Cabo Verde: environment

How much of Cabo Verde's electricity is renewable?

Renewable sources produced 18.3% of Cabo Verde's electricity in 2023, 104.8 GWh out of 572.3 GWh, according to the Statistical Yearbook 2023 of the National Statistics Institute (INE), using data from the national energy directorate. The rest, 467.5 GWh, came from thermal plants burning imported fuel.

The share varies by island: 29.3% on São Vicente and 22.3% on Sal, against 0.9% on Brava. The yearbook also reports that 94.3% of the population had electricity in 2023.

Official sources: INE: Statistical Yearbook of Cabo Verde 2023 (PDF, Portuguese)

How are households in Cabo Verde affected by climate events?

17.1% of households in Cabo Verde were affected by dry haze (bruma seca, dust from the Sahara) and 12.2% by drought in the 12 months before the 2024 survey, according to the environment and climate change report from the National Statistics Institute (INE), based on the IMC 2024 survey. 2.6% were affected by heatwaves and 1.4% by flooding from rain.

Among households hit by dry haze, 88.3% said it affected members' health. Of those hit by drought, 52.4% reported damage to goods and equipment, and 24.4% spent savings to cope. The figures are what households report, not measurements of weather.

Official sources: INE: Environment and climate change, IMC 2024 (PDF, Portuguese)

How much CO2 does Cabo Verde emit per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in Cabo Verde at 1.3 tonnes in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2017, at 1.7 tonnes; its low point was 2020, at 1.2 tonnes. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 0.4 tonnes; Cabo Verde is 8th highest of 47. Worldwide: 120th of 186.

What are Cabo Verde's total greenhouse gas emissions?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in Cabo Verde was 0.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. The peak was 1.1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2017 and the low 0.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Cabo Verde is 46th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 169th of 186.

How much of Cabo Verde's energy is renewable?

21.8%: that is the renewable share of final energy use in Cabo Verde for 2022, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. The peak was 26.4% in 2015 and the low 19.7% in 2019. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 70.0%, and Cabo Verde placed 20th highest of 23. World rank, highest first: 31st of 53.

What share of Cabo Verde is covered by forest?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 12.5%. That is the highest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 22.2%; Cabo Verde is 33rd highest of 48. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 140th highest.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Cabo Verde?

The latest figure from the Global Burden of Disease study, for 2023, is 20.2 micrograms per cubic metre. The peak was 25.5 micrograms per cubic metre in 2015 and the low 15.4 micrograms per cubic metre in 2009. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre; Cabo Verde is 33rd highest of 48. Worldwide: 81st of 192.

How much of Cabo Verde's land is protected?

17.6%: that is the share of land in protected areas in Cabo Verde for 2025, according to the UN Environment Programme. That is the highest since at least 2013. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 16.9%; Cabo Verde is 23rd highest of 48. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 97th highest.

What is water stress in Cabo Verde?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2022, is 59.7%. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 68.9%; its low point was 2005, at 13.6%. It is 4th highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 5.1%. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 28th highest.