Papua New Guinea: environment

What are Papua New Guinea's CO2 emissions?

Papua New Guinea emitted 5.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, about the same as in 2023, according to the World Bank.

With a population of about 10.8 million, that is around half a tonne per person. The figure leaves out land use, land-use change and forestry, which matter in Papua New Guinea because 75.2% of its land was forest in 2024, according to the World Bank. Forests absorb carbon, and clearing them releases it.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions excluding LULUCF · World Bank: Forest area (% of land area)

How polluted is the air in Papua New Guinea?

People in Papua New Guinea were exposed to an average of 14.1 micrograms of fine particles (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, down from 16.1 in 2022, according to the World Bank.

The figure is a modelled, population-weighted annual average. The World Health Organization's guideline for annual exposure is 5 micrograms. No national air quality monitoring results could be read on official Papua New Guinea websites on 15 October 2026. Regional environment statistics are collected by the Pacific Community.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure · Pacific Community: Statistics for Development

How many people in Papua New Guinea have clean drinking water?

53.3% of people in Papua New Guinea used at least basic drinking water services in 2024, up from 51.4% in 2022, according to the World Bank, which uses WHO and UNICEF estimates.

A basic service means water from an improved source, such as a piped supply, protected well or rainwater, that takes no more than 30 minutes to collect, including queuing. The estimates come from the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme and are based on household surveys and censuses.

Official sources: World Bank: Basic drinking water services

How much CO2 does Papua New Guinea emit per person?

0.5 tonnes: that is carbon dioxide emissions per person in Papua New Guinea for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.1 tonnes, and Papua New Guinea placed 24th highest of 30. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 149th highest.

What are Papua New Guinea's total greenhouse gas emissions?

10.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent: that is total greenhouse gas emissions in Papua New Guinea for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at 11.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; its low point was 2010, at 7.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. It is 18th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 45.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 138th highest.

What share of Papua New Guinea's energy comes from renewables?

In 2022, the renewable share of final energy use in Papua New Guinea was 54.6%, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 53.2% (2019) to 58.9% (2006). It is 1st highest of 14 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 18.6%. Worldwide: 18th of 53.

How much of Papua New Guinea is forest?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 75.2%. No year since 2005 has been lower. East Asia & Pacific median: 53.6%; Papua New Guinea is 4th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 9th of 190.

What is air pollution like in Papua New Guinea?

The latest figure from the Global Burden of Disease study, for 2023, is 14.1 micrograms per cubic metre. Since 2005 it has ranged from 13.3 micrograms per cubic metre (2020) to 16.5 micrograms per cubic metre (2010). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 11.7 micrograms per cubic metre, and Papua New Guinea placed 14th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 125th of 192.

How much of Papua New Guinea's land is protected?

3.7%: that is the share of land in protected areas in Papua New Guinea for 2025, according to the UN Environment Programme. No year since 2013 has been higher. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 15.8%, and Papua New Guinea placed 26th highest of 30. Worldwide: 174th of 192.

What is water stress in Papua New Guinea?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2022, is 0.1%. It has not changed since 2005. It is 20th highest of 20 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 13.1%. World rank, highest first: 174th of 175.