Paraguay: environment

How much of Paraguay's energy is renewable?

Renewable sources supplied 58.8% of Paraguay's final energy consumption in 2021, according to the World Bank. Virtually all of Paraguay's electricity comes from hydropower: the World Bank's last figure for renewable electricity output is 99.997% for 2012.

The energy share is lower than the electricity share because it also covers transport fuels, heating and industrial uses. The National Electricity Administration (ANDE) distributes power from the Itaipú, Yacyretá and Acaray dams.

Official sources: World Bank: renewable energy consumption share, Paraguay · World Bank: renewable electricity output, Paraguay

What are Paraguay's CO2 emissions?

Paraguay emitted 8.0 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank, about 1.25 tonnes per person. That was up from 7.7 million tonnes in 2023.

The series covers fuel combustion and industrial processes. It excludes emissions from deforestation and other land-use change, which Paraguay reports in its national greenhouse gas inventory, prepared by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions, Paraguay

What is the air quality in Paraguay?

People in Paraguay were exposed to an average of 15.3 micrograms of fine particles (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to the World Bank, three times the WHO guideline of 5. It was 14.4 in 2022.

The estimate is a population-weighted annual average from satellite data and models, not a reading from one monitor. No national air quality series was found on the Ministry of Environment's site, checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Paraguay

What is Paraguay's carbon footprint per person?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Paraguay was 1.2 tonnes in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.7 tonnes (2005) to 1.4 tonnes (2018). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.3 tonnes, and Paraguay placed 28th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 124th of 186.

What are Paraguay's total greenhouse gas emissions?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in Paraguay was 41.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Since 2005 it has ranged from 25.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (2005) to 42.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (2020). Latin America & Caribbean median: 19.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Paraguay is 13th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 90th of 186.

How much of Paraguay's energy is renewable?

The IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO puts the renewable share of final energy use in Paraguay at 58.8% in 2021. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 18.9%; Paraguay is 3rd highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 38th of 191.

How much of Paraguay is forest?

According to the FAO, forest area as a share of land in Paraguay was 36.5% in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 22nd highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 50.6%. World rank, highest first: 82nd of 190.

How polluted is the air in Paraguay?

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Paraguay was 15.3 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 23.5 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2013, at 12.2 micrograms per cubic metre. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 15.7 micrograms per cubic metre, and Paraguay placed 18th highest of 33. Worldwide: 114th of 192.

How much of Paraguay is in national parks and reserves?

14.9%: that is the share of land in protected areas in Paraguay for 2025, according to the UN Environment Programme. No year since 2013 has been higher. Latin America & Caribbean median: 20.1%; Paraguay is 25th highest of 33. Worldwide: 118th of 192.

How much of Paraguay's fresh water is used?

1.8%: that is water stress in Paraguay for 2022, according to the FAO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 28th highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 7.7%. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 150th highest.