指数替代了之前的环境可持续指数(Environmental Sustainability Index),后者在1999年到2005年出版。两项指数都由耶鲁大学(耶鲁环境法规和政策中心)和哥伦比亚大学(国际地球科学信息网络中心)提出,并与世界經濟論壇、欧洲联盟委员会联合研究中心(英语:Joint Research Centre)合作。环境可持续指数用以评估其他国家环境可持续发展的相关问题。由于与该指数研发团队产生分歧,环境保护绩效指数使用了结果为导向的指标,方便政策制定、环境科学、倡导团体和公众参考。[2]
^Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy, and Center for International Earth Science Information Network at Columbia University. Environmental Performance Index. [2008-03-16]. (原始内容存档于2022-11-01).
^Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy / Center for International Earth Science Information Network at Columbia University. 2008 Environmental Performance Index Report(PDF). [2008-03-18]. (原始内容(PDF)存档于2008-04-09). See Executive Summary, pp. 32-35 for a detailed comparison between the ESI 2005, the EPI 2006 and the EPI 2008.
^ 4.04.14.24.3Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy / Center for International Earth Science Information Network at Columbia University. 2012 Environmental Performance Index. [2010-01-27]. (原始内容存档于2010-02-04).See also official Press release
^ 5.05.15.25.35.4Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy / Center for International Earth Science Information Network at Columbia University. 2010 EPI Rankings. [2012-01-25]. (原始内容存档于2012-05-05).
^ 6.06.16.2Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy / Center for International Earth Science Information Network at Columbia University. EPI 2012: Summary for Policymakers(PDF). EPI Yales. [2012-01-27]. (原始内容(PDF)存档于2016-12-30).
^Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy / Center for International Earth Science Information Network at Columbia University. EPI 2014: Summary for Policymakers(PDF). EPI Yales. [2014-12-02].[永久失效連結]