Journal of Environmental Biology

Environmental performance as one of the indicators of

sustainable development in Asia

Slavom?r Bucher*

Institute of Geography, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef ?af?rik University in Ko?ice, Jesenn? 5, 040 01 Ko?ice, Slovakia

*Corresponding Author E-mail: slavobucher@yahoo.com

Key words

Ecosystem vitality,

Environmental health,

Human development index,

Performance index

Publication Data

Paper received : 25.11.2015

Revised received : 14.02.2016

Re-revised received : 14.03.2016

Accepted : 06.06.2016

Abstract

Aim : The present study examined the correlation between the achieved environmental health and ecosystem vitality measured by Environmental Performance Index and factors, represented as independent variables ? Health Index, Environmental Sustainability, Innovations and Human Development Index in Asia. Selecting appropriate indicators and methodology for arriving at the acceptable environmental quality of life, which quantify the impacts of environmental degradation on well-being, including impacts on health, access to natural resources, and losses caused by natural disasters is a subject of much debate and research.

Methodology : Association between independent variables and Environmental Performance Index were assessed using Pearson correlation and regression models. Descriptive statistics were used in order to hierarchical classification of countries in the sample based on their competitiveness score on nine issue categories, each of which fit under one of two overarching objectives.

Results : Although significant positive correlations were found between the selected independent variables such as Health index, Environmental Sustainability, Innovation, Human Development Index and two sub-indexes of Environmental Performance. High correlation between Environmental Performance and Human Development Index suggested that the analyzed countries should improve environmental health and ecosystem vitality to improve the overall long-term sustainable development. In other words, improvement in the partial competitiveness of a country empowers growth in its long-term environmental competitiveness.

Interpretation : It is important to point out that incensement of Environmental Performance Index significantly contributes to the Human Development.? In order to create sustainable and efficient green environment essential for human health that would result in desired ecosystem vitality and environmental health outcomes, there has to be cooperation between the environmental sector and others sectors in a country. The outcomes of the present research strongly highlight that high-developed Asian countries demonstrate commendable achievement regarding most effective indicators of environmental sustainability and development.

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