Ecuador: environment

How much of Ecuador's energy is renewable?

Renewable sources supplied 9.34% of Ecuador's energy in 2023, according to the INEC's energy flow accounts, compared with 9.06% in 2022 and 9.57% in 2021. The share covers all energy, not only electricity, so oil products used in transport and industry weigh heavily.

Ecuador extracted 207,421.0 thousand barrels of oil equivalent of energy in 2023 and imported 61,437.1 thousand, according to the same accounts, and its imported energy intensity ratio rose to 0.53 from 0.49. The 2023 figures are provisional. Electricity statistics are published by the energy regulator and the national grid operator, whose sites could not be reached on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: energy flow accounts

Is tap water in Ecuador treated?

91.4% of Ecuador's municipalities had one or more drinking water treatment plants in 2024, and 95.5% of those met the national drinking water quality standard (INEN 1108), according to the INEC's municipal water and sanitation bulletin. Only 24% of the water distributed nationally went through treatment plants.

The figures describe municipal systems, not what reaches each tap. A household survey measure, from 2019, found that 67.8% of people had safe drinking water and 73.4% had water free of E. coli, according to the INEC's water, sanitation and hygiene indicators. Urban water supply runs between one and five more hours a day than in rural areas.

Official sources: municipal water and sanitation bulletin · water, sanitation and hygiene indicators

How much rubbish does Ecuador produce?

Each person in Ecuador's urban areas produced on average 0.9 kg of solid waste a day in 2024, according to the INEC's municipal solid waste bulletin. Municipalities collected an average of 14,193.5 tonnes a day, 77.1% of it unsorted and 22.9% separated.

59.7% of municipalities sent their waste to sanitary landfills, 24.4% to emergency cells and 15.8% to open dumps. 27.1% of municipalities ran or had started separation at source. Guayas had the highest waste per person, 1.24 kg a day, and Zamora Chinchipe the lowest, 0.54 kg. The data come from municipal administrative records collected with the Association of Ecuadorian Municipalities.

Official sources: municipal solid waste bulletin

What are Ecuador's CO2 emissions per person?

In 2024, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Ecuador was 2.6 tonnes, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.1 tonnes (2005) to 2.7 tonnes (2014). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.3 tonnes, and Ecuador placed 14th highest of 33. Worldwide: 89th of 186.

What are Ecuador's emissions?

74.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent: that is total greenhouse gas emissions in Ecuador for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 19.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Ecuador placed 8th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 63rd of 186.

How much of Ecuador's energy is renewable?

In 2021, the renewable share of final energy use in Ecuador was 18.9%, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 11.8% (2010) to 20.2% (2020). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 18.9%, and Ecuador placed 17th highest of 33. Worldwide: 112th of 191.

What is Ecuador's forest cover?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 49.7%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 50.6%; Ecuador is 18th highest of 32. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 53rd highest.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Ecuador?

The latest figure from the Global Burden of Disease study, for 2023, is 18.6 micrograms per cubic metre. The peak was 37.6 micrograms per cubic metre in 2005 and the low 17.8 micrograms per cubic metre in 2014. Latin America & Caribbean median: 15.7 micrograms per cubic metre; Ecuador is 10th highest of 33. Worldwide: 93rd of 192.

How much of Ecuador's land is protected?

23.8%: that is the share of land in protected areas in Ecuador for 2025, according to the UN Environment Programme. The peak was 25.7% in 2014 and the low 20.0% in 2015. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 20.1%, and Ecuador placed 10th highest of 33. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 53rd highest.

How much of Ecuador's fresh water is used?

In 2022, water stress in Ecuador was 6.8%, according to the FAO. It has not changed since 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 7.7%; Ecuador is 19th highest of 32. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 106th highest.