Peru: environment

What are Peru's CO2 emissions per person?

Peru emitted 2.02 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank, up from 1.92 tonnes in 2023.

The series covers CO2 from fuel and industry and leaves out land use and forestry, including deforestation. INEI has published an experimental air emissions account for 2019-2021.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Peru (API) · INEI: Experimental air emissions account 2019-2021

How bad is air pollution in Lima?

In June 2026 the Lima Centro station in San Borja and the Pariachi station in Ate recorded particulate levels above the permitted limits, according to INEI environmental statistics, using SENAMHI data. Stations in San Martín de Porres, Campo de Marte, Santa Anita, San Juan de Lurigancho and Villa María del Triunfo stayed within limits.

For the country as a whole, the World Bank puts mean exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) at 31.1 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. That is a modelled annual average and does not show day-to-day changes.

Official sources: INEI: Air quality in Lima, June 2026 · World Bank: PM2.5 exposure, Peru (API)

How much of Peru is forest?

Forests covered 52.7% of Peru's land area in 2024, down from 52.9% in 2023, according to the World Bank, using UN Food and Agriculture Organization data.

The share fell by about 0.2 percentage points between 2023 and 2024. The FAO counts land with tree cover above set thresholds, so the figure does not show the condition of the forest.

Official sources: World Bank: Forest area, Peru

How is El Niño affecting Peru in 2026?

INEI reported that agriculture fell 1.23% and fishing 27.44% in July 2026 compared with a year earlier, which it attributed to unusually warm weather and heavy rain linked to the gradual consolidation of El Niño, in its national production release. The anchoveta catch fell 99.1% after fishing in the north-central zone was suspended.

El Niño warnings and forecasts are issued by SENAMHI. The government has said the second step of the minimum wage rise will come after the El Niño event.

Official sources: INEI: National production, July 2026 · SENAMHI

How much of Peru's electricity is renewable?

Renewable sources produced 61.8% of Peru's electricity in 2021, according to the World Bank, the latest year in the series, down from 64.3% in 2020.

The share can change from year to year with output from different sources, so a single year should be read with care. INEI reports monthly electricity production; the electricity subsector grew 7.83% in July 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: Renewable electricity output, Peru (API) · INEI: Electricity subsector, July 2026

How much CO2 does Peru emit per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in Peru at 2.0 tonnes in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. Latin America & Caribbean median: 2.3 tonnes; Peru is 19th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 102nd of 186.

How much greenhouse gas does Peru emit?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, total greenhouse gas emissions in Peru was 104 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 19.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Peru placed 7th highest of 33. Worldwide: 51st of 186.

How much of Peru's energy is renewable?

30.6%: that is the renewable share of final energy use in Peru for 2021, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. The peak was 38.7% in 2006 and the low 27.1% in 2019. Latin America & Caribbean median: 18.9%; Peru is 10th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 78th of 191.

What share of Peru is covered by forest?

According to the FAO, forest area as a share of land in Peru was 52.7% in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 50.6%, and Peru placed 14th highest of 32. World rank, highest first: 46th of 190.

How polluted is the air in Peru?

The latest figure from the Global Burden of Disease study, for 2023, is 31.1 micrograms per cubic metre. The peak was 58.1 micrograms per cubic metre in 2005 and the low 27.1 micrograms per cubic metre in 2014. Latin America & Caribbean median: 15.7 micrograms per cubic metre; Peru is 1st highest of 33. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 47th highest.

What share of Peru is protected land?

According to the UN Environment Programme, the share of land in protected areas in Peru was 22.1% in 2025. Since 2013 it has ranged from 21.3% (2016) to 31.5% (2014). It is 13th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 20.1%. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 69th highest.

What is water stress in Peru?

In 2022, water stress in Peru was 4.8%, according to the FAO. The peak was 7.2% in 2019 and the low 2.5% in 2008. Latin America & Caribbean median: 7.7%; Peru is 22nd highest of 32. World rank, highest first: 119th of 175.