Marshall Islands: environment

Where does drinking water come from in the Marshall Islands?

Most homes in the Marshall Islands get drinking water from rain catchment tanks, and 25.1% of households (1,790) mainly drank bottled water bought from vendors at the 2021 census, according to EPPSO's census analytical report. In rural areas almost 86% of households drank from their own rainwater tank.

Bottled water was most common in Majuro (37.2% of households) and Kwajalein (22.3%), and rare in rural areas (1.2%). The same census found that all housing units had electricity in 2021, and that 83.7% of rural households used solar lighting. The report notes that 19.3% of households had experienced at least one natural disaster, most often coastal erosion (10.0%), water scarcity (7.8%) or land salination (6.7%).

Official sources: EPPSO: RMI 2021 Census of Population and Housing, analytical report (PDF)

What is the Marshall Islands' carbon footprint per person?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, carbon dioxide emissions per person in the Marshall Islands was 0.0 tonnes in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 2.1 tonnes; the Marshall Islands is 27th highest of 30. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 183rd highest.

What are the Marshall Islands' total greenhouse gas emissions?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, total greenhouse gas emissions in the Marshall Islands was 0.0 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 45.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and the Marshall Islands placed 29th highest of 30. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 185th highest.

How much of the Marshall Islands' energy is renewable?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2022, is 12.2%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 11.7% (2015) to 18.4% (2005). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 18.6%, and the Marshall Islands placed 8th highest of 14. Of 53 countries with 2022 data, 35th highest.

How much of the Marshall Islands is forest?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 53.6%. The peak was 53.9% in 2020 and the low 52.2% in 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 53.6%, and the Marshall Islands placed 15th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 43rd of 190.

How polluted is the air in the Marshall Islands?

The latest figure from the Global Burden of Disease study, for 2023, is 4.1 micrograms per cubic metre. The peak was 5.4 micrograms per cubic metre in 2011 and the low 4.0 micrograms per cubic metre in 2019. It is 28th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 11.7 micrograms per cubic metre. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 190th highest.

What share of the Marshall Islands is protected land?

The UN Environment Programme puts the share of land in protected areas in the Marshall Islands at 16.1% in 2025. Since 2013 it has ranged from 3.3% (2013) to 16.6% (2024). It is 13th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 15.8%. Worldwide: 107th of 192.