Honduras: environment

How much CO2 does Honduras emit?

Honduras emitted 12.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use, according to the World Bank, which uses the EDGAR database. That was 1.14 tonnes per person.

Land-use change, especially deforestation, is a further large source not included in this figure. The national greenhouse gas inventory is reported to the UN climate convention by the environment ministry.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions (total), Honduras · World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Honduras

How much of Honduras is covered by forest?

Forests covered 52.8% of Honduras's land area in 2024, according to FAO data published by the World Bank, down from 53.7% in 2022.

The figures come from FAO's Global Forest Resources Assessment, which uses national reports and remote sensing. Small annual changes add up: a fall of 0.45 percentage points a year is roughly 50,000 hectares.

Official sources: World Bank: forest area (% of land area), Honduras

How much of Honduras's electricity is renewable?

Renewable sources produced 64.9% of Honduras's electricity in 2021, according to the World Bank, up from 57.8% in 2020.

Renewables include hydropower, solar, wind, geothermal and biomass from sugar mills. The share falls in dry years, when hydropower output drops and thermal plants burn more imported fuel; the CREE tariff report for the fourth quarter of 2026 cites lower hydropower and greater thermal generation as reasons for higher costs.

Official sources: World Bank: renewable electricity output, Honduras · CREE: Informe de 4to ajuste tarifario 2026

How polluted is the air in Honduras?

The average annual exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Honduras was 30.7 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023, according to the World Bank. The WHO guideline for annual exposure is 5 micrograms.

The figure is a population-weighted modelled estimate, not a reading from a single monitor. Annual averages hide seasonal peaks, so short-term readings can be much higher or lower than the yearly figure.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Honduras

What are Honduras' CO2 emissions per person?

1.1 tonnes: that is carbon dioxide emissions per person in Honduras for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.9 tonnes (2020) to 1.2 tonnes (2015). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.3 tonnes, and Honduras placed 29th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 125th of 186.

What are Honduras' total greenhouse gas emissions?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts total greenhouse gas emissions in Honduras at 24.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 19.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Honduras placed 16th highest of 33. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 113th highest.

How much renewable energy does Honduras use?

45.9%: that is the renewable share of final energy use in Honduras for 2021, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. The peak was 53.6% in 2010 and the low 45.6% in 2017. Latin America & Caribbean median: 18.9%; Honduras is 7th highest of 33. Worldwide: 54th of 191.

What is Honduras' forest cover?

52.8%: that is forest area as a share of land in Honduras for 2024, according to the FAO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 13th highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 50.6%. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 45th highest.

What is air pollution like in Honduras?

The latest figure from the Global Burden of Disease study, for 2023, is 30.7 micrograms per cubic metre. The peak was 36.5 micrograms per cubic metre in 2020 and the low 27.8 micrograms per cubic metre in 2016. It is 2nd highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 15.7 micrograms per cubic metre. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 48th highest.

How much of Honduras is in national parks and reserves?

According to the UN Environment Programme, the share of land in protected areas in Honduras was 23.0% in 2025. The peak was 28.4% in 2016 and the low 21.2% in 2013. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 20.1%, and Honduras placed 11th highest of 33. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 58th highest.

What is water stress in Honduras?

According to the FAO, water stress in Honduras was 4.6% in 2022. The figure has been the same every year since 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 7.7%; Honduras is 23rd highest of 32. Worldwide: 124th of 175.