Croatia: environment

What are Croatia's greenhouse gas emissions?

Croatia emitted 25.28 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the Eurostat greenhouse gas inventory. Including the net removals by forests and land, emissions were 20.87 million tonnes. Energy, including transport, accounted for 17.60 million tonnes.

The figures come from the national inventory Croatia reports to the EU and the UN. DZS also publishes air emission accounts, which allocate emissions to industries and households; it reports that total greenhouse gas emissions fell in 2024 compared with 2023.

Official sources: Eurostat: Greenhouse gas emissions by source sector · DZS: Air Emission Accounts, 2024

How much of Croatia's energy is renewable?

Renewable sources supplied 26.5% of Croatia's gross final energy consumption in 2024, according to Eurostat's renewable energy share. The share was 28.1% in 2023, and the provisional figure for 2025 is 28.5%.

The share is calculated under the EU Renewable Energy Directive and covers electricity, heating and cooling, and transport. Gross final consumption is the energy delivered to users, plus network losses and the energy industry's own use. Eurostat revises provisional figures when final energy balances are available.

Official sources: Eurostat: Renewable energy share

How much water does Croatia use?

330,474 thousand cubic metres of water were distributed through Croatia's public water supply in 2025, 1.2% more than in 2024, according to the DZS release on collection, purification and distribution of water. Households used 56.2% of it. Losses in the public network were 232,307 thousand cubic metres, 6.8% more than a year earlier.

In total 567,681 thousand cubic metres were abstracted, mostly from groundwater. Waste water is covered in the DZS public sewage system release.

Official sources: DZS: Collection, Purification and Distribution of Water, 2025 · DZS: Public Sewage System, 2025

How much electricity does Croatia use?

1,779 GWh of electricity was available for Croatia's inland market in July 2026, 2.2% more than in July 2025, according to the DZS short-term energy indicators. Natural gas available for consumption was 4,249 TJ, 29.6% less than a year earlier, and petroleum products 424 thousand tonnes.

Electricity available for consumption includes network losses. The monthly figures show short-term changes; annual energy balances, including the mix of sources, are published by Eurostat.

Official sources: DZS: Short-Term Indicators of Energy Statistics, July 2026

What is Croatia's carbon footprint per person?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Croatia was 4.8 tonnes in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 4.2 tonnes (2014) to 5.7 tonnes (2007). Europe & Central Asia median: 5.1 tonnes; Croatia is 25th highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 50th of 186.

What are Croatia's emissions?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 26.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. The peak was 31.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2007 and the low 24.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2014. It is 32nd highest of 46 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 53.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. World rank, highest first: 111th of 186.

How much renewable energy does Croatia use?

According to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, the renewable share of final energy use in Croatia was 34.1% in 2021. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 20.4%, and Croatia placed 14th highest of 50. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 72nd highest.

What is Croatia's forest cover?

The FAO puts forest area as a share of land in Croatia at 34.8% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 33.2%, and Croatia placed 23rd highest of 51. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 87th highest.

How polluted is the air in Croatia?

15.8 micrograms per cubic metre: that is average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Croatia for 2023, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 26.6 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2020, at 15.5 micrograms per cubic metre. It is 18th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre. World rank, highest first: 111th of 192.

How much of Croatia is in national parks and reserves?

According to the UN Environment Programme, the share of land in protected areas in Croatia was 38.4% in 2025. Its high point since 2013 was 2022, at 38.5%; its low point was 2013, at 13.8%. Europe & Central Asia median: 22.1%; Croatia is 9th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 18th of 192.

Is Croatia short of water?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2022, is 1.5%. The peak was 1.5% in 2009 and the low 1.3% in 2014. It is 45th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 12.6%. World rank, highest first: 153rd of 175.