Sudan: environment

What are Sudan's CO2 emissions?

Sudan's carbon dioxide emissions were 0.43 tonnes per person in 2024, excluding land use, according to World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026. Total greenhouse gas emissions, including methane and nitrous oxide, were 138.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024.

Total greenhouse gases are much larger than CO2 alone because they add methane and nitrous oxide, converted to CO2 equivalent. The figures exclude land use, land-use change and forestry. They come from international emissions databases, not a national inventory, since no Sudanese environment agency site could be reached on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Sudan · World Bank: total greenhouse gas emissions, Sudan

How many people in Sudan have electricity?

66% of Sudan's population had access to electricity in 2024, according to World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.

Access means a household has an electricity connection or another source, such as solar, that provides power. It does not show how many hours a day power is available, which damage to the grid since April 2023 has affected. The figure is a modelled estimate based on household surveys. The Ministry of Energy's website could not be reached on 15 October 2026, so no national figure could be read.

Official sources: World Bank: access to electricity, Sudan

How much of Sudan's electricity is renewable?

61.1% of Sudan's electricity came from renewable sources in 2021, the latest figure on World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026. Renewables were also 61% of total final energy use in 2021.

The electricity figure is the share of power generated from sources such as hydropower, solar and wind. The final energy figure covers all energy used, including for cooking, heating and transport, and counts traditional biomass such as wood as renewable. Both figures predate the conflict that began in April 2023.

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

What is the air quality in Sudan?

People in Sudan were exposed to an average of 37.6 micrograms of fine particles (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.

PM2.5 are particles small enough to reach deep into the lungs. The figure is a population-weighted annual average, modelled from satellite data and ground monitors, so it smooths out daily peaks. It is not a reading from a national monitoring network; none was found on official Sudanese sites checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 air pollution, Sudan

How much of Sudan is forest?

Forest covered 11.86% of Sudan's land area in 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization data on World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.

The figure counts land with trees taller than 5 metres covering more than 10% of the ground, over at least half a hectare, including planted forest. It comes from national reports to the FAO's Forest Resources Assessment and is updated every few years, so changes from year to year are partly estimated. Gum arabic exports were US$78.2 million in 2025, according to the Central Bank of Sudan.

Official sources: World Bank: forest area, Sudan · Central Bank of Sudan: Economic and Financial Statistics Review, Jan-Jun 2026

What is Sudan's carbon footprint per person?

0.4 tonnes: that is carbon dioxide emissions per person in Sudan for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at 0.6 tonnes; its low point was 2005, at 0.3 tonnes. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 0.4 tonnes; Sudan is 22nd highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 153rd of 186.

What are Sudan's emissions?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in Sudan was 139 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 140 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; its low point was 2005, at 114 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. It is 4th highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Worldwide: 43rd of 186.

What share of Sudan's energy comes from renewables?

61.0%: that is the renewable share of final energy use in Sudan for 2021, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 72.3%; its low point was 2016, at 58.9%. It is 30th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 71.1%. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 37th highest.

How much of Sudan is forest?

The FAO puts forest area as a share of land in Sudan at 11.9% in 2024. No year since 2012 has been lower. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 22.2%, and Sudan placed 38th highest of 48. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 148th highest.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Sudan?

The Global Burden of Disease study puts average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Sudan at 37.6 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. The peak was 42.2 micrograms per cubic metre in 2011 and the low 34.3 micrograms per cubic metre in 2020. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre, and Sudan placed 10th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 27th of 192.

What share of Sudan is protected land?

According to the UN Environment Programme, the share of land in protected areas in Sudan was 2.8% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2013. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 16.9%, and Sudan placed 45th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 178th of 192.

What is water stress in Sudan?

According to the FAO, water stress in Sudan was 118.7% in 2022. It has not changed since 2012. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 5.1%; Sudan is 1st highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 13th of 175.