Guyana: environment

What are Guyana's CO2 emissions per capita?

Guyana emitted 4.56 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to World Bank data updated on 8 October 2026. Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding land use were 8.73 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the same source.

These figures leave out forests, which absorb carbon; the government describes Guyana as a net carbon sink in its Budget Speech 2026. They also count emissions from fuel burned in Guyana, not from oil exported and burned elsewhere.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 per capita, Guyana · World Bank: total GHG emissions, Guyana

How much has Guyana earned from carbon credits?

Guyana's revenue from forest carbon credits passed US$300 million by the end of 2025, according to the Budget Speech 2026 from the Ministry of Finance. The government targets cumulative revenue of more than US$1 billion by 2030.

The credits are jurisdictional credits for the whole country's forests, sold under the Low Carbon Development Strategy. The budget says a 2025 sale to an international company was one of the first voluntary-market purchases of such credits. Revenue counts toward government income alongside oil revenue and is used for climate adaptation and community projects.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Budget Speech 2026 (PDF) · Low Carbon Development Strategy

How much electricity does Guyana generate?

Guyana generated 1,355.4 thousand megawatt-hours of electricity in 2025, slightly less than 1,384.9 thousand in 2024, according to the indicator table in the Budget Speech 2026. The budget says Phase I of the Gas-to-Energy project at Wales, targeted to generate 300 megawatts and slated to start by the end of 2026, will double electricity production.

The Gas-to-Energy plant will run on natural gas. The budget also lists solar panels and mini-grids for hinterland communities. G$10.7 billion is budgeted for the Gas-to-Energy project in 2026.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Budget Speech 2026 (PDF)

How much CO2 does Guyana emit per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in Guyana at 4.6 tonnes in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 2nd highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 2.3 tonnes. World rank, highest first: 51st of 186.

How much greenhouse gas does Guyana emit?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts total greenhouse gas emissions in Guyana at 8.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 23rd highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 19.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. World rank, highest first: 142nd of 186.

What share of Guyana's energy comes from renewables?

12.1%: that is the renewable share of final energy use in Guyana for 2022, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 36.8%; its low point was 2019, at 11.3%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 7.2%, and Guyana placed 2nd highest of 10. World rank, highest first: 36th of 53.

How much of Guyana is forest?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 87.1%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 50.6%; Guyana is 2nd highest of 32. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 6th highest.

How polluted is the air in Guyana?

16.9 micrograms per cubic metre: that is average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Guyana for 2023, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Since 2005 it has ranged from 15.9 micrograms per cubic metre (2018) to 24.4 micrograms per cubic metre (2005). It is 13th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 15.7 micrograms per cubic metre. Worldwide: 100th of 192.

What share of Guyana is protected land?

8.4%: that is the share of land in protected areas in Guyana for 2025, according to the UN Environment Programme. That is the lowest since at least 2013. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 20.1%, and Guyana placed 30th highest of 33. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 151st highest.

What is water stress in Guyana?

In 2022, water stress in Guyana was 3.3%, according to the FAO. No year since 2005 has been lower. Latin America & Caribbean median: 7.7%; Guyana is 26th highest of 32. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 138th highest.