The Environmental Conventions Index (ECI) is a comprehensive tool for assessing global environmental commitments. Tailored for researchers and policymakers, the ECI delivers an evaluation of how nations are implementing environmental policy in line with their obligations under various multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs).​ By presenting empirical data and analyses, the ECI aims to answer how effectively these global commitments are enacted on the ground. Its scores, rooted in standardized reports submitted by participating countries, facilitate a comprehensive comparison across nations and conventions.

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By increasing data availability and accessibility, the ECI facilitates knowledge sharing, particularly among small states, empowering them to target specific areas for improvement and identify where assistance is needed. This helps counter the narrative that larger, developed nations have higher implementation rates—a narrative that the ECI data often disproves. By knowing their ECI scores across conventions and benefiting from shared knowledge, small states can engage in the multilateral environmental processes with greater confidence, leveraging this knowledge to build partnerships, form alliances, and strengthen their influence in global environmental governance. Expanding access to reliable data ensures that all countries, regardless of size or capacity, are equipped with the tools necessary for effective negotiation and implementation of MEAs.