Solomon Islands: environment

Is there a drought in the Solomon Islands?

El Niño is firmly established in the tropical Pacific, including the Solomon Islands, according to the ENSO update of 15 September 2026 from Solomon Islands Meteorological Services. Central Pacific sea surface temperatures were 2.51°C above normal in the week to 13 September, well above the 0.80°C El Niño threshold, and the event is expected to last into March to May 2027.

The service says El Niño usually brings below normal rainfall in the Solomon Islands and that a strong event raises the risk of meteorological drought. It warns that lower river flows can increase malaria and waterborne disease risks. The update is a seasonal outlook, not a forecast for any one place.

Official sources: SIMS: ENSO update

What are the Solomon Islands CO2 emissions?

The Solomon Islands emitted 0.38 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to World Bank data updated on 8 October 2026. Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding land use were 0.62 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the same source.

These are international estimates. Leaving out land use and forestry matters for the Solomon Islands, where changes in forest cover affect net emissions; the central bank notes logging as a source of government revenue. National climate policy is led by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 per capita, Solomon Islands · World Bank: total GHG emissions, Solomon Islands

How much forest does the Solomon Islands have?

Forest covered 89.8% of land in the Solomon Islands in 2024, according to FAO data published by the World Bank.

The figures come from the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment, which uses national reporting and remote sensing; forest area is not the same as untouched forest, and logged land that regrows can still count. Logging is an important export and source of government revenue, and the central bank lists falling logging revenue as a fiscal risk in its Monetary Policy Report of September 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: forest area, Solomon Islands · Central Bank of Solomon Islands: Monetary Policy Report, September 2026 (PDF)

How many people in the Solomon Islands have electricity?

81.5% of people in the Solomon Islands had access to electricity in 2024, according to the World Bank, using household survey data and estimates compiled for the UN tracking of energy access.

Access counts any electricity source, including off-grid systems. Electricity sales fell 3% to 46,857 megawatt hours in the first half of 2026, according to the Central Bank of Solomon Islands Monetary Policy Report of September 2026, which says investment in renewable energy would reduce reliance on fuel imports.

Official sources: World Bank: access to electricity, Solomon Islands · Central Bank of Solomon Islands: Monetary Policy Report, September 2026 (PDF)

How polluted is the air in the Solomon Islands?

People in the Solomon Islands were exposed to an average of 9.8 micrograms of fine particles (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to estimates published by the World Bank.

The figure is a modelled national average from satellite data and models, not readings from monitoring stations. The WHO guideline for yearly average PM2.5 is 5 micrograms per cubic metre.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 exposure, Solomon Islands

What is the Solomon Islands' carbon footprint per person?

In 2024, carbon dioxide emissions per person in the Solomon Islands was 0.4 tonnes, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Its high point since 2005 was 2011, at 0.7 tonnes; its low point was 2023, at 0.4 tonnes. It is 26th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.1 tonnes. World rank, highest first: 155th of 186.

What are the Solomon Islands' emissions?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, total greenhouse gas emissions in the Solomon Islands was 0.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. The peak was 0.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2013 and the low 0.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 45.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and the Solomon Islands placed 23rd highest of 30. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 172nd highest.

What share of the Solomon Islands' energy comes from renewables?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2022, is 50.1%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 2nd highest of 14 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 18.6%. Worldwide: 19th of 53.

What is the Solomon Islands' forest cover?

According to the FAO, forest area as a share of land in the Solomon Islands was 89.8% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 3rd highest of 29 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 53.6%. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 5th highest.

How polluted is the air in the Solomon Islands?

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in the Solomon Islands was 9.8 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. The peak was 11.1 micrograms per cubic metre in 2017 and the low 8.1 micrograms per cubic metre in 2011. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 11.7 micrograms per cubic metre, and the Solomon Islands placed 17th highest of 30. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 156th highest.

What share of the Solomon Islands is protected land?

The UN Environment Programme puts the share of land in protected areas in the Solomon Islands at 2.4% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2013. East Asia & Pacific median: 15.8%; the Solomon Islands is 27th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 179th of 192.