How does Britain compare with the rest of the world when it comes to pollution?

This week the world's leading climate scientists warned that we must keep global warming to a maximum of 1.5C in the next 12 years. Beyond that, the UN report said, just half a degree will increase the risk of extreme climate change including drought and floods around the world.

So how does Britain compare with the rest of the world when it comes to pollution?

The map below shows the world according to how much CO2 is produced per capita.

The worst offender, according to 2014 World Bank data, is Qatar. It belches out more CO2 per capita, 45.4 tonnes, than anywhere else. The Middle Eastern country is followed by Curacao and Trinidad and Tobago, while its neighbours Kuwait and Bahrain complete the top five. The UK sits in 48th, on 6.5 tonnes, which is poor when you consider that some of our European neighbours are at the cleaner end of the list.

Countries that emit the most CO2 per capita

1. Qatar - 45.4 tonnes
2. Curacao - 37.7
3. Trinidad and Tobago - 34.2
4. Kuwait - 25.2
5. Bahrain - 23.4
6. UAE - 23.3
7. Brunei - 22.1
8. Saudi Arabia - 19.5
9. Sint Maarten - 19.5
10. Luxembourg - 17.4
11. United States - 16.5
12. New Caledonia - 16
13. Gibraltar - 15.5
14. Australia - 15.4
15. Oman - 15.4

Greece, Iceland, Denmark, Italy, France and Croatia all perform better than the UK, but they each still emit more than four tonnes of CO2 per capita. Liechtenstein is the top European country (1.2 tonnes), while the lowest figures are all found in African nations. 

Countries that emit the least CO2 per capita

1. Somalia - 0.0 tonnes 
2. Burundi - 0.0
3. Uganda - 0.1
4. South Sudan - 0.1
5. Rwanda - 0.1
6. Niger - 0.1
7. Mali - 0.1
8. Malawi - 0.1
9. Madagascar - 0.1
10. Ethiopia - 0.1
11. Democratic Republic of Congo - 0.1
12. Chad - 0.1
13. Central African Republic - 0.1
14. Tanzania - 0.2
15. Sierra Leone - 0.2

The UK, it should be noted, performs far better on another ranking of eco-friendliness.

The Environmental Performance Index (EPI), produced by the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy, was based on an assessment of the policies of 180 nations, reflecting whether they meet internationally established environmental targets or, in the absence of agreed targets, how they compared to one another.

Top of the eco-chart is Finland. According to the 2016 EPI report, Finland’s ranking "stems from its societal commitment to achieve a carbon-neutral society". It adds: "Finland’s goal of consuming 38 per cent of their final energy from renewable sources by 2020 is legally binding, and they already produce nearly two-thirds of their electricity from renewable or nuclear power sources."

Following close behind are Iceland, Sweden and Denmark, three countries renowned for their sound environmental policies. More surprising, perhaps, is the presence of Slovenia, Spain, Portugal and Malta in the top 10.

The UK places 12th, with an EPI score of 87.38. The US is 26th, with 84.26.

The 20 most environmentally friendly countries

1. Finland - EPI rating: 90.68
2. Iceland - 90.51
3. Sweden - 90.43
4. Denmark - 89.21
5. Slovenia - 88.98
6. Spain - 88.91
7. Portugal - 88.63
8. Estonia - 88.59
9. Malta - 88.48
10. France - 88.2
11. New Zealand - 88
12. United Kingdom - 87.38
13. Australia - 87.22
14. Singapore - 87.04
15. Croatia - 86.98
16. Switzerland - 86.93
17. Norway - 86.9
18. Austria - 86.64
19. Ireland - 86.6
20. Luxembourg - 86.58

Bosnia and Herzogovina has the worst rating of any European country, placing 120th with a score of 63.28 – below the likes of Iraq, Syria, Libya and China.