Dominican Republic: environment

What are the greenhouse gas emissions of the Dominican Republic?

The Dominican Republic emitted 51.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank. The figure for 2023 was 49.8 million tonnes.

The World Bank takes the figures from the EDGAR database of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, which estimates emissions from energy, industry, agriculture and waste. The country's own inventories are reported to the UN climate convention by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

Official sources: World Bank: total greenhouse gas emissions, Dominican Republic

How much of the Dominican Republic is covered by forest?

Forest covered 46.7% of the Dominican Republic's land area in 2024, according to FAO data published by the World Bank, compared with 46.6% in 2023.

FAO's Forest Resources Assessment defines forest as land of more than half a hectare with trees over five metres tall and canopy cover above 10%. The figures are reported by the country and modelled between assessments. Forests and protected areas are managed by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

Official sources: World Bank: forest area, Dominican Republic

What is the air quality like in the Dominican Republic?

People in the Dominican Republic were exposed to an average of 13.5 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic metre in 2023, according to the World Bank. The figure for 2022 was 12.8.

The estimate combines satellite data, ground monitors and models, weighted by where people live, and includes natural sources such as dust. The WHO guideline for annual PM2.5 is 5 micrograms per cubic metre. Air quality is the responsibility of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 air pollution, Dominican Republic

How much of the Dominican Republic's energy is renewable?

Renewable sources supplied 14.8% of the Dominican Republic's total final energy consumption in 2021, according to the World Bank, down from 16.0% in 2020.

The indicator comes from the Sustainable Development Goal 7 tracking data compiled by the International Energy Agency and the UN. It covers renewable electricity, such as hydro, wind and solar, and direct use of biomass and other renewable heat. The Ministry of Energy and Mines publishes energy sector statistics.

Official sources: World Bank: renewable energy consumption, Dominican Republic

What share of Dominicans have access to clean drinking water?

97.5% of people in the Dominican Republic used at least a basic drinking water service in 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF data published by the World Bank, about the same as in 2023.

A basic service means water from an improved source, such as a piped supply, protected well or bottled water, with a round trip of 30 minutes or less to collect it. It does not test water quality or continuity of supply. The 2027 budget bill allocates RD$38,258.6 million to housing and community services, 75.9% of it for drinking water supply, according to DIGEPRES.

Official sources: World Bank: basic drinking water services, Dominican Republic · DIGEPRES: 2027 budget bill

What are the Dominican Republic's CO2 emissions per person?

In 2024, carbon dioxide emissions per person in the Dominican Republic was 3.0 tonnes, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.3 tonnes, and the Dominican Republic placed 10th highest of 33. Worldwide: 83rd of 186.

What are the Dominican Republic's emissions?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in the Dominican Republic was 51.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 10th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 19.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 77th highest.

How much of the Dominican Republic's energy is renewable?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2021, is 14.8%. The peak was 19.4% in 2005 and the low 14.4% in 2019. It is 18th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 18.9%. Worldwide: 123rd of 191.

What share of the Dominican Republic is covered by forest?

In 2024, forest area as a share of land in the Dominican Republic was 46.7%, according to the FAO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 50.6%, and the Dominican Republic placed 19th highest of 32. World rank, highest first: 57th of 190.

How polluted is the air in the Dominican Republic?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in the Dominican Republic was 13.5 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Since 2005 it has ranged from 11.9 micrograms per cubic metre (2012) to 14.1 micrograms per cubic metre (2005). Latin America & Caribbean median: 15.7 micrograms per cubic metre; the Dominican Republic is 22nd highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 131st of 192.

How much of the Dominican Republic's land is protected?

In 2025, the share of land in protected areas in the Dominican Republic was 26.3%, according to the UN Environment Programme. The peak was 26.4% in 2022 and the low 22.3% in 2013. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 20.1%, and the Dominican Republic placed 9th highest of 33. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 50th highest.

What is water stress in the Dominican Republic?

The FAO puts water stress in the Dominican Republic at 39.6% in 2022. No year since 2005 has been higher. Latin America & Caribbean median: 7.7%; the Dominican Republic is 4th highest of 32. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 44th highest.