Present Environmental Performance and Future Environmental Sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia-Pacific Regions: Rooted in Population-Development-Environment Nexus

Protap Mukherjee, Jawaharlal Nehru University
Lopamudra Ray Saraswati, Jawaharlal Nehru University

The present paper tries to examine the present level of environmental performances by the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia-Pacific regions and thereby to find out how the environmental performances are affected by population dynamics and incidence of poverty. The relationships among population dynamics, present environmental performance and future environmental sustainability achieved by these countries are also examined. Data for “Environmental Performance (2008)” and “Environmental Sustainability (2005)” have been obtained from YCELP and CIESIN of Columbia University. Environmental Performance Index a composite index based on 25 indicators in 6 policy categories (environmental health, air pollution, water quality, productive natural resources, bio-diversity and habitat and climate change) and Environmental Sustainability Index is based on 21 indicators in 5 components. Highly populated and low-income countries rank in lower order regarding indoor air-pollution, adequate sanitation, renewable energy and wilderness protection. There are statistically significant relationships among population, EPI and ESI. Environmental Health correlates significantly with overall development.