The rankings were made public at the Climate Change Conference in Marrakesh, which shows Portugal has climbed eight places to eighth on the list.
The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), compiled by German Watch and the European Climate Action Network puts Portugal back in the top ten, after it fell ten places to 19th last year. Portugal’s improved performance is explained as mostly being the result of a significant development in renewable energies.
Researchers who compiled the rankings would also have taken note that the country ran on renewable energy alone for four straight days earlier this year.
The extraordinary feat was achieved between 7 and 11 May, and Portugal was even able to export excess renewable energy during the period.
Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) known as Zero said this proves that Portugal could be even more ambitious in moving from electrical power to being 100 percent renewable, which it said would result in enormous reductions in harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
For the past 12 years, the Climate Change Performance Index has been keeping track of countries’ efforts in combating climate change.
With the historic Paris Agreement having recently entered into force, this year’s CCPI confirms a boost for renewable energy and positive developments in energy efficiency.
Jan Burck, Germanwatch, key author of the CCPI said in a statement that the conditions for a global energy revolution have never been better.
“Due to the falling costs of renewable energy and efficiency technologies, national governments have no more excuses not to enshrine the Paris Agreement into national law”, he said, adding: “Besides the vast development of renewable energy, we see positive signals that fossil fuels increasingly are put on the defence. So far, falling oil prices did not cause an increase in demand for the energy source while a growing number of countries are starting to turn their backs on coal.”