Monaco: environment

What are Monaco's greenhouse gas emissions?

Monaco's greenhouse gas emissions were 61.6 kilotonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024, according to the 2026 national inventory report to the UNFCCC, as published by the Direction de l'Environnement in IMSEE, Monaco en Chiffres 2026, chapter 1. That is 39.3% below the 1990 level.

Energy used in buildings (heating, cooling and hot water) produced 20.7 kt, mobility 19.0 kt and waste treatment 19.1 kt. Monaco's target under the Paris Agreement is a 55% cut by 2030 compared with 1990, and the inventory chart also shows a carbon neutrality goal. The inventory is published two years after the year it covers, and methodological changes can revise earlier years.

Official sources: IMSEE: Monaco en Chiffres 2026, chapter 1 Territoire et environnement (PDF)

How much of Monaco's energy is renewable?

64.6% of the energy consumed in Monaco in 2024 was of renewable origin, according to the Direction de l'Environnement in IMSEE, Monaco en Chiffres 2026. Local production covered 24% of total energy consumption.

The renewable share includes energy produced locally and energy of biogenic origin, which the yearbook shows separately. Local production includes electricity from the waste-to-energy plant, which treated 41,317 tonnes of waste in 2025. The yearbook gives the full energy balance by source in the same chapter.

Official sources: IMSEE: Monaco en Chiffres 2026, chapter 1 Territoire et environnement (PDF)

What is the air quality like in Monaco?

Monaco's air quality index was rated "good" on 13 days in 2025, "average" on 223 days, "degraded" on 97 days and "poor" on 30 days, according to the Direction de l'Environnement in IMSEE, Monaco en Chiffres 2026. There were no "very poor" days, and 2 days had no rating.

The index combines five pollutants: nitrogen dioxide, ozone, PM10 and PM2.5 particles, and sulphur dioxide. It is measured at five stations, two for background urban air and three near roads, plus eight micro-sensors since 2020. In 2024 there were 20 "poor" days and one "very poor" day. Ratings use the criteria set in Monaco's Environment Code.

Official sources: IMSEE: Monaco en Chiffres 2026, chapter 1 Territoire et environnement (PDF)

What is Monaco's forest cover?

According to the FAO, forest area as a share of land in Monaco was 0.0% in 2023. The figure has been the same every year since 2005. It is 52nd highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 33.0%. Of 193 countries with 2023 data, 192nd highest.

How polluted is the air in Monaco?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Monaco was 11.4 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 32nd highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 144th highest.

What share of Monaco is protected land?

The latest figure from the UN Environment Programme, for 2025, is 20.9%. The peak was 33.2% in 2016 and the low 10.2% in 2021. It is 30th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 22.1%. World rank, highest first: 80th of 192.