Cleantech Group, World Wildlife Fund release first-ever global cleantech innovation ranking. Denmark, Israel and Sweden dominate top-three slots
Going green, going strong: Israel is among the top-three nations worldwide that provide the best conditions for clean technology startup companies, a recent ranking by the CleanTech Group stated. Topping the list was Denmark, followed by Israel, Sweden, Finland and the United States.
"Coming Clean: The Global Cleantech Innovation Index 2012," is a first-of-its-kind ranking, complied by the CleanTech Group and the World Wildlife Fund. It listed the top 38 countries worldwide to offer clean energy projects the most favorable conditions.
The report explored clean energy opportunities in each of the 38 countries. The evaluation was based on a 15-indicators scale, which reviewed the creation and commercialization of cleantech start-ups according their potential in relation to their economic size, and innovation projections for the next 10 years.
In 2011, Israel was ranked the world's fourth-leading nation in cleantech investments.
"Israel leads the pack in its capacity to produce new innovative cleantech companies per capita," The report said.
According to the report, the two factors that kept Israel out of the top spot are its small domestic market, and "the lack of government support for cleantech development."
"The global macro-economic landscape is shifting; fostering entrepreneurial start-ups and growth companies with clean technology solutions will be an increasingly important part of countries' competitiveness on the world stage," Richard Youngman, of the Cleantech Group said.
"This index shows that several countries are on the right track, but clearly much more needs to be done if we are to properly address climate change and achieve a transition towards a global 100% renewable future," Samantha Smith of the WWF's Global Climate and Energy Initiative, said.