Indonesia: environment

How is El Niño affecting Indonesia in 2026?

BMKG said on 22 September 2026 that a very strong El Niño was under way, with a sea surface temperature anomaly of +2.83°C in the Niño3.4 region at the end of August, according to its rainy season forecast release. It expects the 2026/2027 rainy season to start late in 61.08% of the country.

Most areas are expected to start the rainy season in November or December 2026. BMKG says El Niño together with a positive Indian Ocean Dipole reduces rainfall and lengthens the dry season. El Niño tends to raise drought and fire risks in Indonesia.

Official sources: BMKG: 2026/2027 rainy season forecast

Are there forest fires in Indonesia in 2026?

Fires were burning in Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan in October 2026, according to a Ministry of Forestry press release of 14 October 2026. The minister said the fire front at one priority site stretched about two kilometres.

The ministry planned around 30 bore wells and 160 personnel to stop the fire reaching the park's core zone, and identified four priority sites using thermal drones. Tanjung Puting is a habitat of orangutans. Many fires in Indonesia burn in peatland, which is hard to extinguish once dry.

Official sources: Ministry of Forestry: Tanjung Puting fire response

How much greenhouse gas does Indonesia emit?

Indonesia emitted 1,323.8 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank's greenhouse gas emissions indicator. That was up from 1,261.3 million tonnes in 2023.

The figures are in carbon dioxide equivalent. Excluding land use leaves out emissions from deforestation and peat fires, which can be large in Indonesia, especially in fire years. Indonesia reports its own national inventory, including land use, to the UN climate convention.

Official sources: World Bank: total greenhouse gas emissions, Indonesia

How much of Indonesia is forest?

Forests covered 50.7% of Indonesia's land area in 2024, according to the World Bank's forest area indicator, compared with 50.6% in 2022.

The data come from the FAO's Global Forest Resources Assessment, which counts land of more than half a hectare with trees above 5 metres and canopy cover above 10%. Plantation forests count as forest in this definition, but oil palm plantations do not. National deforestation figures are published by the Ministry of Forestry.

Official sources: World Bank: forest area, Indonesia

How polluted is Indonesia's air?

Indonesians were exposed to an average of 20.8 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic metre in 2023, according to the World Bank's PM2.5 exposure indicator, up from 19.8 in 2022.

The WHO guideline for annual exposure is 5 micrograms. The figure is a population-weighted national estimate, so levels in individual cities and during fire episodes can be higher or lower. Air quality monitoring is run by the Ministry of Environment.

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

How much of Indonesia's energy is renewable?

Renewable sources supplied 20.2% of Indonesia's final energy consumption in 2021, according to the World Bank's renewable energy indicator. The share was 21.9% in 2020 and 19.8% in 2019.

The measure includes hydropower, geothermal, solar, wind and bioenergy, including traditional biomass such as firewood used for cooking. It covers all energy use, not only electricity. The latest value in the series is for 2021, so it does not show more recent changes.

Official sources: World Bank: renewable energy consumption, Indonesia

What are Indonesia's CO2 emissions per person?

2.9 tonnes: that is carbon dioxide emissions per person in Indonesia for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 14th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.1 tonnes. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 85th highest.

What are Indonesia's emissions?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in Indonesia was 1,324 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 45.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Indonesia placed 2nd highest of 30. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 5th highest.

How much renewable energy does Indonesia use?

In 2021, the renewable share of final energy use in Indonesia was 20.2%, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 19.8% (2019) to 41.6% (2005). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 14.9%, and Indonesia placed 13th highest of 30. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 107th highest.

How much of Indonesia is forest?

In 2024, forest area as a share of land in Indonesia was 50.7%, according to the FAO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 50.1% (2005) to 51.3% (2010). It is 16th highest of 29 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 53.6%. Worldwide: 51st of 190.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Indonesia?

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Indonesia was 20.8 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 17.8 micrograms per cubic metre (2017) to 25.6 micrograms per cubic metre (2015). It is 10th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 11.7 micrograms per cubic metre. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 76th highest.

How much of Indonesia is in national parks and reserves?

In 2025, the share of land in protected areas in Indonesia was 12.0%, according to the UN Environment Programme. Since 2013 it has ranged from 11.8% (2014) to 14.8% (2013). It is 19th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 15.8%. World rank, highest first: 137th of 192.

Is Indonesia short of water?

29.7%: that is water stress in Indonesia for 2022, according to the FAO. No year since 2005 has been higher. East Asia & Pacific median: 13.1%; Indonesia is 5th highest of 20. World rank, highest first: 54th of 175.