Benin: environment

What are the CO2 emissions of Benin?

Benin emitted 0.49 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person in 2024, excluding land use, according to the World Bank, from the EDGAR database. Total greenhouse gas emissions, including methane and nitrous oxide, were 17.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024, according to the same source.

Most of Benin's CO2 comes from fuel used in transport and power generation; agriculture is a large source of the other greenhouse gases. The figures exclude emissions and removals from forests and land-use change, which are reported separately in Benin's national communications to the UN climate convention.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Benin · World Bank: Total greenhouse gas emissions, Benin

How many people in Benin have electricity?

59% of Benin's population had access to electricity in 2024, up from 57% in 2023, according to the World Bank. Renewable energy made up 54.5% of final energy consumption in 2021, according to the same source.

Access is measured from household surveys and includes grid and off-grid connections such as solar home systems. The high renewable share mainly reflects the use of firewood and charcoal for cooking, not renewable electricity.

Official sources: World Bank: Access to electricity, Benin · World Bank: Renewable energy consumption, Benin

What is the air quality like in Benin?

People in Benin were exposed to an average of 39.7 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to the World Bank, down from 41.5 in 2022. The WHO guideline for annual average exposure is 5 micrograms.

The figure is a modelled national average weighted by population, combining satellite data with ground monitoring. Both natural dust and human sources, such as traffic and the burning of waste and wood, contribute.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 air pollution, Benin

How much of Benin is forest?

Forests covered 28.1% of Benin's land area in 2024, down from 28.5% in 2023, according to FAO data published by the World Bank.

The FAO defines forest as land of more than half a hectare with trees taller than five metres and canopy cover of more than 10%. The Ministry of Living Environment and Transport is responsible for forest policy.

Official sources: World Bank: Forest area, Benin

How much CO2 does Benin emit per person?

0.5 tonnes: that is carbon dioxide emissions per person in Benin for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.3 tonnes (2005) to 0.7 tonnes (2018). It is 21st highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 0.4 tonnes. Worldwide: 152nd of 186.

What are Benin's total greenhouse gas emissions?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 17.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 27th highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. World rank, highest first: 123rd of 186.

What share of Benin's energy comes from renewables?

The IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO puts the renewable share of final energy use in Benin at 54.5% in 2021. The peak was 59.2% in 2005 and the low 44.0% in 2018. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 71.1%; Benin is 32nd highest of 48. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 42nd highest.

How much of Benin is forest?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 28.1%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 22.2%; Benin is 19th highest of 48. Worldwide: 105th of 190.

What is air pollution like in Benin?

39.7 micrograms per cubic metre: that is average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Benin for 2023, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Since 2005 it has ranged from 32.1 micrograms per cubic metre (2014) to 46.1 micrograms per cubic metre (2015). It is 8th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre. Worldwide: 24th of 192.

How much of Benin is in national parks and reserves?

The UN Environment Programme puts the share of land in protected areas in Benin at 36.1% in 2025. No year since 2013 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 16.9%; Benin is 7th highest of 48. Worldwide: 22nd of 192.

Is Benin short of water?

According to the FAO, water stress in Benin was 1.0% in 2022. It has not changed since 2005. It is 38th highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 5.1%. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 161st highest.