Suriname: environment

Is Suriname carbon negative?

Suriname's forests and land use removed a net 17,322.1 gigagrams (about 17.3 million tonnes) of CO2-equivalent in 2017, while the country emitted 3,591.5 gigagrams from all sources, according to the General Bureau of Statistics Environment Statistics 2024, which draws on Suriname's Third National Communication to the UN climate convention.

That means removals by forests were several times larger than emissions in 2017, the latest year in the inventory. Energy was the largest source of emissions, for example 84.5% in 2013. Carbon dioxide emissions excluding land use were 4.06 tonnes per person in 2024, according to World Bank data.

Official sources: ABS: Environment Statistics 2024 (PDF) · World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Suriname

How much of Suriname is forest?

Forest covered 92.56% of Suriname's land area, or 151,631 square kilometres, in 2023, according to the Foundation for Forest Management and Production Control, published in the General Bureau of Statistics Environment Statistics 2024. That was down from 92.75% (151,950 km²) in 2019.

The 2023 figure is an estimate based on earlier data, and the percentages come from land cover maps. A separate estimate by the World Bank puts forest at 91.5% of land area in 2024; the two use different methods.

Official sources: ABS: Environment Statistics 2024 (PDF) · World Bank: forest area, Suriname

What is the climate like in Suriname?

The average annual temperature across eight measuring stations in Suriname was 27.0°C in 2023, with a minimum of 17.8°C and a maximum of 37.6°C, according to Meteorological Service figures in the General Bureau of Statistics Environment Statistics 2024. Annual averages ranged from 26.4°C to 27.0°C between 2019 and 2023.

The minimum and maximum are the most extreme readings in the year, not typical daily values. The same publication gives rainfall totals by station for the coastal area and the interior.

Official sources: ABS: Environment Statistics 2024 (PDF)

What are Suriname's CO2 emissions per person?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Suriname was 4.1 tonnes in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.7 tonnes (2007) to 5.0 tonnes (2016). Latin America & Caribbean median: 2.3 tonnes; Suriname is 3rd highest of 33. Worldwide: 59th of 186.

What are Suriname's total greenhouse gas emissions?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, total greenhouse gas emissions in Suriname was 3.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at 4.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; its low point was 2007, at 2.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 19.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Suriname placed 24th highest of 33. Worldwide: 153rd of 186.

How much renewable energy does Suriname use?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2021, is 14.5%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 11.1% (2016) to 26.5% (2009). It is 19th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 18.9%. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 125th highest.

How much of Suriname is forest?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 91.5%. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 50.6%; Suriname is 1st highest of 32. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 2nd highest.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Suriname?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Suriname was 15.7 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Since 2005 it has ranged from 15.2 micrograms per cubic metre (2018) to 23.1 micrograms per cubic metre (2005). Latin America & Caribbean median: 15.7 micrograms per cubic metre; Suriname is 17th highest of 33. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 112th highest.

How much of Suriname is in national parks and reserves?

In 2025, the share of land in protected areas in Suriname was 14.8%, according to the UN Environment Programme. No year since 2013 has been higher. Latin America & Caribbean median: 20.1%; Suriname is 26th highest of 33. Worldwide: 120th of 192.

How much of Suriname's fresh water is used?

In 2022, water stress in Suriname was 4.0%, according to the FAO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 7.7%; Suriname is 24th highest of 32. World rank, highest first: 130th of 175.