Classification of Countries Based on Environmental Performance Using the TOPSIS Sort-B Method and Identification of Common Characteristics of Countries with Good Environmental Performance

Abstract

The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) helps countries evaluate how close they are to achieving their environmental goals and develop strategies to improve performance. Many indices, like the EPI, do not classify decision-making units into predefined categories. This study addresses this by classifying 105 countries from the 2024 EPI into four categories using the TOPSIS Sort-B method. It also identifies the standard features of countries that have good environmental performance. The findings show that these countries share high per capita income, strong governance, personal freedoms, rule of law, education, environmental commitment, happiness, human development and sustainable development goals.