RESPONSIBLE NATIONS INDEX TO BE LAUNCHED

Why in the News?

• New global index launch: The Responsible Nations Index will be launched on January 19 by the World Intellectual Foundation.
• High-profile presence: Former President Ram Nath Kovind will be present at the launch event.
• Academic collaboration: The Index is being launched in collaboration with leading Indian academic institutions.

KEY FEATURES OF THE RESPONSIBLE NATIONS INDEX

• Three-dimensional framework: The Index evaluates countries based on internal, environmental, and external responsibility, offering a holistic governance assessment.
• Citizen-centric focus: Internal responsibility assesses dignity, justice, inclusivity, and overall well-being of citizens within each country, including efforts to maintain a pollution free environment.
• Environmental stewardship: Environmental responsibility examines natural resource management, sustainability practices, and climate action commitments. This includes evaluating countries’ adherence to environmental clearances processes and implementation of key legislation such as the Forest Conservation Act and Coastal Regulation Zone regulations.
• Global role assessment: External responsibility measures peace-building efforts, international cooperation, and contributions to global stability.
• Wide global coverage: The Index covers 154 countries, ensuring broad international comparability and relevance.

INSTITUTIONAL COLLABORATION AND METHODOLOGY

• Academic partners involved: The Index is developed with Jawaharlal Nehru University, Indian Institute of Management Mumbai, and the Dr Ambedkar International Centre.
• Transparent data sources: It relies on globally sourced, publicly available datasets to ensure objectivity and reliability. This includes data from environmental impact assessments and reports based on the EIA notification guidelines.
• Comparability ensured: Standardised indicators allow cross-country comparison without regional or political bias.
• Policy relevance: Findings aim to support evidence-based policymaking and international benchmarking, particularly in areas of environmental governance.
• Credibility focus: Institutional backing and data transparency enhance the global credibility of the Index.