The Environmental Performance Index (EPI), published biennially by Yale University’s Center for Environmental Law & Policy and Columbia University’s Center for International Earth Science Information Network, ranks 180 countries based on 58 performance indicators across 11 issue categories. These categories cover climate change mitigation, air quality, sanitation, biodiversity, waste management, and more. The 2024 EPI focuses on progress toward UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement, and biodiversity targets like the 30×30 goal. Scores range from 0 (worst) to 100 (best), with higher scores indicating stronger environmental performance.

Estonia

Estonia (EPI Score: 75.1), tops the 2024 EPI, a historic first for an Eastern European country. Estonia finds itself on the top for the following reasons: 59 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since 1990, high in air quality, and biodiversity protection, with 23 percent of its land and 18 percent of its marine areas protected.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg (EPI Score: 75.0), ranks second due to exceptional performance in environmental health, particularly water resources and sanitation. Don’t get fooled by its size, its compact size allows efficient implementation of green policies like clean water infrastructure and waste management. Luxembourg protects 55 percent of its land for biodiversity, among the highest in Europe.

Germany

Germany (EPI Score: 74.5), secures third place with strong air quality and waste management systems. Germany gets over 40 percent of electricity from wind, solar, and biomass. Germany excels in environmental governance as well. Germany’s protected areas cover 37 percent of land.

Finland

Finland (EPI Score: 73.8), earns its spot with perfect scores in sanitation and heavy metals control. The country gets its energy from a mix of hydropower, wind, biofuels, and nuclear power. Finland’s forests, which covers 73 percent of land area, are sustainably managed.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom (EPI Score: 72.7) ranks fifth. It excels in marine protection with over 30 percent of ocean territory fully protected. The UK scores well in air quality and waste management, with robust recycling systems.

Sweden

Sweden (EPI Score: 72.7), shares the fifth-place with the UK. Sweden’s forest management is world-class, with 69 percent of land forested and sustainably harvested. Sweden scores highly in fisheries sustainability and air quality. The country gets its energy from renewable sources like hydropower and wind.

Norway

Norway (EPI Score: 72.7), known for its fjords and natural beauty, ranks seventh with leadership in heavy metals control and wastewater treatment. Its extensive protected areas include 17 percent of land and 8 percent of seas). Norway’s electric vehicle adoption is the highest in the world.

Austria

Austria’s eighth-place ranking (EPI Score: 71.1) is due to its impressive biodiversity and habitat protection. The country excels in air pollution mitigation, and its renewable energy share exceeds 70 percent. Austria’s waste management and recycling systems are top-tier as well.

Switzerland

Switzerland (EPI Score: 70.9), nestled in the Alps, ranks ninth with outstanding waste management and drinking water quality. Its biodiversity efforts protect 14 percent of its land, focusing on alpine ecosystems and species like the ibex. Switzerland gets its energy from a mix of hydropower, nuclear, and solar. Switzerland is also famous for its excellent air quality.

Denmark

Denmark (EPI Score: 70.5) excels in renewable energy, with wind power generating over 50 percent of electricity. Denmark’s air quality and sanitation scores are near-perfect, and its biodiversity efforts protect 15 percent of land and 8 percent of seas.

According to data from the World Population Review, these are the top six most-visited countries of all time in the world. This list includes the likes of France, China, and the United States. Did your nation make the cut? Check it out.

France – 89.4 million

France is one of the most loved travel spots in the world, famously known for its landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, the Côte d’Azur, Versailles and Disneyland Paris. Its long history, culture, delicious food, and 54 UNESCO World Heritage Sites bring millions of visitors every year.

Spain – 83.7 million

Spain attracts travellers with its lively culture, old architecture, and sunny beaches. Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia and Madrid’s Prado Museum highlight Spain’s art, while the Alhambra in Granada shows Moorish beauty.

United States – 79.3 millions

The United States offers a variety of attractions for tourists, from the busy streets of New York City to the natural wonder of the Grand Canyon and the fun of Disney World in Florida.

The US also has 26 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Yellowstone National Park, and a well-developed tourism network that makes travel easy and enjoyable.

China – 65.7 million

China attracts people with its mix of ancient traditions and modern cities. The Great Wall stretches across mountains and valleys (nature), while the Forbidden City in Beijing reflects imperial history.

