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The Environmental Performance Index measures countries' achievements in terms of their environmental policies. It is a joint project of the Yale Centre for Environmental Policy and Law at Yale University and Columbia University. Based on extensive research, experts compile not only an overall ranking of environmental performance, but also rankings of Environmental Health and Ecosystem Vitality. Besides, 180 countries are ranked in 11 areas according to the progress they have made, for example, in improving air quality, reducing climate change, managing waste, conserving biodiversity and developing protected areas. Each ranking is also presented by region. This approach allows for comparing countries that are relatively close in terms of development and wealth, and for identifying leaders and laggards. According to the 2022 results, Denmark became the leader both in the overall EPI ranking and among Global West countries, having improved in many areas of environmental policy, especially in the field of clean energy and sustainable agriculture. In contrast, the United States, ranked 43rd (24th in 2020) in the overall ranking, has shown one of the worst results among wealthy democracies of the Global West. The U.S. policies on climate change and waste management were the most criticised. Canada fell even lower in the ranking, being 49th (20th in 2020). In the Eastern Europe region, Slovenia stands out, according to the experts. The country ranked 7th out of 180 countries in the overall EPI ranking, 31st in Environmental Health, and 2nd in Ecosystem vitality, up from 31st position in 2020. Slovenia's policy of developing a system of protected areas, which account for over 30% of its territory, was noted. Among the region's laggards are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro. Belarus is the leader among Former Soviet States in most areas of environmental policy. Being 55th in the overall ranking, the country took 41st position out of 180 in Ecosystem Vitality, having improved its result compared to the previous assessment and having surpassed such Global West countries as Iceland (49th), Canada (53rd), the United States (57th), Ireland (62nd), and Portugal (63rd). Compared to 2020, Belarus has also moved up in other categories, such as protection of water resources (plus 34 positions), biodiversity conservation and development of protected areas (plus 24 positions), and improvement of air quality (plus 3 positions). Israel, which places 57th in the overall EPI ranking, is the most active in the Middle East region in terms of policies to improve environmental quality, reduce emissions of heavy metals, and improve waste management. In the Asia-Pacific region, despite the deterioration of its position in the overall ranking (25th against 12th in 2020), Japan remains the leader. Experts have noted the efforts made by the country to improve the quality of air and drinking water and to preserve biodiversity. The worst result among 180 countries was achieved by India, which ranks last in the overall EPI ranking, and 178th in Environmental Health and Ecosystem Vitality rankings. When considering a country's position in the Environmental Performance Index and related rankings, it is important to look not only at its current position, but also at the progress it has made compared to previous assessments. Improving the quality of the environment, restoring disturbed ecosystems and biodiversity, and implementing measures to mitigate climate change requires sound management decisions and long-term investments.

For millions of children worldwide, childhood ends too soon. This is the premise that guides the international organisation Save the Children when preparing its End of Childhood Index. The review covers 186 countries that are ranked in terms of ensuring children's basic rights: the right to life, healthy growth and development, education and protection from violence. The assessment is based on 8 indicators: under-5 mortality rate, child stunting (0 to 59 months old), percentage of out-of-school children, children engaged in child labour (5 to 17 years of age), adolescent marriage and birth rates among girls 15-19 years of age, suicide rates among children under 19 years of age, and forced displacement from conflict zones. According to experts, these indicators are the most representative of the situation of children in different countries, are the most common and are regularly updated. The latest 2021 ranking was topped by Singapore and Slovenia with a total score across all indicators of 990 points out of a possible 1,000. The United States had one of the worst scores among all developed countries at 948 points (43rd out of 186), trailing by at least 25 points behind most Western European countries, and 11 points behind the leader among the post-Soviet countries – Belarus (35th with 959 points). If we look at the ranking components, the situation with living conditions for children in the United States is much worse by most indicators compared to European countries as well. Thus, under-5 mortality in the United States is 2 to 3 times higher than in Czechia, Belarus, Finland, Estonia, Norway, Slovenia; the adolescent suicide rate is one of the highest among developed countries. Overall, many countries around the world have lost their positions compared to the previous 2019 ranking. In Albania, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, primary and secondary school enrolment declined. In Costa Rica, Eritrea, Libya, Iraq, the number of children with stunting increased. Niger (186th), Central African Republic (185th) and Chad (184th) were again at the bottom of the ranking. Children and adolescents are the driving force of every country, provided they have the opportunities and skills to fulfil their potential. And it is our common challenge to ensure that children's interests are at the centre of political and economic decision-making for the future we want to see.