Botswana: environment

What are Botswana's CO2 emissions?

Botswana emitted 6.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, or 2.74 tonnes per person, according to the World Bank.

The figures exclude land use, land-use change and forestry, and come from the EDGAR database. Only 0.25% of electricity came from renewable sources in 2021, according to the World Bank. Botswana's own greenhouse gas inventory is reported to the UN climate convention.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions, Botswana · World Bank: Renewable electricity output, Botswana

How many people in Botswana have electricity?

80.2% of Botswana's population had access to electricity in 2024, according to the World Bank, up from 73.7% in 2021.

Access counts households with a grid connection or an off-grid source such as solar. It does not measure reliability. Statistics Botswana publishes a quarterly electricity generation and distribution brief, and its index of electricity generation stood at 236.6 in the second quarter of 2026, according to its key indicators. The index measures local generation.

Official sources: World Bank: Access to electricity, Botswana · Statistics Botswana: key indicators

What are Botswana's CO2 emissions per person?

2.7 tonnes: that is carbon dioxide emissions per person in Botswana for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 3.6 tonnes; its low point was 2010, at 1.7 tonnes. It is 4th highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 0.4 tonnes. Worldwide: 88th of 186.

How much greenhouse gas does Botswana emit?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in Botswana was 12.1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 13.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; its low point was 2012, at 9.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Botswana placed 31st highest of 47. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 132nd highest.

How much renewable energy does Botswana use?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2021, is 27.4%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 25.6% (2018) to 33.0% (2005). It is 42nd highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 71.1%. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 87th highest.

What is Botswana's forest cover?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 27.8%. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 22.2%, and Botswana placed 20th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 106th of 190.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Botswana?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Botswana was 13.2 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. The peak was 20.1 micrograms per cubic metre in 2010 and the low 12.7 micrograms per cubic metre in 2014. It is 45th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 133rd highest.

How much of Botswana is in national parks and reserves?

The UN Environment Programme puts the share of land in protected areas in Botswana at 27.6% in 2025. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2013. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 16.9%, and Botswana placed 13th highest of 48. Worldwide: 45th of 192.

How much of Botswana's fresh water is used?

In 2022, water stress in Botswana was 2.2%, according to the FAO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.0% (2014) to 2.4% (2021). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 5.1%, and Botswana placed 30th highest of 47. Worldwide: 142nd of 175.