Jamaica: environment

How much damage did Hurricane Melissa cause in Jamaica?

Hurricane Melissa caused an estimated US$8.8 billion in damage, about 41% of GDP, according to the Independent Fiscal Commission's estimate cited by the Minister of Finance in February 2026. In September the ministry described the damage and loss as equivalent to more than half of GDP.

The storm struck Jamaica on 28 October 2025. Damage covers destroyed buildings, roads and other assets, while loss also counts output and income forgone, which is why the two measures differ. STATIN publishes a page on the impact of Hurricane Melissa. In May 2026 the government took out US$200 million of hurricane insurance through a new World Bank catastrophe bond, according to the ministry.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: statement from the Minister, 11 February 2026

Is there a drought in Jamaica?

Yes. 107 National Water Commission systems were affected by drought, according to the NWC as reported by the Jamaica Information Service on 30 September 2026. The Hermitage Dam was at 40.2% of capacity and the Mona Dam at 33.7%.

The NWC said the worst-hit areas were Kingston, St Andrew, St Thomas and the north-east, and that some smaller facilities were at zero. It was recommissioning resting wells and trucking water. The Bank of Jamaica said drought and El Niño had reduced crop yields and raised food prices. The Meteorological Service publishes rainfall data and drought outlooks by parish.

Official sources: JIS: 107 NWC Systems Impacted by Drought · Bank of Jamaica: Monetary Policy Press Release, September 2026 · Meteorological Service of Jamaica

What are Jamaica's CO2 emissions?

Jamaica emitted 8.07 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, or 2.84 tonnes per person, according to the World Bank. Emissions were 6.47 million tonnes in 2021.

The figures exclude land use, land-use change and forestry. Most of Jamaica's emissions come from burning imported oil and gas for electricity, transport and alumina refining, so they move with energy use and the bauxite industry. The World Bank series comes from the EDGAR database. Jamaica's own greenhouse gas inventory, reported to the UN climate convention, uses national methods, and STATIN's environment tables include emissions reported by licensed facilities.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions, Jamaica · STATIN: environment statistics

How much of Jamaica's electricity is renewable?

12.8% of Jamaica's electricity came from renewable sources in 2021, according to the World Bank. Renewables made up 10.5% of total final energy consumption in the same year.

Jamaica's renewable electricity comes mainly from wind, solar and hydro, with the rest generated from imported natural gas and oil. The World Bank series, drawn from International Energy Agency and UN data, is published with a lag of several years, so it does not show plants added since 2021. The Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport publishes national energy statistics, and the Office of Utilities Regulation oversees electricity generation and tariffs.

Official sources: World Bank: Renewable electricity output, Jamaica

How much CO2 does Jamaica emit per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in Jamaica at 2.8 tonnes in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.1 tonnes (2020) to 4.6 tonnes (2006). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.3 tonnes, and Jamaica placed 12th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 86th of 186.

What are Jamaica's emissions?

9.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent: that is total greenhouse gas emissions in Jamaica for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. The peak was 13.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2006 and the low 7.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2020. It is 22nd highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 19.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. World rank, highest first: 140th of 186.

How much of Jamaica's energy is renewable?

The IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO puts the renewable share of final energy use in Jamaica at 10.5% in 2021. Its high point since 2005 was 2012, at 12.2%; its low point was 2006, at 4.8%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 18.9%; Jamaica is 23rd highest of 33. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 141st highest.

How much of Jamaica is forest?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 56.5%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 50.6%, and Jamaica placed 9th highest of 32. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 39th highest.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Jamaica?

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Jamaica was 21.7 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 22.3 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2005, at 19.5 micrograms per cubic metre. Latin America & Caribbean median: 15.7 micrograms per cubic metre; Jamaica is 7th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 75th of 192.

How much of Jamaica is in national parks and reserves?

According to the UN Environment Programme, the share of land in protected areas in Jamaica was 19.9% in 2025. Its high point since 2013 was 2022, at 20.0%; its low point was 2013, at 15.9%. It is 18th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 20.1%. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 84th highest.

Is Jamaica short of water?

12.4%: that is water stress in Jamaica for 2022, according to the FAO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 7.7% (2015) to 14.3% (2014). Latin America & Caribbean median: 7.7%; Jamaica is 9th highest of 32. World rank, highest first: 81st of 175.