Italy – 64.5 million

Italy is home to 61 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is home to art, history, and food. The Colosseum and Pantheon in Rome are filled with echoes of ancient times, while Venice’s canals offer romantic charm and Florence’s Uffizi Gallery showcases Renaissance (a period in European civilisation that was marked by a revival of Classical learning and wisdom) masterpieces.

Turkey – 51.2 million

Turkey sits between Europe and Asia, offering a blend of cultures. In Istanbul, the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque stand as iconic landmarks, while Cappadocia offers breathtaking hot-air balloon rides. Ancient ruins such as Ephesus make the country a diverse and exciting destination.

Which European city tops your travel wishlist – Paris, Rome, or Venice? Explore 7 stunning cities across Europe filled with culture, history, and charm. These top destinations might just inspire your next unforgettable journey.

Paris, France

Known as the “City of Light”, Paris remains one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and a dream destination for travellers. With landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris blends rich history with vibrant culture. From its elegant boulevards to its romantic cafés along the Seine, the French capital is a must-visit on any European travel itinerary.

Rome, Italy

Rome is a city where history comes alive. As one of the best European cities for cultural exploration, the Italian capital is home to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican City. Its ancient ruins, Renaissance art, and lively piazzas make Rome one of the top destinations in Europe for travellers seeking a mix of heritage, cuisine, and modern charm.

Prague, Czech Republic

Nicknamed the “City of a Hundred Spires”, Prague’s skyline is a storybook scene of castles, Gothic churches, and Baroque palaces. Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, and Prague Castle make it one of the best European cities for history lovers. Its cobbled streets, medieval charm, and vibrant café culture ensure Prague stands out among the top destinations in Europe.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Famous for its scenic canals, historic houses, and vibrant art scene, Amsterdam is a city that blends tradition with modernity. As one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, it is loved for its museums, tulip gardens, and cycling culture. Whether cruising along the canals or exploring the Van Gogh Museum, visitors find Amsterdam a unique highlight of any European travel experience.

Venice, Italy

Venice’s romantic canals and Renaissance buildings make it one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. From gondola rides along the Grand Canal to exploring St. Mark’s Basilica, Venice is a timeless travel gem. Known for its unique charm and artistic allure, the “Floating City” secures its place among the top destinations in Europe for unforgettable travel experiences.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona dazzles with its Gothic architecture, Mediterranean beaches, and the striking works of Antoni Gaudí, including the iconic Sagrada Família. This Spanish gem ranks high among the most beautiful cities in Europe, offering a delightful mix of history, art, and nightlife. Travellers to Barcelona can enjoy both seaside leisure and cultural experiences, making it an essential stop for European travel.

Vienna, Austria

Vienna, the capital of classical music, is a cultural jewel among the best European cities to visit. With grand imperial palaces, elegant coffee houses, and world-class opera houses, Vienna offers travellers a taste of history and sophistication. Its Baroque architecture and musical legacy make it one of the top destinations in Europe for culture enthusiasts.

What if you are standing at an airport and suddenly witness a train rolling right across the runway instead of just seeing planes? This is exactly what Gisborne Airport in New Zealand is, where trains and aeroplanes are seen on the same runway but never at the same time. This airport makes the next wonder of the world, where a working railway line cuts directly across a main runway.

It is a small city with a one-of-a-kind airport, which is located on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island. The airport is spread across 160 hectares and is intersected by the Palmerston North-Gisborne railway line, dividing the main runway nearly in half. The operating times of both the airport and railway lie between 6:30 am and 8:30 pm daily, after which they are closed.

The surprising part of this unusual setup is that trains and planes need to give way to each other because if an aircraft is passing through, a train will have to wait and vice versa. The most interesting part of it is that the airport controls the railway signals and halts trains when it is necessary to land or take off flights. And it also connects Gisborne to the nearby town of Muriwai.

What are the challenges?

At Gisborne Airport, the difficult part is to maintain timing as a train crosses the runway; it needs to stop and wait for permission from the air traffic control tower of the airport. Similarly, if a plane is required to take off or land, trains will have to be stopped until the runway is clear, and this condition applies vice versa for flights.

To keep passengers safe and operations smooth, airport staff and train operators always remain in constant contact with each other. This makes the management team at Gisborne Airport tackle the special challenge of ensuring trains and planes never meet at the crossing.

Surprisingly, the Wynyard Airport in Tasmania once had a similar pattern, but it ceased to operate in 2005. As a result, Gisborne was left with the only airport in the world where trains and flights are active on the same runway.