Philippines: environment

How much CO2 does the Philippines emit?

The Philippines emitted 174.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, up from 162.5 million in 2023, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. That is about 1.5 tonnes per person, according to the World Bank per capita series.

Emissions have risen each year since 2021, when they were 145.6 million tonnes. The Philippines' own greenhouse gas inventory, reported to the UN climate convention, uses different methods and years.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions excluding LULUCF, Philippines · World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Philippines

How bad is air pollution in the Philippines?

Average exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) in the Philippines was 22.2 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023, down from 24.2 in 2022, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. The World Health Organization guideline is 5.

The figure is a population-weighted national average estimated from satellite and ground data, so it does not show peaks along busy roads in Metro Manila. The Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources runs air quality monitoring stations; its website blocked automated access on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Philippines · Department of Environment and Natural Resources

How much of the Philippines' electricity is renewable?

Renewable sources produced 22.6% of the Philippines' electricity in 2021, the latest year in the World Bank World Development Indicators, up from 21.4% in 2020.

The Department of Energy runs green energy auctions, including a fifth round for fixed-bottom offshore wind, and publishes generation statistics on its site. The World Bank series lags several years, so it does not reflect plants built since 2021.

Official sources: World Bank: renewable electricity output, Philippines · Department of Energy

How much does the Philippines spend on climate change?

The 2027 proposed budget tags ₱692.7 billion as climate change expenditure, according to the Department of Budget and Management Technical Notes on the 2027 Proposed National Budget. Sustainable energy accounts for ₱307.3 billion (44.4%), climate-smart industries and services ₱190.1 billion, water sufficiency ₱118.2 billion and food security ₱64.1 billion.

The amounts are grouped by the seven strategic priorities of the National Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2028. Tagging shows where climate-related spending sits across departments; it does not mean the whole amount is new money for climate action. The budget also funds a ₱14 million Climate Change Information Management System to be run by the DENR.

Official sources: DBM: Technical Notes on the 2027 Proposed National Budget (PDF)

How much of the Philippines is covered by forest?

Forest covered 24.8% of the Philippines' land area in 2024, up from 24.4% in 2021, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment data.

Forest area is estimated by countries every few years for the FAO assessment and interpolated in between, so small year-to-year changes should be read with care. The DBM's 2027 budget technical notes describe reforestation work by the DENR to combat deforestation, biodiversity loss and land degradation.

Official sources: World Bank: forest area, Philippines · DBM: Technical Notes on the 2027 Proposed National Budget (PDF)

How much CO2 does the Philippines emit per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in the Philippines at 1.5 tonnes in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.1 tonnes, and the Philippines placed 19th highest of 30. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 115th highest.

What are the Philippines' total greenhouse gas emissions?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, total greenhouse gas emissions in the Philippines was 267 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 9th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 45.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 31st highest.

What share of the Philippines' energy comes from renewables?

The IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO puts the renewable share of final energy use in the Philippines at 28.0% in 2021. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 34.1%; its low point was 2019, at 26.9%. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 14.9%, and the Philippines placed 10th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 83rd of 191.

What share of the Philippines is covered by forest?

In 2024, forest area as a share of land in the Philippines was 24.8%, according to the FAO. That is the highest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 53.6%; the Philippines is 23rd highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 109th of 190.

What is air pollution like in the Philippines?

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in the Philippines was 22.2 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 21.8 micrograms per cubic metre (2020) to 33.0 micrograms per cubic metre (2005). East Asia & Pacific median: 11.7 micrograms per cubic metre; the Philippines is 7th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 70th of 192.

How much of the Philippines is in national parks and reserves?

In 2025, the share of land in protected areas in the Philippines was 16.0%, according to the UN Environment Programme. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2013. It is 15th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 15.8%. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 110th highest.

What is water stress in the Philippines?

In 2022, water stress in the Philippines was 27.8%, according to the FAO. Its high point since 2006 was 2018, at 28.2%; its low point was 2006, at 24.1%. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 13.1%, and the Philippines placed 7th highest of 20. World rank, highest first: 57th of 175.