The Washington DC based, National Geographic Society and Globescan ranked average consumers in 17 countries according to the environmental sustainability of their behavior. For the third time in a row, consumers in the large developing economies of Brazil, India and China have scored highest, while Canadians and Americans, with their relatively massive environmental footprints as individuals, have scored lowest.
The Greendex is a comprehensive measure of consumer behavior in 65 areas relating to housing, transportation, food and consumer goods.By environmentally friendly consumer behavior, the Geographic implies people’s transportation patterns, household energy and resource use, consumption of food and everyday consumer goods, and what consumers are doing to minimize the impact these activities have on the environment. One thousand consumers were polled in each country. As you can see above, India, China and Brazil top the list of sustainable behavior again this year. Canada figure at #16 and the United States rank last again at #17.
Consumers in countries such as Mexico, Brazil, China and India tend to be most concerned about issues like climate change, air and water pollution, species loss, and shortages of fresh water—all factors affecting the planet’s ability to support life. Consumers in these large emerging economies are the most likely to report that environmental problems are having a negative impact on their health today. In contrast, the economy and the cost of energy and fuel elicit the most concern among American, French and British consumers.
Despite the increasing use of personal automobiles, Chinese, Mexican and Indian consumers are the most likely to say that they choose to live close to their usual destinations to minimize the impact of their personal transportation on the environment.Chinese consumers remain the most likely to walk or ride a bicycle to their usual destinations.
Individuals around the world can find out where they rank on the Greendex scale by visiting nationalgeographic.com/greendex and taking an abbreviated survey.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
