Timor-Leste: environment

What are Timor-Leste's carbon dioxide emissions?

Timor-Leste emitted about 0.50 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person in 2024, excluding land use, up from 0.48 tonnes in 2023, according to the World Bank.

The figure covers carbon dioxide from burning fuels and from industry, not other greenhouse gases or emissions from forests and land. National greenhouse gas inventories are reported to the UN climate convention. INETL has also published a subnational children's climate risk index on its website.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Timor-Leste · INETL

Which parts of Timor-Leste face the highest climate risk?

INETL published a Subnational Children's Climate Risk Index and Disaster Risk Model (CCRI-DRM) for Timor-Leste in September 2026, which gives each municipality a score for the climate and disaster risk its children face, according to the CCRI-DRM report, listed on INETL's publication page.

The score combines children's exposure to hazards, such as riverine and coastal flooding, with child vulnerability in health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, protection and social protection. Municipalities are placed in five classes from Very Low to Very High. The report says some municipalities score high mainly because of hazard exposure and others because of child vulnerability. Scores are relative within Timor-Leste, not absolute.

Official sources: INETL: CCRI-DRM report (PDF) · INETL: Subnational Children's Climate Risk Index publication page

What is Timor-Leste's carbon footprint per person?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Timor-Leste was 0.5 tonnes in 2024. The peak was 0.7 tonnes in 2013 and the low 0.3 tonnes in 2008. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.1 tonnes, and Timor-Leste placed 25th highest of 30. Worldwide: 151st of 186.

What are Timor-Leste's total greenhouse gas emissions?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in Timor-Leste was 1.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Its high point since 2005 was 2012, at 2.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; its low point was 2023, at 1.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. East Asia & Pacific median: 45.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Timor-Leste is 20th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 162nd of 186.

How much of Timor-Leste's energy is renewable?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2022, is 11.4%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 18.6%, and Timor-Leste placed 9th highest of 14. World rank, highest first: 37th of 53.

How much of Timor-Leste is forest?

In 2024, forest area as a share of land in Timor-Leste was 71.0%, according to the FAO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 53.6%, and Timor-Leste placed 7th highest of 29. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 16th highest.

How polluted is the air in Timor-Leste?

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Timor-Leste was 12.0 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2011, at 15.6 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2020, at 11.2 micrograms per cubic metre. East Asia & Pacific median: 11.7 micrograms per cubic metre; Timor-Leste is 15th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 139th of 192.

How much of Timor-Leste is in national parks and reserves?

16.1%: that is the share of land in protected areas in Timor-Leste for 2025, according to the UN Environment Programme. That is the highest since at least 2013. It is 13th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 15.8%. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 107th highest.

What is water stress in Timor-Leste?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2022, is 28.3%. It has not changed since 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 13.1%; Timor-Leste is 6th highest of 20. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 55th highest.