Ethiopia: environment

How much CO2 does Ethiopia emit?

Ethiopia emitted 19.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. That is about 0.15 tonnes per person, according to the World Bank per capita series, among the lowest in the world.

CO2 is a small part of Ethiopia's greenhouse gases. Total emissions excluding land use were 192.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024, of which methane, mostly from livestock and farming, was 131.6 million, according to the World Bank. Almost all electricity is renewable, which keeps CO2 low. Ethiopia's own inventory reported to the UN uses different methods and years.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions excluding LULUCF, Ethiopia · World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Ethiopia · World Bank: total greenhouse gas emissions, Ethiopia

How bad is air pollution in Ethiopia?

Average exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) in Ethiopia was 23.8 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 from satellite and model estimates, so it does not show peaks in Addis Ababa traffic or near industry. Much of the exposure in Ethiopia comes from indoor smoke: the Ethiopian Statistical Service 2024/25 Demographic and Health Survey finds only 11% of the household population uses clean stoves or fuels for cooking.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Ethiopia · ESS: EDHS 2024/25 summary report (PDF)

How much of Ethiopia's electricity is renewable?

Renewable sources produced 95.3% of Ethiopia's electricity in 2020, the latest year in the World Bank World Development Indicators. Renewables made up 90.6% of all final energy consumption in 2021, according to the World Bank.

Most electricity comes from hydropower. The high share of renewables in total energy reflects households burning wood and other biomass for cooking, which is renewable but polluting. Generation and expansion plans are set by the Ministry of Water and Energy.

Official sources: World Bank: renewable electricity output, Ethiopia · World Bank: renewable energy consumption, Ethiopia · Ministry of Water and Energy

How much of Ethiopia is covered by forest?

Forest covered 23.8% of Ethiopia's land area in 2024, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment data. The share has been almost unchanged since 2021.

Forest area is estimated by countries every few years for the FAO assessment and interpolated in between, so small year-to-year changes should not be read as real gains or losses. Tree planting shows up in these figures only as seedlings survive and grow. The Environment Protection Authority publishes national environmental policies and regulations.

Official sources: World Bank: forest area, Ethiopia · Environment Protection Authority

How many Ethiopians cook with clean fuels?

11% of Ethiopia's household population uses clean stoves or fuels such as electricity, liquefied petroleum gas or biogas for cooking, according to the Ethiopian Statistical Service EDHS 2024/25 summary report. Only 5% use clean fuels for cooking, heating and lighting together.

Most households cook with firewood, charcoal, crop residues or dung, which causes indoor smoke and puts pressure on forests. Electric mitads, used to bake injera, are much more common in towns, where grid electricity is more available. The survey finds 64% of the household population has electricity, so access alone does not mean households switch to electric cooking.

Official sources: ESS: EDHS 2024/25 summary report (PDF)

What are Ethiopia's CO2 emissions per person?

In 2024, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Ethiopia was 0.1 tonnes, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. The peak was 0.2 tonnes in 2019 and the low 0.1 tonnes in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 0.4 tonnes, and Ethiopia placed 40th highest of 47. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 175th highest.

How much greenhouse gas does Ethiopia emit?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 193 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Ethiopia placed 3rd highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 38th of 186.

How much renewable energy does Ethiopia use?

In 2021, the renewable share of final energy use in Ethiopia was 90.6%, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 94.7%; its low point was 2019, at 89.3%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 71.1%; Ethiopia is 7th highest of 48. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 7th highest.

What share of Ethiopia is covered by forest?

According to the FAO, forest area as a share of land in Ethiopia was 23.8% in 2024. The peak was 24.4% in 2005 and the low 23.8% in 2022. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 22.2%; Ethiopia is 23rd highest of 48. Worldwide: 113th of 190.

How polluted is the air in Ethiopia?

The Global Burden of Disease study puts average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Ethiopia at 23.8 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 21.8 micrograms per cubic metre (2014) to 25.2 micrograms per cubic metre (2011). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre; Ethiopia is 27th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 63rd of 192.

How much of Ethiopia is in national parks and reserves?

In 2025, the share of land in protected areas in Ethiopia was 17.0%, according to the UN Environment Programme. Its high point since 2013 was 2013, at 18.5%; its low point was 2020, at 16.1%. It is 24th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 16.9%. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 101st highest.

What is water stress in Ethiopia?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2022, is 32.3%. The peak was 32.3% in 2016 and the low 24.0% in 2005. It is 7th highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 5.1%. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 51st highest.