Eswatini: environment

What are the CO2 emissions of Eswatini?

Eswatini emitted 0.88 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person in 2024, excluding land use, according to the World Bank. The figure has changed little since 2023, when it was also 0.88 tonnes.

Renewable sources, including biomass, supplied 64.7% of final energy consumption in 2022, according to the World Bank. The Eswatini Environment Authority works on climate change and environmental assessment.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Eswatini · World Bank: Renewable energy consumption, Eswatini

How bad is air pollution in Eswatini?

People in Eswatini were exposed to an average of 16.7 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, down from 18.4 in 2022, according to the World Bank, which uses modelled estimates.

PM2.5 particles are small enough to reach deep into the lungs. The figure is a modelled national average and does not show differences between towns and rural areas or from day to day.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 air pollution, Eswatini

How much forest does Eswatini have?

Forest covered 25.3% of land in Eswatini in 2024, down from 28.2% in 1990 and 26.5% in 2010, according to FAO data published by the World Bank.

The figures come from the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment, which relies on national reporting and remote sensing. Forest area includes planted forests as well as natural forest; FAO counts land of more than 0.5 hectares with trees over 5 metres tall and more than 10% canopy cover.

Official sources: World Bank: forest area, Eswatini · Central Bank of Eswatini: Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26 (PDF)

Is Eswatini at risk of drought?

The Central Bank of Eswatini names the potential effects of an expected El Niño drought as a risk to inflation in its Monetary Policy Statement of 25 September 2026. In its Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26, it reports that treated water sales fell 10.7% in 2025 to 3.42 million kilolitres.

El Niño years often bring below-normal rainfall to southern Africa. Sugarcane production rose 3.6% in 2025, according to the same report. Sales of treated water to commercial customers fell 16.6%.

Official sources: Central Bank of Eswatini: Monetary Policy Statement, 25 September 2026 (PDF) · Central Bank of Eswatini: Annual Economic Review Report 2025/26 (PDF)

What is Eswatini's carbon footprint per person?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 0.9 tonnes. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.7 tonnes (2012) to 1.0 tonnes (2019). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 0.4 tonnes; Eswatini is 11th highest of 47. Worldwide: 132nd of 186.

How much greenhouse gas does Eswatini emit?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts total greenhouse gas emissions in Eswatini at 2.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2007, at 3.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; its low point was 2011, at 2.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Eswatini is 42nd highest of 47. Worldwide: 156th of 186.

How much renewable energy does Eswatini use?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2022, is 64.7%. The peak was 69.3% in 2011 and the low 63.7% in 2020. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 70.0%; Eswatini is 14th highest of 23. Of 53 countries with 2022 data, 15th highest.

How much of Eswatini is forest?

In 2024, forest area as a share of land in Eswatini was 25.3%, according to the FAO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 22nd highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 22.2%. Worldwide: 108th of 190.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Eswatini?

16.7 micrograms per cubic metre: that is average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Eswatini for 2023, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. The peak was 20.9 micrograms per cubic metre in 2010 and the low 15.3 micrograms per cubic metre in 2016. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre, and Eswatini placed 38th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 102nd of 192.

How much of Eswatini's land is protected?

In 2025, the share of land in protected areas in Eswatini was 4.2%, according to the UN Environment Programme. Its high point since 2013 was 2019, at 4.3%; its low point was 2013, at 3.0%. It is 43rd highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 16.9%. Worldwide: 170th of 192.

How much of Eswatini's fresh water is used?

In 2022, water stress in Eswatini was 77.6%, according to the FAO. The figure has been the same every year since 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 5.1%, and Eswatini placed 2nd highest of 47. Worldwide: 22nd of 175.