Barbados: environment

What is Barbados' renewable energy target?

Barbados aims to become a 100% renewable energy and carbon-neutral island state by 2030, according to the Ministry of Energy, Business Development and Consumer Affairs' Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Unit page, under the Barbados National Energy Policy 2019-2030.

For the starting point, renewables produced 7.3% of Barbados' electricity in 2021, according to the World Bank's World Development Indicators, the latest year shown. Fuel imports cost $540.7 million in the first half of 2026, according to the Central Bank of Barbados.

Official sources: Ministry of Energy: Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy · World Bank API: renewable electricity output, Barbados · Central Bank of Barbados: Review of Barbados' Economy, January to June 2026 (PDF)

What is Barbados' debt-for-nature swap?

Barbados' 2022 debt-for-nature deal refinanced more than US$150 million of debt and generates about US$50 million in savings for marine conservation, according to the Central Bank of Barbados' Review of Barbados' Economy: January to June 2026. A 2024 debt-for-climate-resilience deal of close to US$300 million generates US$125 million in savings for the South Coast Water Reclamation Project.

The savings go through the Barbados Environmental Sustainability Fund and the water project. The Central Bank says climate-aligned instruments make up about 10% of public debt, and the rest is not climate-aligned. The IMF's Resilience and Sustainability Facility added about US$193 million from 2022 to 2025.

Official sources: Central Bank of Barbados: Review of Barbados' Economy, January to June 2026 (PDF)

What are Barbados' greenhouse gas emissions?

Barbados emitted 0.91 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in CO2 equivalent in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank's World Development Indicators.

The total covers carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases, weighted by their warming effect. The National Energy Policy aims for a carbon-neutral energy sector by 2030, according to the Ministry of Energy.

Official sources: World Bank API: greenhouse gas emissions, Barbados · Ministry of Energy: Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy

How much CO2 does Barbados emit per person?

2.5 tonnes: that is carbon dioxide emissions per person in Barbados for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 3.1 tonnes; its low point was 2021, at 2.3 tonnes. It is 16th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 2.3 tonnes. Worldwide: 93rd of 186.

How much greenhouse gas does Barbados emit?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, total greenhouse gas emissions in Barbados was 0.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (2012) to 1.1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (2019). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 19.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Barbados placed 27th highest of 33. Worldwide: 170th of 186.

How much renewable energy does Barbados use?

According to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, the renewable share of final energy use in Barbados was 5.5% in 2022. The peak was 8.8% in 2006 and the low 2.8% in 2016. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 7.2%, and Barbados placed 6th highest of 10. Of 53 countries with 2022 data, 41st highest.

What is Barbados' forest cover?

According to the FAO, forest area as a share of land in Barbados was 14.6% in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 50.6%, and Barbados placed 30th highest of 32. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 133rd highest.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Barbados?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Barbados was 10.9 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 12.9 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2014, at 9.4 micrograms per cubic metre. Latin America & Caribbean median: 15.7 micrograms per cubic metre; Barbados is 26th highest of 33. Worldwide: 147th of 192.

How much of Barbados is in national parks and reserves?

1.1%: that is the share of land in protected areas in Barbados for 2025, according to the UN Environment Programme. Since 2013 it has ranged from 0.1% (2013) to 1.3% (2015). It is 33rd highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 20.1%. World rank, highest first: 184th of 192.

What is water stress in Barbados?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2022, is 87.5%. It has not changed since 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 7.7%; Barbados is 1st highest of 32. Worldwide: 19th of 175.