Afghanistan: environment

What are Afghanistan's CO2 emissions?

Afghanistan's carbon dioxide emissions were 0.28 tonnes per person in 2024, excluding land use, according to World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026. Total greenhouse gas emissions were 33.0 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

The per-person figure covers carbon dioxide only, from fuel burning and industry. The total also includes methane and nitrous oxide, much of which comes from farming and livestock. Both exclude land use change and forestry.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Afghanistan · World Bank: total greenhouse gas emissions, Afghanistan

How bad is air pollution in Kabul?

People in Afghanistan were exposed to an average of 37.9 micrograms of fine particles (PM2.5) per cubic metre in 2023, according to World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026. The figure is national, not Kabul only.

Fine particles come from sources such as vehicles, heating and cooking fuels, and dust. The Ministry of Public Health said on 13 October 2026 that its air pollution inspectors had checked facilities across Kabul and told owners to stop operating unless equipped with smoke filtration systems.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Afghanistan · Ministry of Public Health: Kabul air pollution inspections

How many people in Afghanistan have electricity?

87.8% of Afghanistan's population had access to electricity in 2024, according to World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.

Access counts people with an electricity connection or an off-grid source such as solar home systems, whatever the hours of supply. It does not show how reliable supply is. Electricity tariffs are set by the national power company, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherikat, whose site showed no readable tariff table on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: access to electricity, Afghanistan

Where does Afghanistan's electricity come from?

78.2% of the electricity generated in Afghanistan in 2021 came from renewable sources, according to World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026. This is the latest year shown.

The figure covers electricity generated inside Afghanistan, not imported power. Renewables made up 20% of total final energy use in 2022, which also counts fuel for transport, heating and cooking. The Ministry of Energy and Water is responsible for electricity policy.

Official sources: World Bank: renewable electricity output, Afghanistan · World Bank: renewable energy consumption, Afghanistan

How many people in Afghanistan have safe drinking water?

30.6% of Afghanistan's population used safely managed drinking water in 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF data on World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.

Safely managed means water from an improved source, such as a piped supply or protected well, that is on the premises, available when needed and free from contamination. People who use an improved source that misses one of those tests are not counted. The Ministry of Energy and Water is responsible for water resources.

Official sources: World Bank: safely managed drinking water, Afghanistan

How much of Afghanistan is forest?

Forest covered 1.85% of Afghanistan's land area in 2024, according to UN Food and Agriculture Organization data on World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.

Forest means land of more than half a hectare with trees over five metres tall and canopy cover of more than 10%, not counting orchards or farm tree crops. The National Environmental Protection Agency publishes news on environmental protection, including wildlife and waste, on its site.

Official sources: World Bank: forest area, Afghanistan · National Environmental Protection Agency

What is Afghanistan's carbon footprint per person?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 0.3 tonnes. The peak was 0.4 tonnes in 2011 and the low 0.1 tonnes in 2005. It is 21st highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 3.6 tonnes. Worldwide: 164th of 186.

How much greenhouse gas does Afghanistan emit?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, total greenhouse gas emissions in Afghanistan was 33.0 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 18th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 103 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. World rank, highest first: 105th of 186.

What share of Afghanistan's energy comes from renewables?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2022, is 20.0%. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 33.9%; its low point was 2011, at 12.6%. Of 53 countries with 2022 data, 32nd highest.

What share of Afghanistan is covered by forest?

The FAO puts forest area as a share of land in Afghanistan at 1.9% in 2024. It has not changed since 2005. It is 10th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 1.6%. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 172nd highest.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Afghanistan?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Afghanistan was 37.9 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Since 2005 it has ranged from 34.2 micrograms per cubic metre (2020) to 48.1 micrograms per cubic metre (2005). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 40.3 micrograms per cubic metre, and Afghanistan placed 13th highest of 22. Worldwide: 26th of 192.

What share of Afghanistan is protected land?

According to the UN Environment Programme, the share of land in protected areas in Afghanistan was 3.6% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2013. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 9.8%, and Afghanistan placed 16th highest of 22. Worldwide: 175th of 192.

How much of Afghanistan's fresh water is used?

According to the FAO, water stress in Afghanistan was 54.8% in 2022. The figure has been the same every year since 2005. It is 19th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 116.7%. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 32nd highest.