Kiribati: environment

How are people in Kiribati affected by climate change and natural disasters?

26% of people in Kiribati were affected by a natural disaster in 2023–24, according to the Natural Disasters and Climate Change Report 2023–2024 from the Kiribati National Statistics Office. Strong winds were the most common event, affecting 11% of people, followed by heavy rain (8%), extreme temperatures (7%) and sea-water rise (5%).

The figures come from a module of the 2023–24 household income and expenditure survey, and were Kiribati's first household-level measure of disaster impacts. Damage to dwellings was the most common impact, reported by 60% of affected households. Drought was the main cause of lost farm assets and of disruption to water services. The Kiribati Meteorological Service publishes climate outlooks and tide predictions.

Official sources: KNSO: Natural Disasters and Climate Change Report 2023–2024 (PDF) · Kiribati Meteorological Service

What are Kiribati's climate change targets?

Kiribati's updated nationally determined contribution, submitted in March 2023, commits to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 8% unconditionally and by 23.8% with outside support by 2030, compared with business as usual, according to the UNDP Climate Promise summary for Kiribati. For 2025 the targets were 9.5% unconditionally and 16.7% with support.

The contribution also sets carbon sinks of 0.16 kt CO2 in 2025 and 0.15 kt CO2 in 2030, and covers energy, waste, agriculture and land use. It sets out the Kiribati Joint Implementation Plan for adaptation and disaster risk reduction. Business as usual means the emissions expected if no new policies were adopted, so the targets are measured against a projection rather than a past year.

Official sources: UNDP Climate Promise: Kiribati

How much of Kiribati's electricity comes from renewable energy?

Solar power produced 7 GWh of Kiribati's electricity in 2023, against 27.6 GWh from oil, or about 20% of the total, according to the electricity generation data on the Pacific Community's Pacific Data Hub. Solar output was 3.2 GWh in 2021 and 2022.

The share is worked out from the generation figures; solar is the only renewable source in the data. Oil generation is shown as 27.6 GWh in each year from 2021 to 2023. The National Statistics Office's energy page holds Public Utilities Board statistics up to 2019.

Official sources: SPC Pacific Data Hub: Power generation · NSO: Energy

What is Kiribati's carbon footprint per person?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Kiribati was 0.6 tonnes in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.5 tonnes (2012) to 0.7 tonnes (2006). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.1 tonnes, and Kiribati placed 22nd highest of 30. Worldwide: 143rd of 186.

How much greenhouse gas does Kiribati emit?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in Kiribati was 0.1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 45.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Kiribati is 26th highest of 30. Worldwide: 182nd of 186.

How much of Kiribati's energy is renewable?

41.9%: that is the renewable share of final energy use in Kiribati for 2022, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. No year since 2005 has been lower. East Asia & Pacific median: 18.6%; Kiribati is 4th highest of 14. Worldwide: 23rd of 53.

What is Kiribati's forest cover?

1.3%: that is forest area as a share of land in Kiribati for 2024, according to the FAO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 29th highest of 29 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 53.6%. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 175th highest.

How polluted is the air in Kiribati?

The latest figure from the Global Burden of Disease study, for 2023, is 3.9 micrograms per cubic metre. The peak was 5.8 micrograms per cubic metre in 2015 and the low 3.5 micrograms per cubic metre in 2021. East Asia & Pacific median: 11.7 micrograms per cubic metre; Kiribati is 29th highest of 30. Worldwide: 191st of 192.

What share of Kiribati is protected land?

According to the UN Environment Programme, the share of land in protected areas in Kiribati was 22.9% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2013. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 15.8%, and Kiribati placed 6th highest of 30. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 60th highest.