Tanzania: environment

How much CO2 does Tanzania emit?

Tanzania emitted 21.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. That is about 0.3 tonnes per person, according to the World Bank per capita series.

Emissions were 18.9 million tonnes in 2021. The figures leave out emissions from deforestation and land use. Tanzania's own greenhouse gas inventory, reported to the UN climate convention, uses different methods.

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

How much of Tanzania is covered by forest?

Forests covered 49.6% of Tanzania's land area in 2024, down from 51.2% in 2021, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

The share falls by about half a percentage point a year. Only 11% of people used clean cooking fuels in 2024, according to the World Bank. The FAO figures are estimates based on national forest data.

Official sources: World Bank: forest area, Tanzania · World Bank: access to clean cooking, Tanzania

How bad is air pollution in Tanzania?

Average exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) in Tanzania was 20.2 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023, down from 21.8 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 higher levels in some cities or near busy roads. Indoor smoke from cooking with wood and charcoal is not included.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Tanzania

How much of Tanzania's energy is renewable?

Renewable sources produced 37.2% of Tanzania's electricity in 2021, the latest year in the World Bank World Development Indicators. Renewables made up 78.3% of final energy consumption, according to the World Bank.

The share of final energy is high because solid biomass such as wood and charcoal counts as renewable energy. The electricity share moves with rainfall, which affects hydropower: it was 41.2% in 2020 and 33.5% in 2019. The World Bank series lags several years, so it does not show capacity added since 2021.

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

How will El Niño affect Tanzania?

The Bank of Tanzania warned in September 2026 that above-normal short rains (Vuli) associated with a strong El Niño could disrupt transport and food distribution in Tanzania, according to its Monthly Economic Review. It said El Niño is expected to strengthen further towards the end of 2026 and early 2027.

The Bank lists this among the risks to food prices and inflation. Food reserves held by the National Food Reserve Agency were 484,332 tonnes at the end of August 2026. Water withdrawal was 13.0% of available freshwater resources in 2022, according to the World Bank.

Official sources: Bank of Tanzania: Monthly Economic Review, September 2026 (PDF) · World Bank: level of water stress, Tanzania

How much CO2 does Tanzania emit per person?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Tanzania was 0.3 tonnes in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.1 tonnes (2009) to 0.3 tonnes (2023). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 0.4 tonnes, and Tanzania placed 28th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 160th of 186.

What are Tanzania's emissions?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in Tanzania was 103 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 6th highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 53rd highest.

How much renewable energy does Tanzania use?

According to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, the renewable share of final energy use in Tanzania was 78.3% in 2021. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 71.1%, and Tanzania placed 18th highest of 48. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 20th highest.

How much of Tanzania is forest?

The FAO puts forest area as a share of land in Tanzania at 49.6% in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 12th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 22.2%. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 54th highest.

What is air pollution like in Tanzania?

20.2 micrograms per cubic metre: that is average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Tanzania for 2023, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Since 2005 it has ranged from 18.6 micrograms per cubic metre (2017) to 24.1 micrograms per cubic metre (2008). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre; Tanzania is 34th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 82nd of 192.

What share of Tanzania is protected land?

39.9%: that is the share of land in protected areas in Tanzania for 2025, according to the UN Environment Programme. Its high point since 2013 was 2024, at 40.0%; its low point was 2013, at 31.9%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 16.9%; Tanzania is 4th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 9th of 192.

What is water stress in Tanzania?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2022, is 13.0%. It has not changed since 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 5.1%, and Tanzania placed 14th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 79th of 175.