SEVERAL CARIBBEAN islands have been named as the world’s least polluted counties, according to a new data.

The new rankings from  IQAir’s data, has listed five Caribbean nations in the top ten of the world’s least polluted countries in the world.

The Bahamas, Grenada, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands all made the top ten.

Bonaire, Sit Eustatius and Saba islands are the fifth least polluted place in the world.

According to the new findings, The US Virgin Island has the least pollution in the Caribbean.

The research found that the world’s least polluted areas tend to have relatively small populations.

Bangladesh was listed as the most polluted country for the fourth consecutive year.

Followed by Chad, Pakistan, Tajikistan and India.

The research measures the annual average concentration of PM 2.5 in each country in micrograms and then it is divided by cubic metres (µg/m³).

That figure is then taken from 8,000 data points.

The results cover every country in the world and some island territories.

Environmental experts are calling on countries to do all they can to lower pollution levels by implementing public transport programmes to reduce harmful emissions.

Move to renewable energy

Several Caribbean nations have announced they are making efforts to establish a more reliable renewable energy sector, as the war in Ukraine has contributed to steep rise in the cost of fuel for the region.

The Barbados National Energy Policy is calling for diesel and gasoline to be eliminated for local transport sources.

Innovative projects like U-Earth’s Pure Air Zone, which aim to help neutralise contaminants in the air say it is a “crucial time” for mankind.

“We are at a crucial time in human existence right now. It’s up to humanity to save itself,” says U-Earth CEO, Betta Maggio.

“99% of people around the world live in a place where they breathe unsafe air. We are trying to change that.

Pure Air Zones not only contribute to the health and safety of a business’ visitors, but propel them as a sustainable brand and create awareness around the wider issue of air pollution.” 

Last year, the prime minister of Barbados was shortlisted for the United Nations (UN) highest environmental award for her work raising awareness about climate change.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), named Mia Mottley as one of those chosen as the UNEP’s 2021 Champions of the Earth awards.

Ms Mottley has been described as a “driving force for climate action” across the Caribbean and Latin America.

The United Kingdom was listed as the 24^th least polluted country on the full list.

IQ Airs’s top ten list of the world’s least polluted countries as of 2021 is:

1. New Caledonia – 3.8 µg/m³
2. US Virgin Islands – 4.5 µg/m³
3. Puerto Rico – 4.8 µg/m³
4. Cape Verde – 5.1 µg/m³
5. Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba – 5.1 µg/m³
6. Finland – 5.5 µg/m³
7. Grenada – 5.5 µg/m³
8. Bahamas – 5.5 µg/m³
9. Australia – 5.7 µg/m³
10. Estonia – 5.9 µg/m³

The top ten list of the world’s most polluted countries as of 2021 is:

1. Bangladesh – 76.9 µg/m³
2. Chad – 75.9 µg/m³
3. Pakistan – 66.8 µg/m³
4. Tajikistan – 59.4 µg/m³
5. India – 58.1 µg/m³
6. Oman – 53.9 µg/m³
7. Kyrgyzstan – 50.8 µg/m³
8. Bahrain – 49.8 µg/m³
9. Iraq – 49.7 µg/m³
10. Nepal –  46 µg/m³