Lesotho: environment

Where does Lesotho get its electricity?

Lesotho imported 581.0 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity in 2024 and generated 383.3 GWh at the 'Muela hydropower station, according to the Energy Report 2024 of the Lesotho Bureau of Statistics.

Imports, from South Africa's Eskom and Mozambique's EDM, rose 22.1% from 475.8 GWh in 2023, while 'Muela output fell 18.6% from 470.6 GWh. The report says 'Muela, with 72 megawatts of capacity, is Lesotho's main power station and that Lesotho imports all its fossil fuels. 60.6% of the population had access to electricity in 2024, according to the World Bank.

Official sources: Bureau of Statistics: Energy Report 2024 (ZIP with PDF) · World Bank: Access to electricity, Lesotho

What are Lesotho's CO2 emissions?

Lesotho emitted 1.0 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank. That is about 0.4 tonnes per person.

Emissions were 0.76 million tonnes in 2021. The World Bank figures come from the EDGAR database and count emissions from fuel burned inside the country. Electricity imported from South Africa is counted where it is generated, not in Lesotho. The Lesotho Bureau of Statistics publishes an annual energy report and an environment report among its publications.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions, Lesotho · Bureau of Statistics: publications

How many people in Lesotho have clean drinking water?

78.1% of Lesotho's population used at least a basic drinking water service in 2024, according to the World Bank, which publishes WHO and UNICEF estimates. The share was 76.3% in 2021.

A basic service means water from a protected source that can be collected within a 30-minute round trip. Piped water in towns is supplied by the Water and Sewerage Company. The Lesotho Highlands Water Project, run by the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority, transfers water from the highlands to South Africa; bulk water is among Lesotho's main exports.

Official sources: World Bank: Basic drinking water services, Lesotho · Water and Sewerage Company · Lesotho Highlands Development Authority

How much CO2 does Lesotho emit per person?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Lesotho was 0.4 tonnes in 2024. The peak was 0.4 tonnes in 2022 and the low 0.2 tonnes in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 0.4 tonnes; Lesotho is 23rd highest of 47. Worldwide: 154th of 186.

What are Lesotho's total greenhouse gas emissions?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 3.1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 3.1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; its low point was 2020, at 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Lesotho is 41st highest of 47. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 155th highest.

How much renewable energy does Lesotho use?

In 2022, the renewable share of final energy use in Lesotho was 34.9%, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. The peak was 55.5% in 2006 and the low 33.6% in 2021. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 70.0%, and Lesotho placed 19th highest of 23. Worldwide: 26th of 53.

What is Lesotho's forest cover?

The FAO puts forest area as a share of land in Lesotho at 1.1% in 2024. It has not changed since 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 22.2%, and Lesotho placed 46th highest of 48. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 178th highest.

What is air pollution like in Lesotho?

The Global Burden of Disease study puts average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Lesotho at 26.4 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. The peak was 33.5 micrograms per cubic metre in 2010 and the low 24.2 micrograms per cubic metre in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre; Lesotho is 26th highest of 48. Worldwide: 58th of 192.

How much of Lesotho is in national parks and reserves?

According to the UN Environment Programme, the share of land in protected areas in Lesotho was 23.4% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2013. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 16.9%, and Lesotho placed 16th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 56th of 192.

Is Lesotho short of water?

The FAO puts water stress in Lesotho at 2.6% in 2022. The figure has been the same every year since 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 5.1%, and Lesotho placed 29th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 140th of 175.