural EmissionsFAO · 2023 · world median 8,635501,631No real change since 2013

    United States: 501,631 · 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 4th of 193 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.83122.06No real change since 2013

    United States: 122.06 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 525184,448No earlier reading

    United States: 184,448 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2026 dataset

  • Fisheries and Aquaculture ProductionFAO · 2024 · world median 52,3754,220,467No real change since 2014

    United States: 4,220,467 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Arable Land per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 0.1090.45No real change since 2013

    United States: 0.45 · 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 17th of 206 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Burned AreaGWIS · 2025 · world median 13,8242,560,985Moved since 2015

    United States: 2,560,985 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Mangrove AreaGlobal Mangrove Watch (Aberystwyth University, JAXA, soloEO, Wetlands International, The Nature Conservancy) · 2025 · world median 8,927252,545No real change since 2015

    United States: 252,545 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.0496.918Moved since 2014

    United States: 6.918 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Agricultural LandFAO · 2023 · world median 37.9646.08No real change since 2013

    United States: 46.08 · 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 74th of 209 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Fertilizer Consumption per HectareFAO · 2023 · world median 87.36127.8No real change since 2013

    United States: 127.8 · 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 69th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Temperature Change on LandFAO · 2025 · world median 1.4741.758Moved since 2015

    United States: 1.758 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.732.78Moved since 2014

    United States: 2.78 · 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 73rd of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Agricultural Irrigated LandFAO · 2023 · world median 3.665.101No earlier reading

    United States: 5.101 · world median 3.66 · Irrigated share of agricultural land (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 89.04.

    Position 52nd of 121 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Forest AreaFAO · 2023 · world median 31.0833.87No real change since 2013

    United States: 33.87 · 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 96th of 210 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Cropland Nitrogen BalanceFAO · 2023 · world median 37.6335.6Moved since 2013

    United States: 35.6 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7081.28Moved since 2011

    United States: 1.28 · 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 106th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2021 dataset

  • Population Living Below 5 m ElevationCenter for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University · 2015 · world median 2.9541.98Moved since 1990

    United States: 1.98 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2015 dataset

  • Water Withdrawal by SectorFAO · 2022 · world median 62.1439.66Moved since 2012

    United States: 39.66 · 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 109th of 171 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Livestock DensityFAO · 2023 · world median 0.5350.31No real change since 2013

    United States: 0.31 · 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 133rd of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Tropical Moist Forest DeforestationJRC · 2025 · world median 0.0010No real change since 2015

    United States: 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

No current reading for United States

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 United States’s 16 topics

Environment & Sustainability is United States’s 16th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.

On the profile
  1. Mobility & Trade7th of 177
  2. Digital & Technology8th of 198
  3. Food & Agriculture12th of 184
  4. Work & Labour14th of 182
  5. Governance & Institutionsjoint 25th of 194
  6. Health & Wellbeingjoint 30th of 200
  7. Economy & Innovation28th of 176
  8. Development & Human Capital46th of 196
  9. Gender & Equalityjoint 43rd of 183
  10. Education & Knowledge60th of 198
  11. Democracy & Civil Liberties68th of 198
  12. Energy59th of 165
  13. Risk & Resilience72nd of 193
  14. Poverty & Inequality79th of 159
  15. Peace & Security136th of 177
  16. Environment & Sustainability171st of 186

06The top of the list

Who leads on environment & sustainability

The three countries placed highest of 186, and the leaders United States can most readily be measured against.

All 186 countries
  1. 1

    Angola

    Middle Africa

    1st of 186 · 3 of 4 keys

    Photo: Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk · CC0, greyscale

  2. 2

    São Tomé and Príncipe

    Middle Africa

    2nd of 186 · 3 of 4 keys

  3. 3

    Sierra Leone

    Western Africa

    3rd of 186 · 4 of 4 keys

    Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0, greyscale

Placed highest nearby

  1. Highest in Americas

    Nicaragua=15th2/4 keys

  2. Highest in Northern America

    Canada150th4/4 keys

  3. This page

    United States171st4/4 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.

07Questions

United States 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 United States rank on environment & sustainability?

United States is placed 171st 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 United States?

14.2 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 United States?

24.54 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 United States compare with Mexico on environment & sustainability?

Mexico is placed 148th of 186, and United States 171st. CO₂ Emissions per Capita: Mexico 3.523, United States 14.2; Water Stress: Mexico 44.95, United States 24.54; Organic Agricultural Area: Mexico 0.35, United States 0.76; Ecological Footprint: Mexico 2.646, United States 7.053.

How have United States’s environment & sustainability figures changed?

CO₂ Emissions per Capita fell from 21.4 in 2000 to 14.2 in 2024; Water Stress fell from 30.01 in 2000 to 24.54 in 2023; Organic Agricultural Area rose from 0.4 in 2005 to 0.76 in 2024; Ecological Footprint fell from 10.63 in 2000 to 7.053 in 2025.

Which environment & sustainability statistics are missing for United States?

No current reading is published for United States on Environmentally Related Tax Revenue. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.

08Method

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.

About environment & sustainability, in full

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

The other 48 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

United States’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.

Cite this page

Nations Inquiry (2026). United States: Environment & Sustainability — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/united-states/environment

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