Malaysia: environment

What are Malaysia's CO2 emissions per person?

Malaysia emitted 8.32 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank.

The figure covers CO2 from burning fuel and from industrial processes, not other greenhouse gases or emissions embodied in imports. Malaysia's official greenhouse gas inventory, covering all gases and forest carbon, is reported to the UN climate convention by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Malaysia · NRES

What is the air quality in Malaysia today?

The Department of Environment publishes hourly Air Pollutant Index (API) readings from its monitoring stations on the APIMS portal. The index summarises several pollutants into a single number for each station, and the portal shows how it is classified.

For the long-run picture, the World Bank puts mean annual exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) at 15.9 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. That annual average hides short episodes of haze, which the hourly readings show.

Official sources: Department of Environment: APIMS · World Bank: PM2.5 exposure, Malaysia

How much of Malaysia is forest?

Forests covered 57.7% of Malaysia's land area in 2024, according to the World Bank, using UN Food and Agriculture Organization data.

The FAO definition counts land with tree cover above set height and canopy thresholds, so the share says nothing on its own about the condition of the forest. The share was 57.7% in 2024; DOSM's environment compendium reports land use and forest data by state.

Official sources: World Bank: Forest area, Malaysia

How many floods does Malaysia have?

Malaysia recorded 1,345 flood incidents in 2024, up from 809 in 2023, according to DOSM's Compendium of Environment Statistics, Malaysia, 2024. Sarawak had the most, at 459, followed by Terengganu with 199 and Kedah with 101.

The count is of flood incidents reported, not of people affected or damage. Rainfall varies widely by place: the compendium reports annual totals from 1,704 mm at Kuala Pilah to 5,624 mm at Kapit in 2024.

Official sources: DOSM: Compendium of Environment Statistics, 2024

How much of Malaysia's electricity is renewable?

Renewable sources produced 17.0% of Malaysia's electricity in 2021, according to the World Bank, the latest year in its series.

Newer data on renewable capacity, including rooftop and large-scale solar, are published by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority and the Energy Commission. The Budget 2027 speech announced a RM1.5 billion centralised solar park for government buildings.

Official sources: World Bank: Renewable electricity output, Malaysia · Sustainable Energy Development Authority · Ministry of Finance: Budget 2027 speech

How much CO2 does Malaysia emit per person?

8.3 tonnes: that is carbon dioxide emissions per person in Malaysia for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 2.1 tonnes; Malaysia is 7th highest of 30. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 23rd highest.

How much greenhouse gas does Malaysia emit?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts total greenhouse gas emissions in Malaysia at 332 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 8th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 45.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 28th highest.

What share of Malaysia's energy comes from renewables?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2021, is 7.5%. No year since 2005 has been higher. East Asia & Pacific median: 14.9%; Malaysia is 21st highest of 30. Worldwide: 153rd of 191.

What is Malaysia's forest cover?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 57.7%. No year since 2005 has been lower. East Asia & Pacific median: 53.6%; Malaysia is 12th highest of 29. Worldwide: 34th of 190.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Malaysia?

15.9 micrograms per cubic metre: that is average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Malaysia for 2023, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 25.2 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2020, at 13.7 micrograms per cubic metre. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 11.7 micrograms per cubic metre, and Malaysia placed 12th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 109th of 192.

What share of Malaysia is protected land?

In 2025, the share of land in protected areas in Malaysia was 13.3%, according to the UN Environment Programme. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2013. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 15.8%, and Malaysia placed 17th highest of 30. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 128th highest.

How much of Malaysia's fresh water is used?

The FAO puts water stress in Malaysia at 3.4% in 2022. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 13.1%, and Malaysia placed 16th highest of 20. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 135th highest.