GREENEST COUNTRIES

HDI : 0.884 ( Very High ) HPI : 36 ( 15th ) GGE : 5.87 NSC : 5.87

HDI : 0.795 ( High ) HPI : 36.8 ( 14th ) GGE : 6.90 NSC : N / A

The country has been able to attain a high life expectancy , widespread feelings of wellbeing and steady economic growth while keeping greenhouse gas emissions under control . Renewables provide 94.5 % of the country ’ s electricity at prices lower than in the past , relative to inflation with massive investments in wind , solar and biomass technology . In doing so , Uruguay has slashed its carbon footprint without heavy government subsidies or higher consumer costs , allowing it to become one of the wealthiest countries in Latin America .

Ranking only slightly below Norway on the Human Development and Happy Planet indices , Spain has the advantage of having invested heavily in renewable energy . This suggests that the country will have an easier time maintaining its low greenhouse gas emissions while still generating all of the energy it needs for economic prosperity . So much so , Spain is aiming to provide 100 % of its energy needs using only renewable sources by 2020 , and energy experts in the country believe it ’ s a highly achievable target .

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