Cuba: environment

How much CO2 does Cuba emit?

Cuba emitted 21.0 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use, according to the World Bank, which uses the EDGAR database. That was 1.9 tonnes per person.

EDGAR estimates emissions from energy use and industrial data. Cuba's national greenhouse gas inventory is prepared by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA) for the UN climate convention; its site did not respond to our check on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions (total), Cuba · World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Cuba

How much of Cuba's electricity is renewable?

Renewable sources produced 4.8% of Cuba's electricity in 2021, according to the World Bank, up from 4.2% in 2019.

The World Bank reports that 100% of Cubans had access to electricity in 2024. Access figures do not measure reliability; the national grid's generation shortfalls and outages are reported by the state utility, not in these series.

Official sources: World Bank: renewable electricity output, Cuba · World Bank: access to electricity, Cuba

What is the air quality like in Cuba?

The average annual exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Cuba was 9.4 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023, according to the World Bank. The WHO guideline for annual exposure is 5 micrograms.

The figure is a population-weighted modelled estimate combining satellite data and models, not a reading from a national monitoring network. Readings at individual locations can be higher or lower than this national average.

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

How much of Cuba is forest?

Forests covered 34.9% of Cuba's land area in 2024, according to FAO data published by the World Bank, a small rise from 34.8% in 2022.

The figures come from FAO's Global Forest Resources Assessment, based on national reporting. FAO revises past years when new national data arrive, so compare figures from the same release.

Official sources: World Bank: forest area (% of land area), Cuba

What are Cuba's CO2 emissions per person?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 1.9 tonnes. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 2.6 tonnes; its low point was 2020, at 1.7 tonnes. It is 20th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 2.3 tonnes. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 104th highest.

What are Cuba's total greenhouse gas emissions?

36.0 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent: that is total greenhouse gas emissions in Cuba for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. The peak was 46.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2015 and the low 34.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2020. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 19.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Cuba placed 14th highest of 33. Worldwide: 98th of 186.

How much renewable energy does Cuba use?

In 2021, the renewable share of final energy use in Cuba was 20.9%, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 26.3%; its low point was 2010, at 15.6%. It is 16th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 18.9%. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 104th highest.

How much of Cuba is forest?

In 2024, forest area as a share of land in Cuba was 34.9%, according to the FAO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 50.6%, and Cuba placed 23rd highest of 32. World rank, highest first: 86th of 190.

How polluted is the air in Cuba?

The Global Burden of Disease study puts average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Cuba at 9.4 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. The peak was 10.9 micrograms per cubic metre in 2005 and the low 9.1 micrograms per cubic metre in 2016. It is 30th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 15.7 micrograms per cubic metre. World rank, highest first: 158th of 192.

How much of Cuba's land is protected?

In 2025, the share of land in protected areas in Cuba was 15.6%, according to the UN Environment Programme. Since 2013 it has ranged from 12.4% (2013) to 16.6% (2016). It is 23rd highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 20.1%. World rank, highest first: 112th of 192.

What is water stress in Cuba?

23.9%: that is water stress in Cuba for 2022, according to the FAO. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 5th highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 7.7%. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 61st highest.