Japan's efforts to combat climate change rank poorly among the world's major emitters of greenhouse gases, putting it in 53rd place in a survey of 58 countries and regions, according to research announced at climate talks in Peru.

Denmark placed No. 1 on the list.

The Climate Change Performance Index of the 58 biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, compiled by a research group led by German think tank Germanwatch, was announced Monday at the 20th session of the Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework on Climate Change in Lima.

Japan slipped in ranking from 50th place last year thanks to its increase in greenhouse gas emissions. It was lower than other major emitters, with the United States at 44th and China at 45th.

Denmark's steady fall in emissions and adoption of policies to expand renewable energy gave it a score of 77.76, putting it in the highest spot for the third year running, followed by Sweden and Britain.

However, Denmark was officially ranked as fourth place. The first three places were left empty to emphasize the fact that no country's efforts are sufficient to achieve the global target of less than a 2-degree increase in temperature compared with the dawn of the Industrial Revolution.

The index is calculated from data on emissions, use of renewable energy and energy efficiency, combined with an evaluation of policies on combating climate change.

Japan's score fell to 45.07 from last year's 47.21. Last Thursday the Environment Ministry announced greenhouse gas emissions in fiscal 2013 were the worst on record, having risen to the equivalent of 1.3 million tons of carbon dioxide.

Australia placed the worst among industrialized nations, second from the bottom in 60th place.