Democratic Republic of the Congo: environment

How much of the DR Congo is covered by forest?

Forest covered 61.5% of the DR Congo's land area in 2024, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use FAO data. Forest area was 1,391,890.5 square kilometres in 2025, down from 1,400,377.3 in 2022, according to the World Bank.

That is a loss of about 2,800 square kilometres a year. The DR Congo's forests are part of the Congo Basin rainforest. FAO estimates are updated every few years and interpolated in between, so year-to-year changes should be read with care.

Official sources: World Bank: forest area share, DR Congo · World Bank: forest area, DR Congo

How much CO2 does the DR Congo emit?

The DR Congo emitted 6.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. That is about 0.06 tonnes per person, according to the World Bank per capita series, among the lowest in the world.

The figures leave out emissions from deforestation and land-use change, which are much larger in the DR Congo than emissions from fuel. The country's own inventory, reported to the UN climate convention, includes them.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions excluding LULUCF, DR Congo · World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, DR Congo

How bad is air pollution in the DR Congo?

Average exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) in the DR Congo was 35.8 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. The World Health Organization guideline is 5.

The figure is a population-weighted national average estimated from satellite and model data, as ground monitoring is limited. Only 5% of people used clean cooking fuels and technologies in 2024, according to the World Bank, so most households burn other fuels indoors.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, DR Congo · World Bank: access to clean cooking, DR Congo

How much of the DR Congo's energy is renewable?

Renewable sources supplied 96.3% of the DR Congo's final energy consumption in 2021, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. Renewables produced 90.4% of its electricity that year, according to the World Bank.

Renewable energy in these series includes hydropower and traditional biomass such as wood used for cooking. Only 22.5% of people had electricity in 2024, so total energy use per person is low. The World Bank series lags several years.

Official sources: World Bank: renewable energy consumption, DR Congo · World Bank: renewable electricity output, DR Congo

What is the Democratic Republic of the Congo's carbon footprint per person?

In 2024, carbon dioxide emissions per person in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 0.1 tonnes, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.0 tonnes (2016) to 0.1 tonnes (2022). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 0.4 tonnes, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo placed 46th highest of 47. Worldwide: 181st of 186.

How much greenhouse gas does the Democratic Republic of the Congo emit?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 58.5 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 9th highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 71st highest.

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

The IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO puts the renewable share of final energy use in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 96.3% in 2021. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 97.4%; its low point was 2014, at 92.9%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 71.1%; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 1st highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 1st of 191.

What share of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is covered by forest?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 61.5%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 22.2%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo placed 7th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 27th of 190.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

The Global Burden of Disease study puts average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 35.8 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 32.7 micrograms per cubic metre (2017) to 41.4 micrograms per cubic metre (2013). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 14th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 31st of 192.

How much of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's land is protected?

The UN Environment Programme puts the share of land in protected areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 14.9% in 2025. No year since 2013 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 16.9%; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 29th highest of 48. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 118th highest.

Is the Democratic Republic of the Congo short of water?

The FAO puts water stress in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 0.2% in 2022. The figure has been the same every year since 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 5.1%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo placed 45th highest of 47. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 171st highest.