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Most countries in Africa are committed to conservation and sustainable practices in one way or another, devoting their time and resources to the preservation of the wildlife and wildlands in the region.
Since ecosystems and species are vital for combating climate change which is disproportionately affecting the continent, we have drawn up a list of the 4 most sustainable countries in Africa that earned their sustainability ranking based on the impact their governments’ policies have on environmental health, their effects on people, and the vitality of their ecosystem.
Curious? well, here are the 4 most sustainable countries in Africa:
Seychelles
Seychelles is one of the oldest oceanic islands on earth and home to several thousand indigenous species of flora and fauna.
It has embarked on several successful conservation projects like removing the Seychelles magpie-robin and the Seychelles Scops Owl from the highest extinction threat.
In 2018, the Seychelles government initiated a marine spatial plan, designating a 210,000 square kilometer area of ocean as their responsibility to protect and manage.
Seychelles has an environmental safety score of 77.72, an ecosystem vitality score of 58.22, and ranks 39th in the EPI world ranking.
Egypt
Air pollution and water pollution in the Nile are some of Egypt’s primary environmental concerns.
Egypt seeks to become more sustainable and has rolled out a program that intends to end plastic use, air pollution, affirm local accountability for water supply and sanitation service, and become more dependent on renewable energy by the year 2020.
Egypt has an environmental health score of 68.61, an ecosystem vitality of 56.28, and ranks 66th in the EPI world ranking.
Morocco
Morocco is the second richest country in the Mediterranean in terms of biodiversity, according to Social Watch.
It has several green policies, some of which are conserving its underground aquifers, treating the ocean as an important natural resource, and lifting all subsidies for diesel and petroleum fuel to encourage the development of alternative energies.
Morocco has an environmental health score of 67.43, an ecosystem vitality score of 60.82, and ranks 54th in the EPI world ranking.
Tunisia
There are not-for-profit entities in Tunisia that are dedicated to preserving the country’s habitats.
A non-profit like the Tunisian Association for the Protection of Nature and the Environment which was founded in 1971 and linked with Friends of the Earth in 1995, has been an active force in the promotion of healthy environmental habits in Tunisia.
It was key in setting the Water Code and Urban Planning code and helped develop the Forestry Code and maritime resource regulations.
Tunisia has an environmental health score of 81.12, an ecosystem vitality score of 49.83, and ranks 58th in the EPI world ranking.