India tops list on best sustainable behaviour

India topped a list of 17 nations on best sustainable behaviour, with consumers in the US last on the list, according to a new survey.

The global analysis by the National Geographic Society found Indian consumers were the most conscious about their environment footprint and more guilty about their impact despite having the best sustainable behaviour.

Ironically, people in developing countries like India, China and Brazil, in that order, were making the most sustainable choices, while consumers in the rich nations had the least sustainable lifestyles.

India accounted for a Greendex score of 58.9, followed by China at 57.8 and Brazil at 55.5, while the US was ranked the lowest at a score of 44.7. People in India and other developing countries were also found to be the most "guilty about the impact" they have on the environment.

"Yet 45 per cent of Indian and 42 per cent of Chinese consumers feel guilty about the impact they have on the environment – first and second among those surveyed and two times higher than Americans," it said.