The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index
In a World of limited natural resources and human induced changes to the natural and social environment, the GDP is not an inclusive measurement to compare prosperity and the development potential of countries. Based on models for evaluating corporate sustainability and risk modelling tools, SolAbility has developed a Sustainable Competitiveness model with the aim of measuring sustainable prosperity and growth potential of nations. Data indicators tracked by the World Bank, the IMF and various UN agencies have been grouped into four pillars of Sustainable Competitiveness:
Natural Capital
Resource Intensity and Efficiency
Sustainable Innovation Competitiveness
Social Cohesion
These four pillars form the Sustainable Competitiveness of a country, which can be used as an alternative to the national GDP. The data has been analysed and compared for 176 countries around the World. Key findings of the Sustainable Competitiveness analysis include:
The World Sustainable Competitiveness Index is topped by the Scandinavian countries. Japan is the only non-European country in the top ten
The Natural Capital and Resource Intensity rankings are led by lesser developed countries with a rich biodiversity, favourable climate and sufficient water resources. Clear distinctions are visible between industrialised nations. Countries with a low resource efficiency are likely to face obstacles to sustain prosperity in the age of raw material and energy scarcity
Asian nations (Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea) top the Sustainable Innovation Competitiveness ranking. However, achieving sustainable development and growth might be compromised by the current high resource intensity/low resource efficiency in some of the Asian countries, if not addressed vigorously
The Social Cohesion ranking is headed by Northern European and Scandinavian countries
“The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Report” can be downloaded here. Alternatively, the report is also available as an online e-book.
The Sustainable Competitiveness World Map:
About SolAbility
SolAbility is a sustainability consultancy, providing sustainable management strategy and management tool development to corporations and ESG research to institutional investors. SolAbility clients have been recognised as global sustainability leaders in their respective industry sectors.
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