Republic of the Congo: environment

What are the Republic of the Congo's CO2 emissions?

The Republic of the Congo emitted 8.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank. Emissions were 7.9 million tonnes in 2023.

The figure leaves out emissions and removals from land use, land-use change and forestry, which matter greatly in a heavily forested country. No national emissions figure was found on the sites of the National Institute of Statistics, checked on 15 October 2026; the environment ministry site could not be reached.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions excluding LULUCF, Congo

How much of the Republic of the Congo is forest?

Forest covered 64.0% of the Republic of the Congo's land area in 2024, according to the World Bank, using FAO data. The share was 63.9% in 2023.

The figure comes from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's forest resources assessment. The Congo is part of the Congo Basin forest. According to the National Institute of Statistics, logs and sawn wood are among the country's main exports after oil.

Official sources: World Bank: forest area, Congo · INS: foreign trade bulletin, 2025 (PDF)

How many people have electricity in the Republic of the Congo?

53% of people in the Republic of the Congo had access to electricity in 2024, according to the World Bank. The share was 51.3% in 2023.

The national household survey shows a wide rural gap: the National Institute of Statistics found that 7.6% of poor rural households had electricity in 2022, against 62.3% of non-poor households nationally.

Official sources: World Bank: access to electricity, Congo · INS: EHCVM 2022 poverty report (PDF)

How polluted is the air in the Republic of the Congo?

People in the Republic of the Congo were exposed to an average of 36.5 micrograms of fine particles (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to the World Bank. The figure was 37.6 in 2022.

PM2.5 are particles small enough to reach deep into the lungs. The figure is a modelled estimate of population-weighted exposure, combining satellite data and models, because ground monitoring is limited. No national air quality figures were found, checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Congo

What are the Republic of the Congo's CO2 emissions per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in the Republic of the Congo at 1.3 tonnes in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.9 tonnes (2012) to 1.4 tonnes (2022). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 0.4 tonnes; the Republic of the Congo is 7th highest of 47. Worldwide: 118th of 186.

What are the Republic of the Congo's emissions?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, total greenhouse gas emissions in the Republic of the Congo was 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. The peak was 26.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2019 and the low 18.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2008. It is 24th highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. World rank, highest first: 112th of 186.

What share of the Republic of the Congo's energy comes from renewables?

According to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, the renewable share of final energy use in the Republic of the Congo was 71.4% in 2021. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 71.1%; the Republic of the Congo is 21st highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 25th of 191.

What is the Republic of the Congo's forest cover?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 64.0%. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 64.6%; its low point was 2020, at 63.8%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 22.2%; the Republic of the Congo is 6th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 23rd of 190.

How polluted is the air in the Republic of the Congo?

36.5 micrograms per cubic metre: that is average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in the Republic of the Congo for 2023, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Since 2005 it has ranged from 32.2 micrograms per cubic metre (2007) to 40.1 micrograms per cubic metre (2013). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre, and the Republic of the Congo placed 12th highest of 48. Worldwide: 29th of 192.

How much of the Republic of the Congo is in national parks and reserves?

In 2025, the share of land in protected areas in the Republic of the Congo was 36.6%, according to the UN Environment Programme. Its high point since 2013 was 2018, at 40.7%; its low point was 2013, at 36.4%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 16.9%, and the Republic of the Congo placed 6th highest of 48. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 21st highest.

What is water stress in the Republic of the Congo?

In 2022, water stress in the Republic of the Congo was 0.0%, according to the FAO. It has not changed since 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 5.1%; the Republic of the Congo is 47th highest of 47. Worldwide: 175th of 175.